Technical


Visitors to this year’s PitchFocus event, held at the Headingley Carnegie Stadium in Leeds, were given a first- hand demonstration in sprayer set-u


up and checks to help


achieve consistent and accurate application.


Tom Robinson


Syngenta Application Specialist, Tom Robinson, explains what to look for and what steps to take before the sprayer gets out on the pitch or golf course


Droopy Boom Syndrome


Set up for accurate application


Check pipes for wear


first stage in hitting the intended target and achieving desired consistent coverage. Firstly, undertake a good visual check all round the sprayer. Make sure nothing has been bent or broken whilst it has been stored in the shed; it is certainly not unheard of for nozzle units to have been bent or broken off. If the machine is dirty or dusty, give it a


A Tyre pressure check 130 I PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014


wash off prior to checking its condition. Washing should ideally be in a designated filling area and any run off collected for safe disposal, in case there were any spray residues on the outside of the tank. Otherwise, wash on a safe area of ground where washings will not run into a water course or drainage ditch. With a clean machine, make a close inspection of all the hoses for signs of wear, paying particular attention to where booms have folded over and may have rubbed or


ny turf spray treatment, for nutrition, disease control or growth regulation, is only ever as good as the accuracy with which it is applied. Sprayer set up is the


Low-drift Syngenta XC Nozzles on right versus standard flat fan nozzles on left


pinched a hose during transit. In worst case situations, the rubber coating could have worn through to expose the sheath, which is a must to be urgently replaced to avoid a potentially catastrophic burst. It is worth checking that, when the booms


are folded, no hoses are under tension, which could put extra strain on connection clips and lead to leaks. The next step is to check that the tyre


pressures are correct and even. Ideally, the pressure wants to be operating as low as the tyre manufacturer permits for the weight of sprayer being carried (when full). Most importantly, the pressure must be exactly equal on each side, especially the rear tyres. This can make a really significant impact on achieving a level boom. Having established the sprayer looks in


good condition, park on a flat surface and open out the booms. Looking from the side of the tractor, and with the central nozzles at 50cm height from the ground, check that the sprayer is vertical. If a sprayer is tilted backwards, it will put


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