DIY Lawn Care: How to Calibrate Your Lawn Sprayer

Detailed how to instructions on how to calibrate your lawn sprayer.
tractortimewithtim.com/wordpre...

[@mrelectron6220]

Good tips Tim, I also use a dye marker in my sprayer so I can see where I have sprayed to prevent over lapping too much when your doing 5ac its hard to tell exactly where you been already.

[@johndeno562]

Hi ttwt. I use a single spray nozzle and set it the same width as the mower deck. That way I can raise the mower deck and shut the pump off so I can see where I have sprayed. I have two and a half acres ran water in the sprayer first time over the yard. Came up with 4 -15 gallon tanks and calculate from there

[@tonyenglish7176]

Very useful video and thank you for sharing your knowledge and humor!

[@fun2drive107]

I think the GPS on most portable systems (cell phones come to mind) would have saving a lot of driving around but what you did works. Look forward to more vid's.

[@Nf6xNet]

"I like the science part of it!" is the moment that y'all got your up-like. :)

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Mark's Tech Channel thanks Mark!

[@daveroberts9921]

Once you have your formulas make a simple spread sheet. Then just enter the square footage of the yard and you will have an instant calculation for the amount of chemicals you need. This is how I used to calculate how much grass seed I needed for a particular lot. It made giving estimates much quicker.

[@fredkaminski6138]

Love the shirt! I use 32 oz of trimec 992 for 30 gallons of water. Mount the tank sprayer on the back of my zero steer, unfold the 10' boom arms and go till I run out! Works for me!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Fred Kaminski sounds good!

[@xmtowntyx]

thats a low rate depending on your speed and nozzle tips.

[@samuelasamoah6906]

This is the best video on calibration i have seen so far, anyway why did you choose that pressure value and not another? (That's the only question i need to ask)

[@TallTexasGMan]

very nice. much simpler than the way I was trying to do it.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Eric G good to hear Eric! Based on the other comments I was concerned that we had over complicated it,

[@thinkingimpaired5663]

Too prevent too much overlap use your distance tool and drop flags at each row. We used to use crumpled paper along the center of the route and aim at the paper line with the hood of the tractor.

[@crslyrn]

Thanks for posting. Stay safe.

[@RoanJS]

I use the charts in the pump PSI and nozzle GPM specs. Then verify using similar steps as your video. I also like to use Markit blue die in some applications and areas. Winterizing the pump was the costliest mistake when I started.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

sounds good. Winterizing, or NOT winterizing?

[@smattt]

This was great in terms of calibrating the sprayer. Thank you for that. However, if you haven't already figured it out by now, the table you used to determine application rate for the Prodiamine was not the table you should've used. However (yes a second time), if your intended rate of application is 1.15 lbs/acre, then 0.4oz/1000 sq.ft is correct. That would give you about 5 months of coverage. So if that was the case then you're golden, but if you wanted just 2-3 months coverage, you'll have to go down a bit (especially if you apply this twice per year). Thanks again!

[@homesteadspirit9209]

this is the next implement on my list

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Eli Fulton someday I may convert it to 3 pt mount.

[@Ram50]

I have a single nozzle pull sprayer that states it has a 40" coverage, but actually sprays 80". This is what it says in the owners manual "The overall spray width is 80", but 1/2 or 40" of the overall spray pattern must be overlapped to get equal coverage throughout the spray area." Not sure if that's why you are getting a wider pattern than it states, but it makes since to over lap for more even coverage.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Travis Houseman probably.

[@DavidMoriconiM3inspect]

So Tim would I be correct in assuming I maybe spraying more water but the amount of chemical is still going to be the same 1,000 square feet

[@tomr9509]

When I use weed killer (2-4d) it's liquid 1.5 per gallon.You want to just coat the leaf.I do a test run with water down the driveway to get the speed to wet the driveway without making it puddle.However I haven't used the sprayer in the last couple of years using a pre emergent granular fertilizer.

[@miguelloya4296]

where did you find the 2-4d? Ive gone to walmart but they dont have it... do you have to order it?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I have a post on this on my website. I think it is domyownpestcontrol.com. Check tractortimewithtim.com to be sure

[@ODLife]

Great video!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+O&D Life thanks for your comment!

[@DavidMoriconiM3inspect]

So do I understand for your 14000 area it took 5 gals of water with the 5.6 oz of product in the tank?

[@DavidMoriconiM3inspect]

thank you

[@xDoomsdayx]

So it seems things changed from last year. If im not mistaken you were using the full sprayer to do your yard last season for 14k ft. going from that to 5 gallons seems to be a drastic change. Was you over doing it last year?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+D. Cole I was spraying at much higher psi last year. Read online that 20-25 was all I needed.

[@KiotiCS]

Tim what did you just say ? you lost me at the orange paint ! LOL but good job hope the neighbors dont get mad at johnny for being outside after dark ! my buddy has been in the field too ! take care & have a great week !! curt :-)

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Kioti CS2410 ha! We ran out of daylight. Been very busy recently!

