Applying with a boomspray

• Material compatibility for EASY Liquids fertilisers
• Using a boom spray
• Nozzles
• Foliar Application
• Useful Formulae
• Precautions and Hygiene
• Boom spray Application Tips

Material compatibility for EASY Liquids fertilisers

Materials	EASY N ®	EASY U Sol ®	EASY PK ®	EASY Cal ®	EASY ATS ®	EASY KS ®	Coppersol ®
Pumps
Stainless steel mechanical or Vitron seals	C	C	C	C	C	C	C
Stainless steel or polyethylene impellor and casing	C	C	C	C	C	C	C
Aluminium	A	X	X	A	A	X	X
Carbon or mild steel	S	X	X	S	X	X	X
Brass or copper alloys	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Galvanised	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Valves and Fittings
Class 9 PVC ball valves	C	C	C	C	C	C	C
Stainless steel	C	C	C	C	C	C	C
Polyethylene – check with supplier for suitability	C	C	C	C	C	C	C
Forged steel	C	X	X	C	C	X	X
Aluminium	A	X	X	A	A	X	X
Cast iron or mild steel	S	X	X	S	X	X	X
Brass or copper alloys	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Galvanised	X	X	X	X	X	X	X

 

Materials	Zincsol ®	Mangasol ®	Topfoliar ®
Pumps
Stainless steel mechanical or Vitron seals	C	C	C
Stainless steel or polyethylene impellor and casing	C	C	C
Aluminium	X	X	X
Carbon or mild steel	X	X	X
Brass or copper alloys	X	X	X
Galvanised	X	X	X
Valves and Fittings
Class 9 PVC ball valves	C	C	C
Stainless steel	C	C	C
Polyethylene – check with supplier for suitability	C	C	C
Forged steel	X	X	X
Aluminium	X	X	X
Cast iron or mild steel	X	X	X
Brass or copper alloys	X	X	X
Galvanised	X	X	X

 

* This information relates to the storing and handling of undiluted fertilisers. Dilution may reduce the potential for corrosion.

Sources: The Fluid Fertilizer Manual Vol 2 p 97 Table 5.1 and Incitec Pivot Fertilisers.

C = acceptable if compatible with container and accessories
X = not acceptable because of chemical incompatibility
S = Fittings and couplings used with mild steel tanks should be compatible with mild steel or galvanic corrosion may occur.
A = If aluminium storage is used, then all fittings, piping and pump parts should be aluminium.

Stainless steel or HDPE fittings are the only other materials that can be used in conjunction with aluminium.

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Using a boom spray

Many farmers have access to a boom spray and application tank for controlling weeds and pests. This equipment can also be used to apply EASY Liquids® fertilisers.

Most boom sprays are suitable for EASY Liquids application in their current form. However, minor modifications may be necessary to prevent corrosion where some EASY Liquids are used (check the material compatibility chart at the end of this guide and confirm with the manufacturer).

Due to the corrosive nature of EASY Liquids on brass and galvanised fittings, polypropylene, stainless steel or sintered aluminium components should replace these materials.

A further precaution that may be considered is to coat bare metal on the application vehicle with a ‘primer’ type of paint.

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Nozzles

There are a variety of nozzles that can be used on boom sprays in different shapes, sizes, materials and spray patterns to foliar spray or apply fertilisers to the soil.

The nozzle used is particularly important in the effective distribution and metering of the application.

Nozzles will wear under normal operating conditions and all must be replaced in time, regardless of the material from which they are made. A worn nozzle creates an uneven spray pattern and uneven flow.

Wear usually occurs first towards the edges of the orifice, which tends to concentrate the solution in the centre of the normal spray pattern. This irregular spray pattern, caused by wear or blockage in the tip, can lead to incorrect placement of fertilisers. A nozzle is considered worn if it exceeds the flow rate of a new nozzle by more than 10%.

Changing the pressure can alter the application rate, but this change in pressure also changes the spray droplet size. Increased pressure produces smaller droplets that are more susceptible to drift and can often lead to less accurate spray applications.

A change in application rate can also be achieved by changing travelling speed, but it is usually better to fit nozzles that deliver the correct output rate for the prescribed speed.

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Foliar application

Standard herbicide nozzles:

• Whether herbicide nozzles are flat fan, which deliver fine to medium sized droplets (depending on orifice size), or air-inducted nozzles that deliver a coarser droplet size, both are suitable for pesticide application and for post-emergent foliar application of EASY Liquids.

