Re: [compost_tea] Q's: Applying Compost Tea

From: kevin john richardon <kmagic_at_backpacker.com>
Date: 29 May 2003 22:16:22 -0000

Hey Mike Bosco, Jason came up pretty big for us,huh?!?

Thanks for the input, Jason. Many times, It's the little things. Suggestions like these should make for a totally tricked out sprayer!

Thank you.


On Thu, 29 May 2003 15:00:31 -0700 Jason Austin <jason.austin_at_shaw.ca> wrote:
Hi Kevin

What are you towing the sprayer with? - 325 gallons is quite a weight
depending on what you are using and also what you are driving over. You
will also need to factor in the weight of whatever the tank is sitting on.

 I have my sprayer on the 3 point hitch of my tractor driven by the PTO.
  I have a diaphram pump 14 gpm and either 200-400psi - I forget which.
  Works well. I mounted a mast sprayer that goes up 15' with 8 spray
nozzles, and can be lifted out and used as a boom sprayer.

You don't need an air compressor to drive a diaphram pump - just a drive
source such as the tractor PTO or say an 11hp Honda motor. A 5 gpm pump
is quite a small pump particularly for a 325 gallon tank. I think you
would be better to go for a bigger pump particularly if you are using a
boom - the 5 gpm will not feed many nozzles. If the pump is running
but you are not spraying then a release valve recycles the extra back
into the tank.

An air source of some sort may be desirable to keep the CT aerated while
you are setting up and spraying - depends on the time there will be
between getting the CT from your brewer until your are finished spraying.

In addition to the mast sprayer I have a wand on a long hose for doing
those one off jobs. And I put a 1" drain on the bottom of my tank that
runs to a garden hose fitting. This allows me to do a soil drench
without running the brew through the pump, and a gravity fed line is a
lot more peaceful than blasting away with a pressure pump. Also makes
cleaning a lot easier. So in all I have three ways to get the CT out
- and I use all three.

I got a lot of help from my local feed store that sells farm
accessories. Try talking with someone like that or a tractor dealer.
 Even if you are not using a tractor, the farm equipment people will
have a lot of experience with spraying.

Finally, watch out for the commercial spray tanks. The ones I saw had
molded feet so there would always be small amount of liquid in them -
maybe not a problem for chemicals but a real bear for those of us using
compost tea that we don't want turning anaerobic. I held out and
eventually got a round flat bottomed 200 gallon tank. I firgured that
would be fine for my tractor because my 3 point hitch is rated at
2,240lbs. But I forgot to allow for the weight of the pump and the
steel frame to hold the tank! I had the frame custom made and the guy
built it like a sherman tank - easily a 1,000lbs . Then the pump is a
good 40lbs. Result? - I can only put 100 gallons in the tank :-D
 Well we live and learn <grin>

Don't rush into this - think carefully about what you are trying to
achieve then get advice about how to get there. I do recommend the
three different ways of getting your CT out of the sprayer - the
interchangeable mast/boom; a wand; and a drain for gravity feeding and
cleaning.

Hope this helps.

Jason

kevin john richardon wrote:

