ASTM E549-87(2002)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Preparing Field Sprayer Calibration Procedures
Standard Guide for Preparing Field Sprayer Calibration Procedures
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This guide provides information on the calibration of boom-type field sprayers used for broadcast, band, or row applications. It is easily adapted to boomless and air-carrier type sprayers for broadcast applications and to rotary atomizers such as spinning disks. A single calibration procedure that is applicable in all situations is not feasible because of the nature of the variables involved in pesticide application. Electronic controllers and other aids should be calibrated by one of these methods.
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.
General Information
Relations
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:E549–87 (Reapproved 2002)
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
typesprayersforbroadcastapplicationsandtorotaryatomizers 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 NatureofFluid—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
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E35 on Pesticides and
Alternative ControlAgents and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E35.22
with the agricultural chemical. For band application, the area
on Pesticide Formulations and Delivery Systems.
treated is the area in the band and not the area of cropland
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 2002. Published March 2003. Originally
covered. Some pesticide recommendations are based on the
approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as E 549 – 87 (1998).
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E549–87 (2002)
area of cropland covered rather than the area actually sprayed. before a calibration run; and then measure the amount required
In thesecases,thespraywidthusedinthecalibrationshouldbe torefilltooverflowingaftertherun.Theboomandlinesshould
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 the following basic steps for the calibration of
6.1.6 Recalibration—Recalibration is required period
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.