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| Common question for sure. Unfortunately it is a loaded question as well as there are a lot of factors that will change how long.
Generally for Wilger tips, I'll get guys to test a few on each section after the second year of using them (as long as you aren't spraying 50,000 acres/year on a sprayer, they should still be within 10%).
If you test a few on each section, and all the wear rates are pretty darn close, then the tips between should also be pretty good. Again, always best to test each individual, but time is always a factor as well.
If you find the nozzles on each section are flowing much different from eachother (e.g. some are out 2%, some are out 10%, some are out -4% (e.g. plug/buildup), then test more thoroughly.
If the nozzles are flowing in the realm of like 8% out for flow consistently, that'd just mean you keep an eye for sales on nozzles for next year.
As far as calibrating the nozzles, a few ways to do it. Ideally you can get a solid 40PSI to test with, as it makes the nozzle test easier.
Each nozzle in the name of it will have the -04 or -03 (Blue) etc in the name. This is the flow rate in us gallons/minute at 40PSI (so, an -03 should put out 0.3 us gallons/minute at 40PSI)
Sprayers 101 has a few good guides comparing different ways to calibrate (via tools/etc): https://sprayers101.com/measure-nozzle-flow/
Highlight: Don't use the graduated measuring cups or anything made of plastic, as shrink/expand/marking error might mean it is out 10% before you even started.
Weighing the liquid is pretty consistent, and is easier than trying to read a level beaker/etc. With a scale that is accurate enough, you'd just fill a bucket and dump over and over. Only headache is lugging a table or something flat to keep it all on.
Testing the nozzles does NOT really have to be done on the sprayer. So if it is easier, pull them off and test in the shop. If you are getting like 40PSI water pressure by coincidence, that'd make it even easier. Since we want to determine that the NOZZLE is good, we don't want to accidently introduce error if your sprayer section is actually like 3PSI short of 40PSI just due to plumbing/etc.
As far as wear factors that make it a hard thing to give a fixed # on acres sprayed:
1. Water quality - huge factor in nozzle wear.
2. Wettable powders - wettable powders mixed in poorly will have more grit and hurt the nozzles more. Ideally soak/mix the wettables in a 5 gal bucket before you add them to the spray tank to help minimize the sediment.
3. Pressures sprayed at - Higher pressures will wear a nozzle more than lower pressures.
4. Volume sprayed- If you are spraying more volume out of the nozzle, that is more/less flow out of the nozzle, so might see more/less flow. Again, this isn't a reason to chince on water volumes at all, but just a heads up. Like a set of nozzles spraying 5GPA for 20,000 acres might be in the realm of 1/4 of the wear as a 20GPA for 20,000 acres. Again, might not be a linear wear or anything like that, but it'd be a bit of a factor.
Anyways, depending on the material of the nozzle, might check every year a few on each section to see relative wear rate and go from there. If things are wonky, might have to test each nozzle separately to see if it is time to replace in-season.
-Lucas | |
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When do you replace your spray tips?
