ASTM E549-87(1998)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Preparing Field Sprayer Calibration Procedures
Standard Guide for Preparing Field Sprayer Calibration Procedures
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is for those who prepare field sprayer calibration procedures. The purpose is to encourage methods that will improve uniformity, accuracy, and safety of pesticide application with field sprayers.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements see Section 4.
1.3 The values stated in acceptable metric units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact
ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 549 – 87 (Reapproved 1998)
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Guide for
Preparing Field Sprayer Calibration Procedures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 549; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4. Hazards
1.1 This guide is for those who prepare field sprayer 4.1 A cautionary statement for the safe handling, storage,
calibration procedures. The purpose is to encourage methods and disposal of agricultural chemicals shall be included with
that will improve uniformity, accuracy, and safety of pesticide applicator calibration procedures.
application with field sprayers. 4.2 Use water alone to calibrate the sprayer unless the flow
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the rate of the actual spray mixture varies more than 5 % from the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the flow rate of water. (See 5.1.1.2.)
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.3 Calibration with Actual Spray Mixture:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4.3.1 Wear suitable approved safety equipment and protec-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard tive clothing. Avoid contact with the spray.
statements see Section 4. 4.3.2 Avoid contamination of the area. Collect all nozzle
1.3 The values stated in acceptable metric units are to be output. Calibrate only when the wind speed is below 8 km/h (5
regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for mph).
information only.
5. Recommendations
2. Significance and Use
5.1 The volume of spray material applied to a given area
2.1 This guide provides information on the calibration of depends on three variables. Each variable must be determined
boom-type field sprayers used for broadcast, band, or row when developing a specific calibration procedure.
applications. It is easily adapted to boomless and air-carrier 5.1.1 Nozzle Flow Rate—The nozzle flow rate varies with
type sprayers for broadcast applications and to rotary atomizers the following:
such as spinning disks. A single calibration procedure that is 5.1.1.1 Nozzle Capacity—Select the orifice size that will
applicable in all situations is not feasible because of the nature best fit the requirements of application, volume, pressure, and
of the variables involved in pesticide application. Electronic ground speed.
controllers and other aids should be calibrated by one of these 5.1.1.2 Nature of Fluid—If the spray mixture will be altered
methods. considerably by the addition of adjuvants, compare the flow
rate of the mixture to that of water. If the rate difference is 5 %
3. Apparatus
or more, use the actual spray mixture in the calibration.
3.1 Apparatus needed will depend on the method of cali- 5.1.1.3 Fluid Pressure—A constant pressure should be
bration. Common items include the following:
maintained to achieve uniform application. Flow rate is gen-
3.1.1 Measuring Device—Tape of at least 25 m (50 ft) in erally proportional to the square root of the pressure drop
length, or other suitable measuring devices.
across the nozzle.
3.1.2 Marking Devices—Stakes or flags for marking a 5.1.2 Ground Speed of Sprayer—This does not apply to
measured course.
ground-driven pumps. This parameter has an inverse relation-
3.1.3 Container, large enough to collect nozzle output for ship to the spray volume. It is the easiest factor to change for
30 s, and graduated to allow accuracy within 1 %.
minor corrections in the application rate. Ground speed should
3.1.4 Pressure Gage, accurate and of the proper range. be maintained uniformly for uniform application, even when
3.1.5 Timing Device—A watch with a sweep second hand,
ground-driven pumps or electronic controllers are used.
or a stop watch. 5.1.3 Sprayed Width per Nozzle—Calibration procedures
should be used to determine the amount (in litres or gallons) of
liquid applied per unit area (hectare or acre) actually treated
with the agricultural chemical. For band application, the area
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-35 on Pesticides
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E35.22 on Pesticide Formulations
treated is the area in the band and not the area of cropland
and Application Systems.
covered. Some pesticide recommendations are based on the
Current edition approved July 31, 1987. Published September 1987. Originally
area of cropland covered rather than the area actually sprayed.
published as E 549 – 75. Last previous edition E 549 – 75 (1982).
NOTICE:¬This¬standard¬has¬either¬been¬superceded¬and¬replaced¬by¬a¬new¬version¬or¬discontinued.¬
Contact¬ASTM¬International¬(www.astm.org)¬for¬the¬latest¬information.¬
E 549
In these cases, the spray width used in the calibration should be to refill to overflowing after the run. The boom and lines should
based on the row spacing and not on the band width. See Note be full before and after operation. For accurate measurement,
in 7.1. the sprayer must be in exactly the same position (preferably
level) before and after operation. Determine the spray applica-
6. Calibration
tion rate using the equation in 7.2.
6.1 Perform
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