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RE: [compost_tea] Q's: Applying Compost Tea



Title: Message
Check out the sprayer kits at www.rittenhouse.ca
-----Original Message-----
From: kevin john richardon [mailto:kmagic@backpacker.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 6:16 PM
To: compost_tea@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [compost_tea] Q's: Applying Compost Tea

Hey Mike Bosco, Jason came up pretty big for us,huh?!? Thanks for the input, Jason.  Many times, It's the little things.  Suggestions like these should make for a totally tricked out sprayer! Thank you. On Thu, 29 May 2003 15:00:31 -0700 Jason Austin <jason.austin@shaw.ca> wrote: 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 &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> > > <br> > > <!-- |**|begin egp html banner|**| --> > > <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2> > <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC> > <td align=center><font size="-1" color=#003399><b>Yahoo! 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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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