AGGRAND would like to thank AGGRAND Dealer Tony Zilar for sharing his spray tank project with all our Dealers and customers. It is a wonderful design and well documented, step by step, presentation. Great job! The AGGRAND Department
Boom Sprayer project at A2Z Ranch, Kennewick, Washington by Anthony Zilar AGGRAND dealer (509) 438-5246
Objective Build a boom sprayer that is simple, versatile and maximizes the effectiveness of AGGRAND products System must: Compliment AGGRAND products Be capable of various application needs Be able to be used with tractor or truck Provide simple, time efficient operation Be large capacity yet easily transported Offer cost effective construction
Primary considerations to ensure boom sprayer compliments AGGRAND products: Manage particulate matter to include bone meal and liquid lime Adequate tank agitation to maintain product suspension Effective fluid screening without compromising pressure or flow Nozzle selection
Purchase a used boom sprayer chassis and 500 gallon polymer tank. Fabricate motor and valve mounts and weld modifications and structural improvements Sand blast Prime and paint with an industrial protective coating Treat the tank with a chemical neutralizer
Mount tires and rims that will provide adequate floatation and tracking. Weight capacity is a primary consideration.
Install a gas powered motor and centrifugal pump to provide a self-contained power/pressure source. Honda motor (model GX160) 4.8 bhp at 3600 rpm - Engine throttle is the primary means for adjusting sprayer pressure ACE pump (model GE660) max pressure 115 psi, max flow 110 gpm
Install the plumbing with a simple layout plan: One line from the holding tank to the pump intake One line from the pump discharge to a combination bypass and in-line strainer system One line from the bypass output back to the holding tank through the agitators One line from the in-line strainer output to the boom valve manifold
Pump discharge line to the combination strainer intake In-line strainer output to the boom valve manifold Bypass output free-flowing back to the holding tank
Particulate matter will not pass through the in-line filter but will flow freely through the bypass back to the holding tank to be re-circulated. Particulates will eventually break down through agitation and pump sheering action. Free-flow pressure back to the holding tank can be adjusted by an in-line valve to prevent foam build-up in the tank. This valve can also be used for fine-tune nozzle pressure adjustments (up to 6 psi adjustment).
(View inside the holding tank from the top port looking down to the tank floor.) Dual jet agitators inside the holding tank provide excellent product suspension.
The manifold directs the flow of the strained fluid to valves leading to the starboard, port and mid booms. The hose to the pressure gauge originates at the manifold.
From the boom valves, the fluid flows through in-line filters before being discharged at the nozzles. These in-line filters are used in lieu of nozzle screens to reduce the occurrence of nozzle fouling.
Remove nozzle screens.
Select Turbo floodjet nozzles (Teejet TS-4) to maximize AGGRAND products potential.
This basic system compliments AGGRAND products well. No concern for particulates causing obstruction Powerful pump provides adequate shearing action Free-flow return through a bypass strainer to the holding tank keeps particulates cycling Agitators assist in particulate break down
Product suspension and uniform mixture is adequately maintained in the holding tank. Agitators provide a well-designed current Holding tank foaming can be controlled without adding chemicals by adjusting the free-flow return with a simple valve.
Adequate filtering is achieved Filtering is accomplished on the output side of the pump providing maximum pressure capabilities. (System is capable of producing >80 psi at the nozzles) Screen fluid twice well before it reaches the nozzles to prevent nozzle fouling. Nozzle screens are not required.
The goal of building a boom sprayer system that compliments AGGRAND products is easily accomplished. However, additional considerations should be made to enhance the operation and versatility of the sprayer system.
Install a shut-off valve between the holding tank and pump intake. A capped secondary intake port can be placed between the valve and the pump intake. This provides the flexibility of pumping water into the holding tank from a supplemental source if field expedient water sources need to be considered.
Use quick release/attach fittings at the holding tank purge port, bypass output port and secondary intake port.
Install electric valves to allow easy, remote boom valve operation from inside the cab of a truck or tractor.
An electric air compressor, mixing tank, electric valve, tubing and foam collectors can be installed to provide an excellent foam marker system to compliment the overall efficiency of the boom sprayer system.
You can build a remote controller box using switches purchased from a local electronics store. A cigarette lighter/electrical accessory plug can be incorporated as the link to the towing vehicle electric power source. A standard 7-pin towing plug and receiver can be used to attach the remote box to the boom sprayer trailer. I used 15 feet of wire lead to ensure the controller box could reach the cab of a truck or tractor.
In-line fuse Primary power switch Boom valve switches Foam compressor power switch Foam valve left/right selector switch
Booms fold for easy transport. The mid boom section can still be operated while the port and starboard booms are folded. This will provide over ten feet of spray coverage.0
Place spray nozzles on 22 inch centers a total of 23 nozzles to fully utilize the 40 feet of boom capacity. If all 23 nozzles are used, 100% overlap will occur. Every second nozzle can be replaced by a port plug to limit the functioning nozzles to a total of 12 at 30% overlap. This unique nozzle layout further adds to the flexibility of the sprayer system. Applications can be customized to accommodate for different spray products, nozzle tips, soil conditions, crops, and weather considerations.
It s time to go to work