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

From: ray gore <xrg22000_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 06:41:29 -0700 (PDT)

your only supposed to be spraying between 40-80psi
--- 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
>
=== message truncated ===


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Received on Fri May 30 2003 - 12:12:59 EDT

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