> Glen~
>
> Thanks for responding. Good advice. I would like to set up and spray
> at will!, so I think I will be investing in a 325 gal tank (best I can
> match to my payload and remain trailerless; although the decision is
> also based on current local availability ), spray at about 5 gpm (to
> get an acre out of my dilution and meet percieved time requirements),
> which will determine the legnth of my necessary spray bredth.
>
> Now if I could decide on a diaphram pump, engine and air compressor
> (does one necessarily need air compression to drive a diaphram) that
> will allow me to dial in flow, psi, and gpm, I would be getting
> somewhere! maybe? By the way it would be awesome to configure a
> system which will be compatible with a behind the cab style boom!
>
> What type of equipment do you use to spray?
>
> ciao~ kev
>
>
> On Thu, 29 May 2003 14:25:51 -0000 growest2002 <g.w.thomson_at_shaw.ca>
> wrote:
> <html><body>
>
>
> <tt>
> Kevin-maybe I can give my 1 cents worth on soil drenching.<BR>
> <BR>
> As you pointed out, adding a reasonable &quot;depth&quot; of water to
> an acre<BR>
> of <BR>
> land involves enormous amounts of water.&nbsp; And yes, this water
> should <BR>
> be dechlorinated from what everyone has shared on this list.<BR>
> <BR>
> My tiny bit of experience this year has led me personally to use our <BR>
> spring rains to soak in these soil drenches, rather than trying to<BR>
> add <BR>
> enough carrier water to move the AACT into the root zone.<BR>
> <BR>
> By watching the weather forecast, along with the very wet spring we <BR>
> have had in the Pacific Northwest (south of you tho!) I've been able <BR>
> to drench soil and nursery containers prior to or during 1/2 to 1 in.
> <BR>
> rainfall events here.&nbsp; So much faster and more effective than
> trying <BR>
> to provide those thousands of gallons of dechlorinated water myself.<BR>
> <BR>
> I'm just not sure I'd try to duplicate that now that the substantial <BR>
> rains are done till fall...just plan on doing all the soil drench <BR>
> during the spring or after fall rains have started.<BR>
> <BR>
> This isn't applicable to other areas with quite different weather <BR>
> patterns, but wonder what others in the wet coast applying tea think <BR>
> of my take on this.<BR>
> <BR>
> And thanks Kevin for bringing this subject up.&nbsp; An acre inch is
> that <BR>
> much water...I know I'll never be able to apply that economically and
> <BR>
> get paid enough to do it!<BR>
> <BR>
> Glen<BR>
> <BR>
> --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, &quot;kevin john richardon&quot; <BR>
> &lt;kmagic_at_b...&gt; wrote:<BR>
> &gt; Howdy Pards,<BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; I am slightly embarrassed (but not really, cause I make mistakes
> a <BR>
> lot) to have been eronious with data in my firstever letter to yall.<BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; The real numbers are (I asked a farmer; they know their stuff):<BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; 1 Acre inch = 27,154 gallons<BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; 1/8 Acre inch = 3400 gallons = .07805 / 1 sq. ft.<BR>
> &gt; it seems impracticle to equip myself to bring this volume of
> water <BR>
> with me.&nbsp; I think this volume would be extremely challenging for
> me<BR>
> to <BR>
> spray in a reasonable legnth of time to remain economically viable.<BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; My target application rate is 1 Acre per Hour.<BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; 1/32 Acre inch = 850 gal = .01951 gal / 1 sq.ft. <BR>
> &gt;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
> = 14.16 gpm flow (1 Hr) <BR>
> &gt; 1/64 Acre inch = 425 gal = .00975 gal / 1 sq.ft. <BR>
> &gt;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
> = 7.083 gpm flow (1Hr)<BR>
> &gt; Application approximate to these ratios of volume to area seem
> more <BR>
> practicle.&nbsp; I believe I can configure to achieve a flow that fits
> my <BR>
> arbitrary yet critical criterion of time.&nbsp; <BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; Among the questions are:&nbsp; <BR>
> &gt; Does application of compost tea at a ration of this volume of
> water <BR>
> support the water requirements of the microbes?&nbsp; Will the
> application <BR>
> result in desired effects?&nbsp; Is the volume great enough to be <BR>
> considered a root drench?&nbsp; Would supplemental watering be
> necessary, <BR>
> immediately?<BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; Or is there equipment available (configurations) capable of
> putting <BR>
> down more water (gpm) during application?&nbsp; <BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; Specifications to consider:<BR>
> &gt; *It has been suggested to me that a diaphram pump has the
> gentlest, <BR>
> least violent action on the microbes.<BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; *The Brewing manual suggests 100 psi up to 600 psi is acceptable
> to <BR>
> transport microbes, yet microbes should contact surfaces at no more <BR>
> than 20 - 80 psi.<BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; *Gallons Per Minute Flow<BR>
> &gt; *Total water Volume per Acre<BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; I am attempting to configure a Compost Tea Spraying Truck (truck
> <BR>
> specs: 2001 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax Diesel (454 cu.in., 6.0 turbo), <BR>
> Alison 5 speed Transmission, 6.5 ft. box, 3200lbs. payload; 12000<BR>
> lbs. <BR>
> tow capacity) with Hand operated wand-type spraying as well as boom <BR>
> operated spraying capabilities.&nbsp; <BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; Seems like a trailer may need to be considered to enter system <BR>
> configurations to meet water demands.<BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; I would also like to explore possibilities of incorporating a <BR>
> proportionate pump.<BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; Thank you for your time and consideration, everyone.<BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; Best Regards,<BR>
> &gt; <BR>
> &gt; Kevin John Richardson<BR>
> <BR>
> <BR>
> </tt>
>
> <br>
>
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> Kevin John Richardson
> Local Solutions
> 19025 Villages Scenic Pkwy
> Anchorage, AK 99516
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Kevin John Richardson
Local Solutions
19025 Villages Scenic Pkwy
Anchorage, AK 99516
(907) 522 0679 Land
auto forwards to :
(907) 317 8455 Cell
kmagic_at_backpacker.com



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Received on Fri May 30 2003 - 01:03:24 EDT

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