SCH 4MPS Three-Point Linkage Mounted Sprayer 125L User Guide

: June 5, 2024
: SCH

SCH 4MPS Three-Point Linkage Mounted Sprayer 125L User Guide

SCH 4MPS Three-Point Linkage Mounted Sprayer 125L User
Guide

www.schsupplies.co.uk

DESCRIPTION

This very versatile three-point linkage sprayer has an integral 12-volt diaphragm pump powered from the tractor battery. The 4MPS sprayer has a 70-litre capacity, and the 4MPS/125 has a 125-litre capacity. Both sprayers are supplied with a 4-nozzle spray boom and hand lance.

The lance is ideal for spot application of weed killers to nettles and docks. The hand lance and boom are easily changed over by means of quick release couplings.

All mounted sprayers are supplied with a 5-litre fresh water washing bottle.

4MPS SPECIFICATIONS

SCH 4MPS Three-Point Linkage Mounted Sprayer 125L - 4MPS
SPECIFICATIONS

4MPS/125 SPECIFICATIONS

SCH 4MPS Three-Point Linkage Mounted Sprayer 125L - 4MPS 125
SPECIFICATIONS

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Never leave your sprayer where someone could trip or walk into it.
Always make sure that the sprayer is firmly fixed to the vehicle.
Never allow people to ride on the sprayer.
Do not use the sprayer in close proximity to other people.
Do not inhale the chemical.
Do not allow the chemical to come into contact with food.
Do not smoke while operating the sprayer with chemicals.
Do not allow the spray to contaminate rivers or ponds.
Do not allow children to play with the sprayer.
Do not spray on windy days.
Do not use tar-based products.
Always store the sprayer in a safe place.
Wear protective clothing and eyewear when operating the sprayer.
Test and familiarise yourself with the sprayer by using plain water.

If in doubt, please call the SCH customer help line at 01473 328272.

PREPARATION FOR USE

Mount the sprayer on the 3-point linkage pick-up mechanism of the tractor.
Make sure the centre link arm is adjusted so that the tank sits level
Connect the power lead to the battery (Brown to + Blue to -)
Choose the applicator: –
– To fit the hand lance connect it to the back delivery hose from the pump, the nozzle fitted will give a hollow cone spray
– The spray boom is fitted to the bracket at the rear of the sprayer and is held in position by a thumb screw (the nozzle should be approx.
400mm-500mm (16”-18”) above ground)
Make sure the black delivery hose is secured firmly in place on the boom fitting
Commence spraying by operating the on/off toggle switch control. The pump may take time to dispense any trapped air in the system, when an even flow is achieved commence spraying.

TROUBLESHOOTING

If the pump fails to operate: – Check the electrical connection
If the pump fails to deliver: –
– Check suction hose is in correct position.
Check the filter head of pump is clean.
Check the ‘O’ ring on filter bowl is in position.
If the boom is fitted make sure the nozzles & filters are clear.
Check the lance handle is clean by unscrewing the brass barrel, also ensure the nozzle & filter are clear.

MAINTENANCE

Clean the unit after use.
Always protect the unit from frost.

HAND LANCE

SCH 4MPS Three-Point Linkage Mounted Sprayer 125L - HAND
LANCE

PARTS LIST

SCH 4MPS Three-Point Linkage Mounted Sprayer 125L - PARTS
LIST

SCH 4MPS Three-Point Linkage Mounted Sprayer 125L - PARTS LIST
2

Please contact us for help with spare parts.

CALLIBRATION

Calibrate as directed by the chemical manufacturers’ instructions

UNDERSTANDING CALIBRATION

The law requires some 30,00 contractors and employed persons involved in pesticide applications to obtain a Certificate of Competence.

These personnel will receive a good grounding in the safe and efficient use of pesticides. The exemption rules are such that there will be a large pool of people applying pesticides who, at best, will not have undertaken recent training. A few far-sighted employers have incurred not inconsiderable costs by including all their employers on the training courses and will more than recoup on this investment over the years in increased efficiency.

