Boomless spray nozzles - any good?

[Grubs]

I have an old 200 litre PTO Hardi Spray kit (like this but without boom). The sprayer is incomplete with no boom or hand guns. I have a couple of acres that I need to spray to kill broadleaf weeds.

I dont have a boom or spray gun so I'm either going to make up a small boom with 4-6 jets and attach it to the back of the spray drum (that rides on the 3PL) or go with a single wide-spray "boomless" jet. I like the simplicity of the boomless jet ( a 10' wide fan spray) - but since I'm spraying herbicide I worry a bit that these might create more drift than a regular boom spray... however I have no experience with spraying so just dont know.

Are boomless spray jets a "good thing"?

This spray will only be used 2-3 times a year for a few acres.

 

[kthompson]

You should find good results with the boomless nozzle as long as it is a good nozzle.

 

[sellercreek]

You should find good results with the boomless nozzle as long as it is a good nozzle.

That is correct. For your purposes, a quality boomless nozzle should be a good fit. Be sure to follow the safety recommendations and you will be fine.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Wind "creates" drift. Boomless nozzles will expose you to more risk from wind drift. In a perfect world, you shouldn't be spraying with any sort of spray nozzles under windy conditions. Boomless nozzles have their uses. They also have their liabilities.

 

[kthompson]

Wind "creates" drift. Boomless nozzles will expose you to more risk from wind drift. In a perfect world, you shouldn't be spraying with any sort of spray nozzles under windy conditions. Boomless nozzles have their uses. They also have their liabilities.

Not saying you are not correct and have never used the boom less myself. But drift is also affected by the size of the spray droplets and the boom less produces larger droplets, correct? I also realize they are pushing them further and the need for larger droplets.

 

[mwb]

I use a boomless nozzle and it is a very nice installation compared to booms. I also use it for broadleaf spraying (lawn) and it is very manoeuvrable. The detail that I am not really happy with is the nozzle does not atomize as well as it could, probably because my flow rate is not high enough. The spray pattern is beautiful but I think the droplet size is too big and splashes off the leaves.

If you get the boomless nozzle make sure that it is rated for the flow rate that you are working with and this should not be a problem.

 

[mwb]

Not saying you are not correct and have never used the boom less myself. But drift is also affected by the size of the spray droplets and the boom less produces larger droplets, correct? I also realize they are pushing them further and the need for larger droplets.

You beat me; I left to use MS Word for spell check...

 

[Grubs]

Thankyou all for such good information.

Based on the points raised I'll go with a good quality boomless nozzle and I'll make sure I have the flow/pressure data available from my PTO pump to ensure I can adjust my flow to give me rudimentary control over the droplet size. As a homeowner I have the luxury of choosing my times and can select to only spray on windless days.

Its going to take me a week or so to get this together and I'll do some trial runs with just water and report back (maybe even with a picture or two!).

 

[mjncad]

And if the boomless doesn't work as well as you would like, you can always go to a boom with two breakaway sections.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Not saying you are not correct and have never used the boom less myself. But drift is also affected by the size of the spray droplets and the boom less produces larger droplets, correct? I also realize they are pushing them further and the need for larger droplets.

Drift is effected by (A)wind (air movement) (B)operating pressure of spray system (C)size of nozzle. (B and C effect atomization of spray) Even with all "controllable" factors (pressure/nozzle sizing, ect) set to absolute perfection, a subtle wind can foul up the works.

I've tried boomless nozzles. I'm sticking with conventional nozzles. They offer quite a bit more control, quite a bit LESS drift under anything less than absolutely perfect conditions with conventional.

With wind present, smaller droplets (mist) tends to drift as much, or even MORE in some cases.

Conventional nozzles are generally set to where they spray a narrower pattern (per nozzle) . Boomless, by their very nature, "throw" a pattern into the air, subjecting the droplets to more movement by any wind.