So, you have learned to identify your major weed problems. You have done your homework and identified the herbicide necessary to control the weeds in your food plots. You have planned ahead, and you are spraying at the correct time. However, none of this matters if you haven’t calibrated your sprayer! Herbicide application must be precise. Many herbicides are applied in ounces per acre. It is absolutely critical to calibrate your sprayer and know exactly how many gallons of solution you are applying per acre. Once you know how many gallons per acre you are applying, then you simply add the amount of herbicide recommended to the spray mixture. Calibration is relatively easy and should be done every time herbicides are applied because changes in driving speed, nozzle size and spraying pressure will change application rates. Calibrating your sprayer can be done with a few methods. Here is one method taken from the pages of QDMA’s book, Quality Food Plots, and it works for both backpack sprayers and ATV- or tractor-mounted sprayers.

1. Select a driving (or walking) speed that you can easily maintain across the area to be sprayed. 2. Select a spraying pressure – this is usually based on the spray nozzle type used for application. Spraying pressures of 20 to 40 pounds per square inch (psi) are ideal for herbicide application. If the sprayer produces a fine mist of tiny droplets that drift easily, the pressure is too high. Most backpack sprayers are capable of generating pressures of 20 to 40 PSI, and power sprayers can be adjusted easily within this pressure range. 3. Select a nozzle type and size. A 0.2 or 0.3 gallon-per-minute nozzle is usually needed to apply 20 gallons per acre at speeds around 4 mph and spray pressures of about 30 psi. Fan-type nozzles work best for herbicide application. A TeeJet XR8002 or XR8003 is a good nozzle for herbicide application. These nozzles are usually spaced 20 inches apart on a sprayer boom to achieve good broadcast coverage. Backpack sprayers with one nozzle usually spray an effective width of about 20 inches;

they are more efficient if a 4 1/2-foot boom with four nozzles is attached. Note: Sprayer tip descriptions (such as “XR8002”) start with an alphabetic abbreviation, followed by the angle of the spray jet, and the amount of spray output per minute at a given pressure. mld backpack reviewIn XR8002, “80” is the angle of the spray leaving the tip, and “02” is tenths of gallons per minute (gpm) of spray at 40 PSI. reebok 18k backpack wheel bag seniorSo, XR11001 has a 110-degree spray and a 0.1 gpm nozzle.uofa backpack 4. Set up your “calibration course.” woebots backpackTo select the length of the calibration course, divide 340 by the nozzle spacing in feet. backpack takashimaya

A 20-inch nozzle spacing is 1.67 feet, so 340 divided by 1.67 equals 204 feet. This is the length of the calibration course for 20-inch nozzle spacing.mcdonald's backpack saturday tucson 5. Time how long it takes you to walk (for a backpack sprayer) or drive the length of the calibration course. swissgear laptop backpack in pakistanAt 4 mph, it will take about 36 seconds to travel 204 feet. Precise travel speed is important. 6. Catch the spray from one nozzle for the same length of time it takes to travel the calibration course, and measure the amount of spray liquid you collect. The number of ounces is equal to the application rate in gallons per acre. For example: If you collect 22 ounces from a nozzle, the application rate of spray material is 22 gallons per acre. If the calibration rate is more than 25 percent off from the desired rate, change nozzle size to achieve the desired rate.

You can increase or decrease travel speed, but this will either slow down your job or result in speeds that can become unsafe or impractical.this is not something that can be guessed. About the Author: Dr. Craig Harper is a professor of wildlife management and the Extension Wildlife Specialist at the University of Tennessee. Craig conducts research and extension programming on several issues related to Quality Deer Management. He is a Life Member of QDMA and a frequent contributor to Quality Whiteails magazine, and he will be a featured speaker at the 2012 QDMA National Convention and Bass Pro Shops Land & Wildlife Expo.reviews reviews Q&A By: About this item 4-gallon translucent tank20V Black & Decker Lithium Ion battery1.75 hours of spraying Read more… $. Sold & Shipped by Walmart 3-5 days Thu, Feb 2Shipping options Pickup options Shipping Find Shipping costs and free pickup When shipping outside the contiguous United States On freight fees for large or heavy items For city or state sales or recycling taxes, or for other local charges

3-5 days Thu, Feb 2Shipping options Pickup options Compare all 9 sellersCut down on the time spent working in the yard by using a Sprayer, model 63985, with a Chapin Sprayer 63985 4-gallon Wide Mouth with 20V Battery. It uses a lithium ion battery to power the spray and a charger is included. The backpack sprayer is powered by Black & Decker and comes with technical support if you have a problem or question. It can spray for up to 1.75 hours per charge, using up to 50 gallons during that time. The garden sprayer features a mouth that makes it easier to fill and clean when you are done. It also features a cushion grip shut off, a 20" wand and 48" of reinforced hose. Chapin Sprayer model 63985, with a 4-Gallon Wide Mouth and 20V Battery uses a three stage filter and padded straps for comfort. Extra batteries available for backpack sprayer powered by black & decker Can not return by mail Measures: 22.25" L x 9.25" W x 8.7" H Shipping weight: 10.5lbs Due to federal restrictions, this item cannot be returned by mail.

Before returning the item to your local Wal-Mart store, please be certain that all tanks are completely empty of any flammable liquids, if applicable. See our returns policy for more information. Specifications Capacity: 4 gal Contained Battery Type: Lithium Ion Model: 63985 Brand: Chapin Video Game Platform: PC Fabric Content: 100% Multi Condition: New Size: EA Material: Steel||Poly Manufacturer Part Number: 63985 Color: Multicolor Power Type: Batteries Contains Batteries: Y Assembled Product Dimensions (L x W x H): 22.25 x 9.25 x 8.70 Inches Patio & Garden Patio & Garden Gardening & Lawn Care Patio & Garden Gardening & Lawn Care Lawn Care Age 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 and older Gender Male Female Verified purchaser Used it only once but works great. Yes (0) No (0)  Report Yes (0) No (0) Verified purchaser Imagine having full pressure in the tank, as if you just did a full on pump and strained for the last pump, that first spray is full and strong. With this device that strong stream is there from start to finish with no pumping on your part.

I also found that I used less product, it was faster and covered a larger area because of the consistency. Yes (3) No (0)  Report Yes (3) No (0) Great feedback! Thank you for your business, we appreciate it. Does a great job spraying the weeds. Yes (3) No (0)  Report Yes (3) No (0) Thank you for your feedback and for you business, we appreciate it. Verified purchaser Immediately after purchase I did a test run with water. The spray was so weak it barely covered a circle 2 feet in diameter. It made a mist not a spray. All the nozzles that came with it made the same spray pattern. I need a flat rather than circular pattern to cover 500 square feet. Yes (0) No (2)  Report Yes (0) No (2) Hi Hummer. We're sorry to hear you're dissatisfied with your sprayer. It sounds like an o ring may have slipped out of place. Please call our Customer Service Team at 1-800-950-4458 and reference this review. We can help you troubleshoot the sprayer and answer any questions you may have.