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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:
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<tt>
Kevin-maybe I can give my 1 cents worth on soil drenching.<BR>
<BR>
As you pointed out, adding a reasonable &quot;depth&quot; of water to an acre<BR>
of <BR>
land involves enormous amounts of water.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; 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, &quot;kevin john richardon&quot; <BR>
&lt;kmagic@b...&gt; wrote:<BR>
&gt; Howdy Pards,<BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; 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>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; The real numbers are (I asked a farmer; they know their stuff):<BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; 1 Acre inch = 27,154 gallons<BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; 1/8 Acre inch = 3400 gallons = .07805 / 1 sq. ft.<BR>
&gt; it seems impracticle to equip myself to bring this volume of water <BR>
with me.&nbsp; 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>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; My target application rate is 1 Acre per Hour.<BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; 1/32 Acre inch = 850 gal = .01951 gal / 1 sq.ft. <BR>
&gt;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; = 14.16 gpm flow (1 Hr) <BR>
&gt; 1/64 Acre inch = 425 gal = .00975 gal / 1 sq.ft. <BR>
&gt;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; = 7.083 gpm flow (1Hr)<BR>
&gt; Application approximate to these ratios of volume to area seem more <BR>
practicle.&nbsp; I believe I can configure to achieve a flow that fits my <BR>
arbitrary yet critical criterion of time.&nbsp; <BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; Among the questions are:&nbsp; <BR>
&gt; Does application of compost tea at a ration of this volume of water <BR>
support the water requirements of the microbes?&nbsp; Will the application <BR>
result in desired effects?&nbsp; Is the volume great enough to be <BR>
considered a root drench?&nbsp; Would supplemental watering be necessary, <BR>
immediately?<BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; Or is there equipment available (configurations) capable of putting <BR>
down more water (gpm) during application?&nbsp; <BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; Specifications to consider:<BR>
&gt; *It has been suggested to me that a diaphram pump has the gentlest, <BR>
least violent action on the microbes.<BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; *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>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; *Gallons Per Minute Flow<BR>
&gt; *Total water Volume per Acre<BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; 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.&nbsp; <BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; Seems like a trailer may need to be considered to enter system <BR>
configurations to meet water demands.<BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; I would also like to explore possibilities of incorporating a <BR>
proportionate pump.<BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; Thank you for your time and consideration, everyone.<BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; Best Regards,<BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; Kevin John Richardson<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
</tt>

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Kevin John Richardson
Local Solutions
19025 Villages Scenic Pkwy
Anchorage, AK 99516
(907) 522 0679 Land
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kmagic@backpacker.com




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