There are several ways to convert spray solution into droplets. For broadacre applications, the most common method is to force liquid under hydraulic pressure through an orifice (opening) or onto a deflector plate (anvil) to produce a fan-shaped pattern.

Broadacre spray applicators tend to use hydraulic nozzles to produce fan-shaped spray patterns.

The most common pattern is the tapered fan used on booms to achieve a uniform overlap. However, it is possible to get nozzles that produce an even fan pattern, often utilised for applying bands, under shielded sprayers or on target-selectable (optical spot) sprayers.

Tapered patterns are designed for use on booms where the nozzle spray patterns are overlapped. Even fans are designed for band spraying where the nozzle patterns do not overlap.

To assess the impact of nozzle design and other parameters on the nozzle output, it is useful to consider how a standard flat-fan nozzle or an extended range flat-fan nozzle (which contains a single orifice at the exit) works compared with other nozzle designs.