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Re: [compost_tea] Q's: Applying Compost Tea
Hi Kevin
What are you towing the sprayer with? - 325 gallons is quite a weight depending
on what you are using and also what you are driving over. You will also
need to factor in the weight of whatever the tank is sitting on.
I have my sprayer on the 3 point hitch of my tractor driven by the PTO.
I have a diaphram pump 14 gpm and either 200-400psi - I forget which.
Works well. I mounted a mast sprayer that goes up 15' with 8 spray nozzles,
and can be lifted out and used as a boom sprayer.
You don't need an air compressor to drive a diaphram pump - just a drive
source such as the tractor PTO or say an 11hp Honda motor. A 5 gpm pump
is quite a small pump particularly for a 325 gallon tank. I think you would
be better to go for a bigger pump particularly if you are using a boom -
the 5 gpm will not feed many nozzles. If the pump is running but you are
not spraying then a release valve recycles the extra back into the tank.
An air source of some sort may be desirable to keep the CT aerated while
you are setting up and spraying - depends on the time there will be between
getting the CT from your brewer until your are finished spraying.
In addition to the mast sprayer I have a wand on a long hose for doing those
one off jobs. And I put a 1" drain on the bottom of my tank that runs to
a garden hose fitting. This allows me to do a soil drench without running
the brew through the pump, and a gravity fed line is a lot more peaceful
than blasting away with a pressure pump. Also makes cleaning a lot easier.
So in all I have three ways to get the CT out - and I use all three.
I got a lot of help from my local feed store that sells farm accessories.
Try talking with someone like that or a tractor dealer. Even if you are
not using a tractor, the farm equipment people will have a lot of experience
with spraying.
Finally, watch out for the commercial spray tanks. The ones I saw had molded
feet so there would always be small amount of liquid in them - maybe not
a problem for chemicals but a real bear for those of us using compost tea
that we don't want turning anaerobic. I held out and eventually got a round
flat bottomed 200 gallon tank. I firgured that would be fine for my tractor
because my 3 point hitch is rated at 2,240lbs. But I forgot to allow for
the weight of the pump and the steel frame to hold the tank! I had the frame
custom made and the guy built it like a sherman tank - easily a 1,000lbs
. Then the pump is a good 40lbs. Result? - I can only put 100 gallons
in the tank :-D Well
we live and learn <grin>
Don't rush into this - think carefully about what you are trying to achieve
then get advice about how to get there. I do recommend the three different
ways of getting your CT out of the sprayer - the interchangeable mast/boom;
a wand; and a drain for gravity feeding and cleaning.
Hope this helps.
Jason
kevin john richardon wrote:
Glen~
Thanks for responding. Good advice. I would like to set up and spray at
will!, so I think I will be investing in a 325 gal tank (best I can match
to my payload and remain trailerless; although the decision is also based
on current local availability ), spray at about 5 gpm (to get an acre out
of my dilution and meet percieved time requirements), which will determine
the legnth of my necessary spray bredth.
Now if I could decide on a diaphram pump, engine and air compressor (does
one necessarily need air compression to drive a diaphram) that will allow
me to dial in flow, psi, and gpm, I would be getting somewhere! maybe? By
the way it would be awesome to configure a system which will be compatible
with a behind the cab style boom!
What type of equipment do you use to spray?
