Regardless of the spraying system fitted to the machine, the pump, plumbing, filtration and valves will always remain critical to the operation of the sprayer.

Spending time to ensure that the pump/s selected have enough capacity to deliver sufficient flow to the nozzles and to thoroughly agitate the tank mix, while also ensuring that the valves and other components will work well for all of the flow rates you will require is essential. It is also important that the materials that each component is made of will be suitable for the tank mixes you intend applying.

Features, such as individual nozzle section control, boom recirculation systems, and turn compensation are becoming standard features on most new sprayers.

Some sprayers are now being fitted with dual tanks and lines. Commonly these may be used to apply a blanket application of a lower rate of herbicide from the main tank for small weeds or to apply a residual herbicide, with the second tank and line fitted to an optical spot sprayer with the ability to target individual larger weeds with a more robust rate or mixture.

Whichever spraying system the operator chooses, it is important to consider the serviceability, calibration and decontamination of the system. The ability to isolate the main tank from the rest of the spray system should always be an essential feature of the sprayer, however this is sometimes overlooked by the manufacturers.

Find out more

For more information:

• Module 11: pumps, plumbing and components

• Module 13: rate-controller functions and settings

• Module 14: boom stability and height control