[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

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



your only supposed to be spraying between 40-80psi
--- 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 
> 
=== message truncated ===


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM).
http://calendar.yahoo.com

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
FREE Cell Phones with up to $400 Cash Back!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/_bBUKB/vYxFAA/ySSFAA/0PSxlB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
compost_tea-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

 

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/