ciao~ kev
On Thu, 29 May 2003 14:25:51 -0000 growest2002 <g.w.thomson@shaw.ca>
wrote:
<html><body>
<tt>
Kevin-maybe I can give my 1 cents worth on soil drenching.<BR>
<BR>
As you pointed out, adding a reasonable "depth" of water
to an acre<BR>
of <BR>
land involves enormous amounts of water. And yes, this water should
<BR>
be dechlorinated from what everyone has shared on this list.<BR>
<BR>
My tiny bit of experience this year has led me personally to use our <BR>
spring rains to soak in these soil drenches, rather than trying to<BR>
add <BR>
enough carrier water to move the AACT into the root zone.<BR>
<BR>
By watching the weather forecast, along with the very wet spring we <BR>
have had in the Pacific Northwest (south of you tho!) I've been able <BR>
to drench soil and nursery containers prior to or during 1/2 to 1 in. <BR>
rainfall events here. So much faster and more effective than trying
<BR>
to provide those thousands of gallons of dechlorinated water myself.<BR>
<BR>
I'm just not sure I'd try to duplicate that now that the substantial <BR>
rains are done till fall...just plan on doing all the soil drench <BR>
during the spring or after fall rains have started.<BR>
<BR>
This isn't applicable to other areas with quite different weather <BR>
patterns, but wonder what others in the wet coast applying tea think <BR>
of my take on this.<BR>
<BR>
And thanks Kevin for bringing this subject up. An acre inch is
that <BR>
much water...I know I'll never be able to apply that economically and <BR>
get paid enough to do it!<BR>
<BR>
Glen<BR>
<BR>
--- In compost_tea@yahoogroups.com, "kevin john richardon"
<BR>
<kmagic@b...> wrote:<BR>
> Howdy Pards,<BR>
> <BR>
> I am slightly embarrassed (but not really, cause I make mistakes
a <BR>
lot) to have been eronious with data in my firstever letter to yall.<BR>
> <BR>
> The real numbers are (I asked a farmer; they know their stuff):<BR>
> <BR>
> 1 Acre inch = 27,154 gallons<BR>
> <BR>
> 1/8 Acre inch = 3400 gallons = .07805 / 1 sq. ft.<BR>
> it seems impracticle to equip myself to bring this volume of water
<BR>
with me. I think this volume would be extremely challenging for
me<BR>
to <BR>
spray in a reasonable legnth of time to remain economically viable.<BR>
> <BR>
> My target application rate is 1 Acre per Hour.<BR>
> <BR>
> 1/32 Acre inch = 850 gal = .01951 gal / 1 sq.ft. <BR>
>
= 14.16 gpm flow (1 Hr) <BR>
> 1/64 Acre inch = 425 gal = .00975 gal / 1 sq.ft. <BR>
>
= 7.083 gpm flow (1Hr)<BR>
> Application approximate to these ratios of volume to area seem
more <BR>
practicle. I believe I can configure to achieve a flow that fits
my <BR>
arbitrary yet critical criterion of time. <BR>
> <BR>
> Among the questions are: <BR>
> Does application of compost tea at a ration of this volume of water
<BR>
support the water requirements of the microbes? Will the application
<BR>
result in desired effects? Is the volume great enough to be <BR>
considered a root drench? Would supplemental watering be necessary,
<BR>
immediately?<BR>
> <BR>
> Or is there equipment available (configurations) capable of putting
<BR>
down more water (gpm) during application? <BR>
> <BR>
> Specifications to consider:<BR>
> *It has been suggested to me that a diaphram pump has the gentlest,
<BR>
least violent action on the microbes.<BR>
> <BR>
> *The Brewing manual suggests 100 psi up to 600 psi is acceptable
to <BR>
transport microbes, yet microbes should contact surfaces at no more <BR>
than 20 - 80 psi.<BR>
> <BR>
> *Gallons Per Minute Flow<BR>
> *Total water Volume per Acre<BR>
> <BR>
> I am attempting to configure a Compost Tea Spraying Truck (truck
<BR>
specs: 2001 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax Diesel (454 cu.in., 6.0 turbo), <BR>
Alison 5 speed Transmission, 6.5 ft. box, 3200lbs. payload; 12000<BR>
lbs. <BR>
tow capacity) with Hand operated wand-type spraying as well as boom <BR>
operated spraying capabilities. <BR>
> <BR>
> Seems like a trailer may need to be considered to enter system
<BR>
configurations to meet water demands.<BR>
> <BR>
> I would also like to explore possibilities of incorporating a <BR>
proportionate pump.<BR>
> <BR>
> Thank you for your time and consideration, everyone.<BR>
> <BR>
> Best Regards,<BR>
> <BR>
> Kevin John Richardson<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
</tt>
<br>
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Kevin John Richardson
Local Solutions
19025 Villages Scenic Pkwy
Anchorage, AK 99516
(907) 522 0679 Land
auto forwards to :
(907) 317 8455 Cell
kmagic@backpacker.com
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