[@DavidMoriconiM3inspect]

I cannot tell by the night video but does the yellow chemical show up on the grass? Or should I buy a dye thank you

[@TractorTimewithTim]

The chemical does not show up. Dye works, but it is messy.

[@samtalley791]

I'm not sure how helpful this would be in all areas but in our county and surrounding counties we have whats called GIS. You can find it by googling your county name and GIS in my case Warrick County GIS and it will bring up a map (you may have to do an agree to something before the map appears) and then you can type the property owners name in the search box (last, First) and it should pull up your property(s). Then you can go to a tab called "Tools" or "Parcel Tools" and go down that list until you see "Measure Area" Click on that and then a box should appear on the screen. Change it from "Acres" to "Square Feet" then you can click around your lawn to measure square footage. This map allows you to go around anything on your property.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+JohnDeere3020Boy yea, we have that in Hamilton county too. May be the same system all over the state.

[@samtalley791]

I'm pretty sure they do I know like Vanderburgh county down by Evansville has the same system but it looks different and is harder to use

[@FaaaaaaaQ2]

You can do this with google maps. Just go to google maps find your property switch to satellite view for easier viewing then right click the map and select measure distance and it will plop a marker down with every left click. Once you click all around the outside of your property and circle back to your starting point it will give you the total area in ft².

[@samtalley791]

Didn't know this thank you

[@DavidMoriconiM3inspect]

sorry for all the question, but did your calculation of 5.x gals prove to be accurate. I am in the process of figuring this all out. My pump is 2.5 gal/ min.. I set it at 25 psi and measuring water output for the 30 sec it took to travel the 1000sq ft I came up 3 qt or 96 oz output, thus 10.5 gal / 1ooo sq ft for the 14000 sq ft calculation. I would think your pumps output would be more than the one i have, and our times were about the same.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Pump output is not relevant. The nozzle size is what determines the flow rate. So, pay attention to your test results. The only variable is how much you overlap, or spray twice accidentally.

[@BRadWilson3]

So I followed all the steps, and got my tractor stuck in the pond. But now I dont have any weeds in the pond but lots of fish to eat. Does Heavy hitch make a product to pull it out? Thanks

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Hmm....where did we go wrong??????

[@BRadWilson3]

All that math got me confused, I might have been calculating and driving at the same time.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+B-Rad Wilson ha!

[@npeltack]

I can't believe it , a video without Menards shirts. :-)

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+npeltack yea, still had my Menards hat, though!

[@VictorHGarza-bj9vr]

On your prodiamine example, how come you said “5.6? Aren’t you supposed to subtract .4 from your total solution needed formula of 5.04? So that .4 + water will give you 5.04.

[@Ali.hz85]

or fill the tank with water only and see how much water does it take to cover your lawn.

[@Spartan-ry1hh]

Science time with Tim.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I think that would be "Science time with Christy". I'm more of a 'dump it in and go' kinda guy! ...well not really, but I'm not nearly as precise at it as she is.

[@MrJohndeere3720]

my brain hurts..lol i used weed b gone 4 the first time i sprayed my front lawn with it. only time will tell if this stuff works... i've used round up grass & weed killer at the farm 4 the last 2 years. we got big weeds there & i main big... 6 footers

[@CashJohnston]

I don't use a sprayer to fertilize my yard. But that's not going to stop me from commenting. I'd fill the tank with the area calculated amount and then drive around until it was gone. BUT! I have a real need to get a sprayer for my fruit trees and mini vineyard. I could get a really cheap one from Harbor Freight or really expensive brand name one that's yellow. Is the extra price worth it for these things? I want a three point hitch or ATV style sprayer I think.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I got mine from rural king. Same things available at TSC. I wanted a 3pt too, but I saw how much more expensive it was....so I then looked at the ATV style. It is the cheapest. ...I was thinking I could make a 3pt or 2 inch receiver mount for it. Then, I realized that the wheeled one wasn't a whole lot more than the ATV style, and didn't take any construction work to get it ready to go...so, that is why i chose it. I'm not especially fond of the pull-type, but it doesn't really matter either. Get one with a pressure gauge. Mine has a hand wand which can be used instead of the nozzles. This is what you would use. I got the 2gpm pump. It works fine. I have no idea if the 'yellow' one is better. Maybe if you get one, you can brag about how much better it is than mine!!!!!

[@CashJohnston]

Tractor Time with Tim Ok great. I have a feeling the yellow ones are just prettier and not much more bang for the buck. Thanks Tim!

[@keithbrettell2058]

Sorry but the math went right over my head, very entertaining anyways. New subscriber.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Keith Brettell thanks for subscribing. I know that it moved fast. Figured folks that need it can watch it multiple times.

[@PhatboyHD88]

Haha i got that lmao ,,, orange better than green 😂

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+PhatboyHD88 hoping you would notice that!

