Incorrectly calibrating a machine can lead to disastrous results on clients’ lawns, not to mention wasted time and materials. As a refresher course in sprayer calibration, manufacturers offered the following tips and tricks to ensure that just the right amount of material finds its way to waiting lawns. (For these purposes, assume the nozzle tip in use is rated for one gallon per minute.)
1. Ensure that the machine is clean and all filters are free of debris before beginning.
2. Fill the sprayer’s tank with water only and set the pressure to an estimated amount appropriate for the nozzle tip.
3. Open the spray wand or nozzle into a large bucket for a period of one minute. If the bucket itself is not already calibrated in ½-gallon increments, use a ½-gallon milk jug and permanent marker. Fill the jug with water, pour the water into the bucket, and mark the water level with the marker. Continue until enough hash marks are made for easy measuring.
4. After one minute, turn the nozzle off and measure the amount of water in the bucket. If the amount of water is not equal to one gallon, adjust the machine by raising or lowering the pressure.
5. Check and re-calibrate sprayers at least once a week to keep them in good working order.
The author is Assistant Editor for Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at lspiers@lawnandlandscape.com