Sprayer Pressure gauge Cancel The title field is required!

1. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   2/25/2016 9:02 AM

   Just double checking, how does everyone know how accurate your sprayer pressure gauge is?
   
   I'm guessing by checking the nozzle output of new spray nozzles? That will also tell me if my monitor is reading correctly? as well I have a Toro 1250 from 2004. Using the 1/4TTJ10 VS light blue nozzles. I do have a brand new set of flat fan 8008's on my booms, looking at the charts, I do not know why I have those, except to think they would provide a better pattern for herbicides, they are so close in volume to the J10's?
   
   I have always looked at my pressure gauge and the setting was very low, maybe 20-25 psi now that I really looked at it. After that discussion on how low spray volumes people go, I decided to do a little checking, noting that I could not adjust my GPA down late in the season which usually indicates worn nozzles.
   
   Have to wonder, if I had been spraying such low pressures if that had affected my pesticide efficiency? It didn't appear to as my weeds would die, my dollar spot would disappear, and everything seemed to be working properly.
   
   Thanks!
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
2. Corey Eastwood

   

   80 posts
   
   2/25/2016 11:02 AM

   Melvin
   I kept a expensive gauge in my office to verify pressures. Put it on sprayer and set to desired pressure. Then replace it with the stock gauge. If it is off a little use a permanent marker to draw a line on that gauge. If the needle goes off the line you can repeat the process with a new cheap gauge.

   
   Corey Eastwood CGCS, Stockton Golf & CC, Retired
   
   
3. Rocky Tharp

   

   0 posts
   
   2/25/2016 9:02 PM

   I believe the air induction nozzles are the most sensitive to pressures and need to run above 40psi to work correctly. We just got a brand new Multipro 1750 and I was having my doubts about the pressure gauge being accurate so I did as you said and tested the average nozzle output with three sets of different brand new tee jet nozzles and made sure the output matched the nozzle charts. I tested air induction, flat fan, and turfjet nozzles and got the same result for each so I knew the gauge was correct. I've found that the tee jet charts can be trusted and are usually spot on. It's also important to check the charts to see if the performance data is with or without nozzle screens as I believe this might alter your results.
   
   Rocky Tharp
   Interbay GC
   Seattle, WA

   
   
   
   
4. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   2/26/2016 8:02 AM

   Rocky Tharp said: I believe the air induction nozzles are the most sensitive to pressures and need to run above 40psi to work correctly. We just got a brand new Multipro 1750 and I was having my doubts about the pressure gauge being accurate so I did as you said and tested the average nozzle output with three sets of different brand new tee jet nozzles and made sure the output matched the nozzle charts. I tested air induction, flat fan, and turfjet nozzles and got the same result for each so I knew the gauge was correct. I've found that the tee jet charts can be trusted and are usually spot on. It's also important to check the charts to see if the performance data is with or without nozzle screens as I believe this might alter your results.
   
   Rocky Tharp
   Interbay GC
   Seattle, WA

   
   
   Thanks!
   
   I should mention that I feel my monitor is working correctly as my acreage always comes out the same, even as my GPA goes up as my nozzles wear. I need to get back to checking nozzles more often.
   
   I remember working as an assistant we would use a Smithco 100 gallon sprayer in a Cushman that I would have to check nozzle output every time we put the sprayer into the Cushman.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
5. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   3/14/2016 2:03 PM

   an update on spray nozzles/pressure.
   
   Did a catch test on older TTJ10's they were coming out real close at .75 gallons per minute. Pressure gauge appears to be about 25 psi, odd that the gauge it seems as it appears per markings that I am running at 15 psi. But when I do a run, I am putting out 78 (chart 78.2) gpa in 1st gear and 48 (chart 46.9) gpa in second, right where it is suppose to be at 25 psi.
   
   I switch my nozzles over to the TTJ05 (I have those 3 on one turrets) and in first gear I put down 55 gpa (chart says it should be 40 psi) and in second gear I put out 35 gpa (chart says it should be 23.8), by going off the chart of what I am putting out, it indicates my pressure is now in the 50 to 60 psi range.
   
   It is just odd that is what I am seeing.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
6. Riley Ryan

   
   3/14/2016 5:03 PM

   There could be some line loss between where the gauge is and the tip itself. I have put a pressure gauge on a nozzle body with a Y type nozzle cap that has a gauge on one side and the nozzle other side of the Y to see what your actual spray pressure is at the tip. Or the gauge on your sprayer could be not working correctly. Take the pressure gauge off and run clean water through the hose to ensure there is not a clog in the pressure line, also try putting another gauge on.

   
   
   
   
7. Ronald Conard

   

   4 posts
   
   3/15/2016 9:03 AM

   Melvin Waldron, CGCS said: an update on spray nozzles/pressure.
   
   Did a catch test on older TTJ10's they were coming out real close at .75 gallons per minute. Pressure gauge appears to be about 25 psi, odd that the gauge it seems as it appears per markings that I am running at 15 psi. But when I do a run, I am putting out 78 (chart 78.2) gpa in 1st gear and 48 (chart 46.9) gpa in second, right where it is suppose to be at 25 psi.
   
   I switch my nozzles over to the TTJ05 (I have those 3 on one turrets) and in first gear I put down 55 gpa (chart says it should be 40 psi) and in second gear I put out 35 gpa (chart says it should be 23.8), by going off the chart of what I am putting out, it indicates my pressure is now in the 50 to 60 psi range.
   
   It is just odd that is what I am seeing.
   
   Mel

   
   
   
   How often are you cleaning your flow meter? I've gone too long before and at the higher flows it seemed to be more accurate but when going at a lower GPA it really through things off.

   
   
   
   
8. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   3/15/2016 7:03 PM

   Ronald Conard, CGCS said:

   Melvin Waldron, CGCS said: an update on spray nozzles/pressure.
   
   Did a catch test on older TTJ10's they were coming out real close at .75 gallons per minute. Pressure gauge appears to be about 25 psi, odd that the gauge it seems as it appears per markings that I am running at 15 psi. But when I do a run, I am putting out 78 (chart 78.2) gpa in 1st gear and 48 (chart 46.9) gpa in second, right where it is suppose to be at 25 psi.
   
   I switch my nozzles over to the TTJ05 (I have those 3 on one turrets) and in first gear I put down 55 gpa (chart says it should be 40 psi) and in second gear I put out 35 gpa (chart says it should be 23.8), by going off the chart of what I am putting out, it indicates my pressure is now in the 50 to 60 psi range.
   
   It is just odd that is what I am seeing.
   
   Mel

   
   
   
   How often are you cleaning your flow meter? I've gone too long before and at the higher flows it seemed to be more accurate but when going at a lower GPA it really through things off.

   
   
   I probably don't clean as much as I should, I did check it yesterday and it was pretty darn clean.
   
   I went back today and checked my distance calculation and it was still good. I did check my flow meter calculator that measures volume. There I found it was off by a good margin. I reset it to the proper volume and all nozzles checked out back out to what they were supposed to be. As I think back to last fall, I noticed volumes were starting to be a little off, I guess after 10+ years I should have been checked on calibrations more often.
   
   Thanks,
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO