Looking for build ideas for a "Zero Drift Herbicide Applicator"

[NormL]

What is it you are trying to protect from drift? With a selective like 2-4-D it might not be such a concern. Its not the same as roundup that kills everything and is super sensitive where even a little will kill a plant. Might even take quite a bit to injure neighbor plants, and they make a couple flavors of it, one is a bit more volatile. You can add some oil to it, they do have a couple adjutants, couple to reduce drift and spread it some.
This drip idea is not really a good plan. The rate wont be right and some not designed to be a drench, they designed to use a specific or within a range of water per acre.
They do NOT want it running off the plant. Its not the correct method for this application. Most that are using wick are using roundup. They are wicking taller weeds.

What I need to protect from drift is flower beds near and around the house and gardens. There are two houses and two gardens on this property as well as fruit trees where drift can do damage. I don't have the name of the product I'm going to use so I don't know which "flavour" I'll be applying. I don't expect to be drenching the weeds or wet them to the point that its running off the plants and onto the ground. A very light drizzle might best describe what I hope to achieve. I've shelved the wicking option for now in favour of the drip method. If I have to use sprayer nozzles instead I'll also have to add a pump to produce pressure and there goes my hopes of a simple applicator with no worries about drift.

 

[Sberry]

I have been at this a while and seen about every way its been done and never seen this type of thing in a drip. It certainly wouldnt be "approved" or listed method for this type of application. 2 4 D has 2 flavors, one is called amine and the other I forgewt but a little less volatile. One thing reduces it is lower pressures. Put a side shield on near the beds and unless you are spraying in hi wind wont hurt trees. Another thing I tend to do,,, which is why I made a small app with jugs easy to clean is watch wind changes, simply spray when the breeze is favorable and leaves a line like a knife.

 

[Cougsfan]

I think you may be over thinking it. First, use a herbicide that is less susceptible to volatization. Dicamba (as in Dianat, Banvel, Diablo, Oracle and Vanquish) is the probably worst for volitization, and aminopyralid (i.e. Milestone) may be one of the best, and 2-4d is in the middle (although the least effective). A product called "GrazonNext" is a combination of aminopyralid and 2-4d that is effective for most broad leaf weeds and not overly susceptible to volatization.

Set up a sprayer to use very low pressure, and make sure that large droplets are coming out the nozzle. This reduces drift immensely. Do not over apply. If you don't over atomize, fairly strong winds aren't as much of a problem as you might think. However if you atomize the fluid significantly, it can be a big problem.

Finally, spray when it is cool, and is going to stay cool for several hours after you spray to minimize volatization. A slight wind is actually better than no wind when it comes to minimizing the effects volatization.

If you pay attention to these things you can spray right up to a flower bed with no ill results. It is a whole lot easier and more effective than wick or drip application (both of which are still subject to volatization).

The two types of 2-4d are amine based and ester based. Most for sale are amine based and is the least susceptible to volatization. Ester based is usually a little more effective but should be used in colder weather as it is more susceptible to volitazation. (actually all herbicides can be made with either base).

Please note that volatization and drift are two different issues that cause chemicals to go where they aren't wanted. Drift is when the wind carries the chemical in droplet form to an area not wishing to be sprayed. Volatization is when the chemical evaporates and is carried without moisture to an area not desired to be sprayed. Drift is a wind issue. Volatization is a temperature issue.

Your concern seems to primarily be drift.

 

[Sberry]

That is really good,,, way more better than I know. I am going with the over thinking part of this too. I sprayed around with some the other day, didnt hit anything I didnt intend to. They make so many chemicals its tough to keep up on it if not a regular user,,, I had the ester and amine backwards.

 

[NormL]

I think you may be over thinking it. First, use a herbicide that is less susceptible to volitization. Dicamba (as in Dianat, Banvel, Diablo, Oracle and Vanquish) is the probably worst for volitization, and aminopyralid (i.e. Milestone) may be one of the best, and 2-4d is in the middle (although the least effective). A product called "GrazonNext" is a combination of aminopyralid and 2-4d that is effective for most broad leaf weeds and not overly susceptible to volitization.