Flooding type jets:

• Can be used to produce larger spray droplets with even distribution suitable for pre-emergent EASY Liquids. A lower operating pressure may be needed to achieve the required application rate. Flooding jets are also suitable for post-emergent applications of EASY Liquids where the stage of plant growth permits foliar and root uptake of the fertiliser. The large droplets roll off the foliage onto the ground for later root uptake. An added advantage of using flood jets is that only half the number of nozzles is required (using 1 metre spacings).

 

Several different types of spray nozzles are suitable for applying EASY Liquids through a boom spray.

• TeeJet XR Extended Range
• TeeJet Turbo FloodJet
• TeeJet StreamJet SJ-7
• TeeJet StreamJet
• TeeJet StreamJet SJ-3

 

TeeJet, StreamJet, FloodJet and XR TeeJet are members of the ‘Jet’ family of quality spray products and are registered trademarks of Spraying Systems Company.

 

Soil application

Streaming nozzles and dribble bars are used in fertiliser applications where leaf scorch needs to be minimised or spraying conditions are less than ideal (i.e windy and raining).

Streaming nozzles:

• Deliver an even solid stream of solution to the soil, minimising spray drift and leaf contact and allowing higher rates of EASY Liquids to be applied. Streaming nozzles allow directed spraying to a particular target area. These nozzles have the option of a single solid stream, three even solid streams or seven even solid streams.

 

Dribble bars:

• Are designed to attach to an existing nozzle body and deliver an even solid stream of solution to the soil. Dribble bars provide a similar application pattern to streaming nozzles.

Useful formulae

To calculate litres/minute = L/ha x speed x W / 60,000

For example: 50 L/ha x 12 km/hr x 90 cm / 60,000 = 0.9 L/min

To calculate litres/hectare = 60,000 x L/min (per nozzle) / speed x W

 

For example: 60,000 x 2 L/min / 12 km/hr x 90 cm = 111 L/ha

L/min	= litres per minute
L/ha	= litres per hectare
W	= row spacing (in cm) divided by the number of outlets per row
Speed	= distance (m) x 3.6 / time (seconds) (km/hr)

To calculate the number of hectares applied per tank fill:

tank capacity / output in L/ha

 

To calculate the number of litres of EASY Liquid to fill each tank:

number of sprayed hectares per tank fill x rate per hectare

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Precautions and hygiene

• Check that the boom spray and components are made from materials compatible with the EASY Liquids being used. Plastic or stainless steel fittings are preferred. See the material compatibility list or check with the manufacturer.
• All traces of previous chemicals should be washed from the boom spray before EASY Liquids are used. Confirm the appropriate method for decontaminating your boom spray with the chemical supplier.
• It is a good idea to apply a protective material before using the machine, such as truck wash (50/50 dilution in water), lanolin protective spray or degreaser (neat).
• Wash down the sprayer if the machine is sitting idle for more than six hours.
• Only use low pressure water to wash down boom sprays.
• Treat personal hygiene with every caution, as with handling chemicals. Wear protective clothing and glasses.
• Check all fittings for leaks with water before filling the sprayer.
• Ensure all electrical wiring is well insulated.

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Boom spray application tips

• Start the flow of solution at the beginning of the row and continue it through to the end. If impossible to apply over the full length of the row, cover the ends separately.
• Drive in straight rows and avoid excessive speed, as it can cause inaccuracy and raise dust. With post-emergent application, streaming nozzles and dropper hoses can reduce the incidence of scorch on young plants by applying the liquid down in the row.
• Check the level of the tank frequently to avoid running out of liquid in the middle of a run.
• Check the total output against the area covered regularly to be certain the rate applied is correct. (To do this, the amount of liquid in the tank when starting must be known.)

 

For further information, contact your local Incitec Pivot Fertilisers’ Distributor or freecall 1800 009 832.

www.incitecpivot.com.au

This is a guide only, which we hope you find helpful as a general tool. While Incitec Pivot Fertilisers has taken all reasonable care in the preparation of this guide, it should not be relied on as a substitute for tailored professional advice and Incitec Pivot Fertilisers accepts no liability in connection with this guide. Talk to your local Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Distributor Agronomist about soil testing and arranging a specific fertiliser recommendation that best suits your needs.

® EASY Liquids, EASY N, EASY U Sol, EASY PK, EASY Cal, EASY ATS and EASY KS are registered trademarks of Incitec Pivot Limited. ® Coppersol, Zincsol, Mangasol and Topfoliar are registered trademarks of Top Australia Limited.

Incitec Pivot Fertilisers is a business of Incitec Pivot Limited, ABN 42 004 080 264.

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