[Apple-Crop] sprayer calibration debate

Thu Mar 2 10:56:10 EST 2017

I have done something similar to Con.  A spreadsheet factoring in the various blocks row spacing and TRV dilute gallons per acre.   I have found ground speed to be an effective way to make the necessary adjustments.   In one block I idle along at 1700 rpms and move enough air to get good coverage.  We also spray both sides for better coverage. 

Art Kelly
Kelly Orchards
Acton, Maine

-------- Original message --------
From: "Con.Traas" <Con.Traas at ul.ie> 
Date: 03/02/2017  10:35 AM  (GMT-05:00) 
To: 'Apple-Crop discussion list' <apple-crop at virtualorchard.com> 
Subject: Re: [Apple-Crop] sprayer calibration debate 

Hello John,
I think it is a little tricky to make a formula, so I have made up a simple Excel spreadsheet.
If you are dealing with trees at 18 x 8 as you say, then you would drive 2408 feet to spray your acre of 331 trees (8 feet x 331 trees = 2645 feet - I have adjusted your figure of 300 per acre to 331 as that is how many trees you will get per acre at your selected spacing). As a mile is 5280 feet, you are driving 0.50 miles to the acre.
So if you are driving at 2.4mph (for example), it will take you 12.5 minutes to spray your acre. (0.46/2.4*60)
And if you are spraying 9 gallons per minute (for example), your gallons per acre would be 112.7

Con (Cornelius) Traas
Department of Biological Sciences, (and The Apple Farm)
University of Limerick.
Ph: 061-202905
M: 086-6091998
T: @theapplefarmer

From: apple-crop [mailto:apple-crop-bounces at virtualorchard.com] On Behalf Of John Bruguiere
Sent: 02 March 2017 14:16
To: apple-crop at virtualorchard.com
Subject: Re: [Apple-Crop] sprayer calibration debate

Hello all, need some healthy practical advice on sprayer calibration.  Specifically air blast sprayers.  For decades we have measured a block of trees to determine acreage, sprayed out tank and determined gallons per acre based on what area was covered in tank. For example trees planted at 8 x 18 spacing gave us 300 trees to acre, we sprayed out tank, counted trees and determined that our sprayer puts out 2.5 acres per tank.  we used this  to determine amount of material to put in the tank etc. All the calibration formulas , I have seen require tree row volume(height x row spacing) to be part of equation.  I have 4-5 different spacings in 100 acres of orchard which makes it more of a headache to constantly figure gallons per acre and spray materials needed in each different block(thus the reason we simply measured trees per acre). I know my speed , i know my gallons per minute but can't find an equation that converts this to gallons per acre without tree row volume.

need a simple but effective solution...any takers?

in Virginia we have plums in full bloom, fantasia and red gold nectarines in pink and some open blooms, 21 degrees forecasted on friday and saturday night.

God Bless,

John Bruguiere

Dickie Bros. Orchard

On 1/30/2017 6:36 PM, Arthur Kelly wrote:
I agree Mo.  We try and remove trees every year and plant every year.  I did use the word can to hedge the productive life of a block.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 30, 2017, at 5:48 PM, maurice tougas <appleman.maurice at gmail.com> wrote:

Art

I agree that it's great to be out pruning. I disagree that you should expect a longer productive life with high density systems. My goal here is to be looking at replanting when the orchard reaches twenty years or so. New varieties, strains of varieties and improved planting system encourage 5% renewal in my opinion. 

My best to you
Mo Tougas

On Mon, Jan 30, 2017 at 1:27 PM, George Greene <cortland9 at icloud.com> wrote:
Art:

Your comment makes sense to me.  Right now I have a cold and I fell on the ice on Dec. 29th and I am still suffering.  Pt may help but it may take a while.

I suppose that you are enjoying the warmer weather.

Be well, George

On Jan 30, 2017, at 12:43 PM, kellyorchards <kellyorchards at gmail.com> wrote:

Ruminations after a morning pruning.  The weather is ideal.  The temps are in the high 20's, the wind is light and the sun is shining.  Weather like this is why we live here.  Permanent limbs ultimately and inevitably get too large.  This is why high density systems can have a longer productive life than less dense orchards.

Art Kelly
Kelly Orchards
Acton, Maine
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George Greene
68 Willow Lane
Wiscasset, ME 04578
207-882-8074
cortland9 at icloud.com

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--
Maurice Tougas
Tougas Family Farm
Northborough,MA 01532
508-450-0844
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