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Spray Booms vs Hand-held Wands Accuracy

19 posts
  1. James Prusa
    James Prusa avatar
    1 posts
    7/22/2011 8:07 PM
    All:

    I am researching for an article I will be publishing in the September 2011 issue of Asian Golf Business magazine. It is on the archaic practice in Asia of spraying greens using hand-held wands versus using modern spray boom equipment that readily available throughouit the region.

    Would like to (1) get good comments and quotes regarding accuracy on greens from those managing modern, high-end facilities in North America and elsewhere (with your photo); (2) wish to locate at least one or two comparative studies from universities on the comparative accuracy of these two methods; and (3) trying to locate any trade or professional articles already written on the subject.

    If anyone can help me wth these items I would be indebted.

    Thank you,

    Jim Prusa
    jgp@alumni-gsb.stanford.edu



  2. Baker Daniel
    Baker Daniel avatar
    7/25/2011 9:07 PM
    For What It's Worth...

    I think walk spraying is over-rated. I've done the walk sprayer as well as the 15' and the 21' boom sprayers on the greens. When you think that it takes four passes with a walk sprayer to equal a single pass with a 15' boom, your opportunity to make a mistake is multiplied by 4. A properly calibrated and maintained boom sprayer can lay down a perfect pattern over the width of the boom. The room for error is totally dependent upon the operator and his/her skill with the machine.

    I worked for a Director who had us spread fertilizer over a wide open golf course with push spreaders. We had the same issues with more opportunities for error in either over or underapplication. I chalked it up as a learning experience and moved on.

    For no other reason than a more precise application over the large area, I stick with the larger application equipment.

    Daniel



  3. Ronald McCarthy
    Ronald McCarthy avatar
    0 posts
    7/26/2011 1:07 PM
    I also do not like the fact that you are walking over the sprayed surface with the spray with the Hand Held



  4. Ronald McCarthy
    Ronald McCarthy avatar
    0 posts
    7/26/2011 1:07 PM
    I also do not like the fact that you are walking over the sprayed surface with the Hand Held



  5. Bryan Taylor
    Bryan Taylor avatar
    0 posts
    7/26/2011 2:07 PM
    I second the walking over the greens after spray and accuracy issues. Plus if you have second applicator just pulling the hose you increase labor and the hose itself can be a problem dragging it across the sprayed green also.

    We went from 6 hours for 2 operators down to one 4-5 hours with the change. Spraying once a week in a 12 month season that pays for the sprayer very quickly. Plus we can stay ahead of play even putting out 2 tanks at 2.0 gallon/1000 on 3.5 acres.

    Bryan Taylor
    Poipu Bay



  6. James Prusa
    James Prusa avatar
    1 posts
    7/27/2011 9:07 PM
    Thanks for comments. We all already know it is inaccurate and risky. In fact it is actually stupid to be doing it in the 21st century, but it is commonplace and well entrenched in Japan and Korea. I am attacking the practice full steam in the upcoming September issue of Asian Golf Business magazine. I need any hard data and firm opinions that I can get.

    Probably not much data or studies out there -- as no one is going to waste time on dumb research of stupid things! i have to change directions in Japan and Korea with these huge spray trucks and hand-wand spraying greens. Very ignorant.


    Jim Prusa



  7. Letterman David M
    Letterman David M avatar
    7/27/2011 10:07 PM
    jgprusa said: Thanks for comments. We all already know it is inaccurate and risky. In fact it is actually stupid to be doing it in the 21st century, but it is commonplace and well entrenched in Japan and Korea. I am attacking the practice full steam in the upcoming September issue of Asian Golf Business magazine. I need any hard data and firm opinions that I can get.

    Probably not much data or studies out there -- as no one is going to waste time on dumb research of stupid things! i have to change directions in Japan and Korea with these huge spray trucks and hand-wand spraying greens. Very ignorant.


    Jim Prusa

    You could look to see if any research has been done on how a boom sprayers floatation type tires actually puts less lbs per square inch (compaction) on the turf surface than a human foot print, which is generally the argument for "walk spraying" greens to begin with. I've never seen anyone approach the subject with better accuracy, money savings, and applicator safety as their goal or mind set when considering walk spraying greens. Of course, you could approach this like I did and buy a small 110 gallon unit to spray greens. Very light foot print and very agile around the greens. Hope this helps.



  8. Daniel Stover
    Daniel Stover avatar
    0 posts
    7/28/2011 1:07 PM
    Id love to see a green after its been "wanded" with iron.



  9. Andrew Cross
    Andrew Cross avatar
    5 posts
    7/28/2011 1:07 PM
    It seems some responses are considering spray hawking the same as wanding. They are different and obviously the spray hawk would be preferred over a wand (much more accurate). I have used ride on sprayers and spray hawks. The only advantage to spray hawking is absolute control over the area to be sprayed. Example being if spraying a product like velocity that will ding bluegrass surrounds pretty good, spray hawk allows you to more accurate and not hit bluegrass at all while only missing minor areas of bent. Also some greens are just too tight to be extremely accurate with an 11' boom. I have 2 of greens I would love to spray hawk but cannot justify the cost associated with it.

