MACADAMIAS
- THE SMALLER GROWER AND A SECOND LOOK
AT SPRAYING WITHOUT AIR ASSISTANCE.
Here's the link to the previous
posting.
These pictures show the inter-row
spacing and the foliage density.
On the previous occasion the AIC -05
and -06 capacities were tested .
(REFER PAGE 10 - TEEJET CAT 51A-M OR PG
8 CATALOGUE 51 -M)
This time, smaller capacity Air Induction flat-fans were
tested and these failed to penetrate the canopy. The maximum
pressure achieved was 10 bar.
THE PROBLEM'S NOT OUTSIDE IT'S INSIDE.
Not much getting through. See the
pics below. The WS cards were placed at 1 metre centres on aluminium tubes starting 1 metre above ground level.
Ignore the spot on the card at 5 metres; probably the sweat from my brow.
Two points worth mentioning. When
placing the aluminium tubes extremely dense trees were
selected.
The pump, a Wanner Hydracell D10
with an X camshaft capable of pressures up to 70 bar delivers only 30
liters per minute at 1450 rpm. UNFORTUNATELY
THIS SETUP PROVED TO BE TOO SMALL TO TEST A FULL SET OF BIGGER
CAPACITY SPRAY-TIPS.
THE AIM WAS TO TEST AIR INDUCTION
NOZZLE-TIPS TO SEE IF THE CANOPY COULD BE PENETRATED.
Because
the smaller capacity AIC's failed to penetrate the canopy I decided
to test the big Adjustable Conejets. Here's the link.
Here are a few pics showing the
arrangement and the spraying.
NOTE:
GIVEN THE PUMP LIMITS, THE ADJUSTABLE CONEJETS (AC) WERE SPACED ON
THE VERTICAL BOOM AS PER THE PICTURES. THE SPLIT-EYELETS ON THIS
WET BOOM ARRANGEMENT ARE SPACED AT 50 CM CENTRES. THE INITIAL
PRESSURE WAS SET AT 10 BAR AND THE CONEJETS ADJUSTED TO JUST ABOUT
THEIR MAXIMUM ANGLE.
A general shot of the spraying. It is
clear one would need additional AC's in this particular orchard where
trees are planted 5.5 m x 3m. The left picture shows good overlap but the lower nozzle-tip size is too small in my opinion. The pressure was reduced to 8 bar from 10 bar and the AC adjusted (right pic)to create bigger droplets and improve penetration.
Here the overlap is adequate with good
canopy penetration. Selection of the nozzle-tip sizes will be
critical. Pressure on the guage -- 10 bar.
The pressure was reduced to 8 bar and
lowest AC adjusted or "opened" to reduce the angle and
increase the droplet size to achieve better penetration with less
drift. The overlap is inadequate.
Inter-row spacing is a major problem. INTERNAL DISTRIBUTION WILL BE UNEVEN BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH OVERLAP. See the results below. These however are minor problems.
THE RESULTS - Intial set-up at 10 bar.
THE RESULTS
SUMMARY:
AIR
INDUCTION FLAT FANS Without
air assistance the smaller capacity Air Induction Flat Fans
operating at 10 bar(AIC - 02 through -04) did not adequately
penetrate the dense Macadamia canopy.
ADJUSTABLE
CONEJETS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!
These need to be mounted on a vertical
STEEL DRY BOOM EQUIPPED WITH HOSE SHANK NOZZLE BODIES AND CLAMPS
which will allow for variable spacing.
WARNING :
WITHOUT AIR ASSISTANCE JUST BE CAREFUL WHEN USING
SMALL CAPACITY CONE TIPS AT HIGH PRESSURES (20 BAR OR MORE) AS THEY
PRODUCE ALOT OF FINE DROPLETS WHICH DO NOT APPEAR TO PENETRATE THE
DENSE MACADAMIA CANOPY. THE FOLIAGE APPEARS TO ACT AS A "SOLID"
BUFFER ZONE. I.E. THE DROPLETS FLOW WITH THE LEAST LINE OF RESISTANCE.
JUST AN OBSERVATION.
Next time I'll take a look at other conejets and arangements..
Tel Intl. +27 83 289 0327
Tel Natl. 083 289 0327
chemicon@multispray.com
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