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

From: Nehemiah <nehemiah_at_twelvetribes.com>
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 08:39:17 -0400

Check out the sprayer kits at www.rittenhouse.ca

-----Original Message-----
From: kevin john richardon [mailto:kmagic_at_backpacker.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 6:16 PM
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [compost_tea] Q's: Applying Compost Tea


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;&n
bsp;&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;&n
bsp;&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> > > <!-- |**|begin egp
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Received on Fri May 30 2003 - 12:12:44 EDT

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