    I will agree that the idea of using a wand to apply seems very archaic compared to a spray hawk or other precisely calibrated way to apply.

    Just my 2cents for what its worth.



  10. Baker Daniel
    Baker Daniel avatar
    7/28/2011 2:07 PM
    Have you checked with any of the spray tip manufacturers like TeeJet on accuracy of improperly spaced nozzles? There is no way an operator can get the overlap to the perfect 30% overlap every time for the entirety of the pass. Just something to look into.



  11. Kenneth Ingram
    Kenneth Ingram avatar
    18 posts
    7/28/2011 3:07 PM
    As crazy as it seems hand spraying worked quite well back in the day. Like so many things it all depended on the operator. I had a spray foreman that was amazing and his helper (usually an intern every spring) kept the hose out of the way like the sprayhawk. Wouldn't you like to put a little extra (curative rate) on LDS, or on a fairy ring, or on the wet low spots where you get BP. Can't do that riding the 1250. I know times have changed and spraying equipment has improved. I changed over in 1985. But it can work. Jim I think the business is just 30 years behind and change will happen gradually. I checked our library, TGIF, and the USDA Agricola index and I can't find research. Kenneth Ingram, UMD



  12. Jason Cook
    Jason Cook avatar
    0 posts
    7/28/2011 11:07 PM
    Wanded" with FeSO4:



  13. Daniel Stover
    Daniel Stover avatar
    0 posts
    8/1/2011 3:08 PM
    impressive wand job ...or by "wanding" do you mean walk behind?



  14. Murray Ian W
    Murray Ian W avatar
    8/30/2011 11:08 AM
    I would think that in todays legal climate it is best not to put a person walking through the drift of the boom or dealing with a hose that always manages some chemical. One guy is a waste of manpower two is a complete waste. But, the real cost could become future legal issues using Re entry interval verbatim.

    The foot print vs tire print on psi is accurate, so why not ride and put the nozzles eight feet behind the guy?



  15. Flanagan Darren C
    Flanagan Darren C avatar
    8/31/2011 4:08 PM
    Jccook4 said: Wanded" with FeSO4:



    Cooky, I just wanded today also I love it!



  16. Flanagan Darren C
    Flanagan Darren C avatar
    8/31/2011 5:08 PM
    jgprusa said: Thanks for comments. We all already know it is inaccurate and risky. In fact it is actually stupid to be doing it in the 21st century, but it is commonplace and well entrenched in Japan and Korea. I am attacking the practice full steam in the upcoming September issue of Asian Golf Business magazine. I need any hard data and firm opinions that I can get.

    Probably not much data or studies out there -- as no one is going to waste time on dumb research of stupid things! i have to change directions in Japan and Korea with these huge spray trucks and hand-wand spraying greens. Very ignorant.


    Jim Prusa



    Jim

    Mate why are you worried about it so much? Many people still "wand" if wanding is just using a hose with a nozzle on the end. I have used a brass nozzle to apply everything from bentgrass seed (pre-soaked in water), Iron, Nitrogen, seaweed, Azoxystrobin and so on. I still use a boom spray for primo, herbicide and other goodies it just depends what you are trying to achieve. I use a brass nozzle that puts out 8-10 gallons of water per 1000 sq ft, we will use rates of iron from .75 lbs- 2 lbs of FeS04 depending on what we are trying to do. The practices utilized by "greenkeepers" back in the day are still very relevant. I have seen many greens in great condition from many different practices including "wanding" "sprayhawking" "booming" and the likes.

    Ultimately we are trying to fine tune the genetic origins of the plant with minimal maintenance inputs. Those maintenance inputs can be whatever they need to be; including "wanding".

    Just my thoughts of course, good luck with the article.



  17. Ronald Conard
    Ronald Conard avatar
    4 posts
    8/31/2011 9:08 PM
    I just picked up a crop duster. Not very accurate but fun as hell buzzing the course.



  18. Flanagan Darren C
    Flanagan Darren C avatar
    9/1/2011 3:09 PM
    conard said: I just picked up a crop duster. Not very accurate but fun as hell buzzing the course.



    Ron if it works go for it! I am sure you are just using it for primo apps right?............



  19. James Prusa
    James Prusa avatar
    1 posts
    8/22/2012 4:08 AM
    Everyone, thanks to all of you for some great thoughts and feedback. Here is a link to the article that I did FYI:

    http://www.prusaassociates.com/Articles ... pt2011.pdf

    http://prusaassociates.com/ArticlesJGP.htm



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