[@GrampysTractor]

Way too much math but will all the math help with the burn down of the front 40 this summer?

[@thinkingimpaired5663]

Good to know, I use a teejet chart because I go by the acre. My mph calibration is easier and chemical calculators are easier using teejet. Here's a pdf link teejet.it/english/home/tech-support/nozzle-technical-information/useful-formulas.aspx

[@dickhead3144]

Big Tim, I actually drive myself nuts trying to get these measurements right. I did all the math like you one day and really didn’t get the results I wanted out of the products I was using. I now just use the recommended ratios per a gallon for each product in the tank and a tad extra. I usually use about 20 gallons for the front and back yard. I cut as I spray to know where I’ve been and have the sprayer set to the width of the cut. This takes marking dye out of the equation. I drive pretty slow…about 3 mph. I’ve gotten much better results but then again I’m probably putting down more product then needed. All good though so far. I haven’t killed the lawn and there aren’t many weeds left. Thanks for doing this aggravating math for everyone. I enjoyed watching someone else do what everyone else dreads. Take care. Sincerely, Dick Head

[@millertime8835]

A 3pt mounted sprayer is a much better choice 60 gal is ideal

[@bigjim5723]

ha! oh my how my head hurts from all them numbers-lol. no wonder i didn't want nuthing to do with further education. ha! i enjoyed any way. i just mix to the jugs directions and start riding around, ha! my place one yr looked like i had aliens land-and they might of had a square dance jig going on their. ha!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+BigJim57 best comment of the day!!'

[@parttimefarmer5738]

Always mix it a little stiff too

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Not quite sure what you mean by 'stiff', but I suggest mixing it a bit 'thin' in case you underestimated how much solution you needed for your property.

[@thinkingimpaired5663]

@@TractorTimewithTim not enough chemical can cause problems when putting out herbicide, plants can build up a tolerance. Many plants have mutated and have become herbicide resistant, which cost agriculture millions of dollars ever year because of mismanaged ag chemical application.

[@MrGoodTime313]

yard sprayer vs 4 of my john deere R4030s ;)

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+american farmer I bet you could drive right over the top of me and Johnny!

[@AirplaneDoctor_]

I have to admit I cheat Tim, I use a a Hardi calibration disk to do the math....

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Airplane Doctor oh, that sounds interesting.

[@AirplaneDoctor_]

Tractor Time with Tim It's a flat plastic rotating disk that has all the inputs with nozzle type, ground speed, etc. All you do do is turn the disk levels so all your inputs line up and you get instant setup numbers. They used to be free from Hardi sprayer dealers, not sure now.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Airplane Doctor probably could find online

[@mattdahms586]

Airplane Doctor will

[@parttimefarmer5738]

What you should really do is get 3pt sprayer for Johnny.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yes. 3pt would be nice...but they are much more expensive. not sure why

[@DougKremer]

Get a 3pt tube receiver, and put a receiver cargo rack on it. Useful for loading and carrying all sort of things, and you can strap your sprayer tank on it too.

[@mark-ew8hk]

nice t-shrit can i get one tim please

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Working on that, Mark. We're still working on our logo. ...once that is finalized, we will think about some goodies.

[@triumphovertragedy7860]

Idk yet you sprayed at night tho, 🤷‍♂️

[@chevyphil3969]

ha bill nye the science guy way too much math so i say let mother nature do its course lol really great vidieo. your smart phone has an app with a speedometer

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+philip young maybe I need to mount an iPad on Johnny ?

[@chevyphil3969]

ya good idea for your friends at heavy hitch or look intp ram mount they make them for anything or they did

[@jeffrainwater4084]

my brain hurts

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Jeff Rainwater ah come on! Just some multiplication!!! You can handle!

[@jeffrainwater4084]

That's what my 8 year old is for.

[@mi2tn]

Did you memorize all the math after Christy did it for you? You know mowing my yard/field for 6 hours and spraying for that long too, any time you want to come down and do it is alright with me. I'll buy the chemicals you bring the gear. We can use my tractor. Delete that, you can use my tractor. I'll mow, you spray. If you want to follow me while I'm mowing you have to bring your tractor too. Deal? :-)

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Are you kidding, I couldn't memorize all of that! She was holding up big cards with big numbers on them! :-) I watched you climb that little hill...I'll likely not be driving Johnny on THAT hill!!!

[@sfarris304]

If sprayer nozzle spacing is 20 inches, travel 204 feet, time it, (42seconds) then run your sprayer for 42 seconds and catch water from each nozzle, divide to get the average OUNCES. (my case 27oz was the average) Ounces = Gallons per acre

[@MrGoodTime313]

all this math made my brain fry...

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+american farmer ...better than making the yard 'fry' !!!!!

[@MrGoodTime313]

Yea.. in georgia are yards are still dead from winter

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+american farmer really ? I figured you guys started mowing in Feb!