Micron Technology Turbofan - Manual (Page 18)

DRAFT
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4.4 Testing
Any new sprayer must be tested to ensure the following:
1. That the sprayheads all rotate at the correct speed.
2. That the chemical flow from each sprayhead is equal and that the flow can be
adjusted over the full range required.
3. That the sprayheads are correctly positioned to give the required coverage without
any tendency to ‘striping’. No spray droplets should be blown towards the operator
or onto the structure of the sprayer.
Full details of the procedures to achieve the above are given in the Section 5,
(‘OPERATION’) and Section 7 (‘CALIBRATION’) sections of this handbook.
5.0 OPERATION
As with all sprayers, optimum results will only be obtained from a machine fitted with
Turbofan Sprayheads if it is correctly calibrated, operated and maintained.
It is important that every operator who uses Micron sprayheads is completely familiar
with their calibration and use. The following sections emphasise points of particular
importance.
5.1 Daily inspection
All parts of the sprayer should be checked at least once a day. A complete check list for
the sprayheads is included in the Maintenance section of this Handbook. However,
particular attention must be paid to the condition of the atomiser discs, chemical
feedpipes and restrictors and all hydraulic hoses and fittings. All atomisers must run
smoothly without vibration.
5.2 Calibration
Procedure
Before use, the sprayer must be calibrated for application rate. Full details are given in
the Section 7 (‘CALIBRATION’). It is important to note that the graphs and tables are
based on performance with water and are intended only as a guide. Actual performance
will vary according to the type and formulation of chemical being used. It is therefore
vital that the calibration of the system is checked whenever a new chemical is used.
5.3 Position
of Sprayheads
The position and angle of sprayheads must be checked and adjusted as necessary before
use. When sprayheads are mounted on a boom, the boom height must be adjusted to suit
the crop being sprayed. See Section 4.1 (‘Mounting of Sprayheads’) for details of
recommended positions and angles of sprayheads.
When a sprayer is used for the first time on a new crop, the coverage of spray droplets on
the foliage should be checked to ensure that the sprayheads are correctly positioned.
The coverage can sometimes be assessed visually if the colour of the active material
leaves a clearly defined droplet (as with some fungicides). However, it is preferable to
place water sensitive papers in the foliage and to check the coverage by the droplet
density on the papers. Alternatively, a fluorescent dye can be added to the spray mixture