Set up a sprayer to use very low pressure, and make sure that large droplets are coming out the nozzle. This reduces drift immensely. Do not over apply. If you don't over atomize, fairly strong winds aren't as much of a problem as you might think. However if you atomize the fluid significantly, it can be a big problem.

Finally, spray when it is cool, and is going to stay cool for several hours after you spray to minimize volitization. A slight wind is actually better than no wind when it comes to minimizing the effects volitization.

If you pay attention to these things you can spray right up to a flower bed with no ill results. It is a whole lot easier and more effective than wick or drip application (both of which are still subject to volitization).

The two types of 2-4d are amine based and ester based. Most for sale are amine based and is the least susceptible to volitization. Ester based is usually a little more effective but should be used in colder weather as it is more susceptible to volitization. (actually all herbicides can be made with either base).

Please note that volitization and drift are two different issues that cause chemicals to go where they aren't wanted. Drift is when the wind carries the chemical in droplet form to an area not wishing to be sprayed. Volitization is when the chemical evaporates and is carried without moisture to an area not desired to be sprayed. Drift is a wind issue. Volitization is a temperature issue.

Your concern seems to primarily be drift.

Thank you Cougsfan; that is information I didn't have till now and will help me get it right. Its almost sixty years since I left the farm where I grew up and the only words I recognize from those times are "ester and amine". The handling of chemicals has totally evolved since those times and if I had stayed on the farm I'm not sure I would still be around. Chemicals and grain dust sensitivities are what forced me to choose a different career path. I hope my story helps folks understand my "paranoia" with drift. Volitization is a new word for me and I will be taking careful note to control/reduce its occurrence and my exposure to it. I appreciate the advice and admonitions I'm getting on this thread. Keep it up even if I don't listen as carefully as I should.

 

[thebmrust]

What about using an automatic paint roller or w/ an auto-brush attachment?

 

[NormL]

What about using an automatic paint roller or w/ an auto-brush attachment?

Maybe for touchup duties that would work but for the rest of the yard that we mow, about 4 acres, give or take, I'll need to use something with more coverage.

 

[WranglerX]

How about spray nozzles under a cover like deck for brush hog....

 

[dieselscout80]

What about using an automatic paint roller or w/ an auto-brush attachment?

Electric Paint Roller Converted Into Wick Wiper

After reading about how Donald Bunch kills weeds by spraying Roundup out of a 1-quart spray bottle onto an ordinary handheld paint roller (Vol. 35, No. 5), Robert Witt of Summerdale, Ala., sent inform...

www.farmshow.com

A while back I found an article and video on a roller system like this for pastures and it seemed like it worked good with no drift and used less chemical than a sprayer.

Grassworks 3pt Tractor Mount Weed Wiper - Grassworks

The GrassWorks Weed Wiper™ 3pt Tractor Mount Weed Wiper is built in sizes ranging from 6 feet to 50 feet. We can custom build any size unit to fit your operation. We also offer an option for a set of gauge wheels. The GrassWorks Weed Wiper™ 3pt Tractor Mount Weed Wiper comes with the option to...

grassworksmanufacturing.com

Roco Weed Wiper - Drumlish Farm Machinery

Drumlish Farm Machinery have in stock Roco Weed Wipers for applying herbicide to weeds via a ATV or Quad. The Roco Weed Wiper applies herbicide to only weeds and unwanted plants. In stock now with separate spot spray.

drumlishfarmmachinery.com

 

[NormL]

Thank you Cougsfan, Sberry, thebmrust, DL Meisen, and dieselscout80 for all that food for thought! I fully realize I could be over thinking the drift concerns I have. It exists due to my personal history with farm chemicals although I have been able to stay away from them for most of my adult life. The reality is that the dry conditions lately have resulted in the weeds with deep root systems have taken over much of my yard, crowding out the grass. While watering would help the grasses compete, that's not an option here. So, for the first time in years I am looking to hitting those bad boys with chemicals all the while doing my best to stay out of the way as well as protecting our gardens and trees. As for the project itself, I tested the rate of flow and found that the first four gallons took five minutes to drain out through the drip hose so I can live with that. I may decide to add another five gallon pail to double the amount of application I can do before reloading. I'll do a test drive on the lawn/field to see how much I can cover in five minutes at a moderate speed. That way I can calculate my application rate as well.