Why Calibrate?

It is now a legal requirement for all users to adhere to the label recommendations with regard to dosage rates, method of application, etc.

Besides being illegal to exceed the maximum recommended dose, getting the application rate wrong can have distinctly adverse effects on the cash flow and budgets.

Consistent overdosing of sites is not only environmentally undesirable; it also increases the risk of damage to non-target species and run- of damage in more sensitive areas. It can, even with a modest spraying programme, cost hundreds of pounds each year in wasted chemical and unnecessary losses.

Under dosing, on the other hand can be equally costly. If weeds, for example are not controlled at the first application, a second later application may be necessary. This may involve higher rates, a more expensive chemical or even hand weeding. Add to this the disruption to work schedules and it becomes evident that careful monitoring and control of all application programmes is essential.

Correct application and efficient monitoring is only possible if all personnel involved have a thorough understanding of calibration techniques.

TERMINOLOGY

Treated Area

All chemical data, whether in advisory leaflets or label recommendations, is stated in litre or kilogrammes of product per treated area. The actual area to be treated thus has to be calculated for budgeting, purchasing, job planning and calibration purposes.

Overall Application

The treated area is equal to the gross area

Band Application

The treated area is less than the gross area and is calculated thus: Band width x Band lengths x No of bands

Spot Application

The treated area is significantly less than the gross area and is calculated thus:
Area of spot = 0.7855 x (diameter) ² (metres) (derived from πd ²) 4
Treated area (ha) = Area of spot x No of spots per ha ÷ 10,000
Quite obviously, the smaller the area that can be treated to achieve the desired result; the less costly the operation. With the area calculated, the variables involved can be determined in order to calibrate equipment to complete the spraying operation in a safe and efficient manner.

Forward Speed

With overall and band applications, control of forward speed is critical in determining how much chemical is applied. This will vary with the type of terrain and must be realistically calculated. In flat terrain where unimpeded progress is possible, forward speed will be greater than in undulating, heavily vegetated conditions. In the latter, trial may be necessary to determine a constant work rate, which can be, maintained both up and downhill.

Swathe width

The width covered at each pass is known as the swathe width and will vary with, for example, choice of nozzle, operating pressure and height of application. Having selected the appropriate nozzle and operating pressure the height selected must in the case of hand-held equipment be comfortable for the operator.
Equipment is comfortable for the operator. With non-pressurised equipment, such as CDA and gravity systems, there are obviously no operating pressures to worry about.

Nozzle Output

Nozzle output is critical in all spraying operations and it is important to select a nozzle type appropriate to the viscosity of the concentrate being applied/swathe width required.

Flow Rate

Flow rate will vary with nozzle type, viscosity, pressure and the ambient temperature at the time of application.
After selecting the most appropriate nozzle for the operation adjustment to pressurise equipment will be necessary to achieve the desired flow rate. Flow rate in powered machinery can be controlled by engine speed and/or internal pressure adjustment.

Application Rate

Spray coverage of the target being sprayed should be sufficient to give an even application of the correct dose of pesticide on the area to be treated. The manufacturers recommendations must be followed and where there is a choice of options, i.e., high, medium, low, very low volumes, select the most appropriate volume to achieve the desired result.

Tank Dilution

From the application rate, it is possible to calculate the amount of pesticide required per full tank.
Pesticide per fill (litres) = Tank volume (litres) x Pesticide volume (litres/ha ÷ Diluent’s volume (litres/ha)

CALIBRATION TECHNIQUE

Having determined the above, the next step is to calibrate the actual equipment chosen to apply the required amount of concentrate on the target area.
Each type of application obviously has its own calibration method which must be studied and closely followed, but in general the following notes for spraying equipment will hold good.
It is most important to understand that each applicator will vary slightly from others of the same type and manufacture. Thus, each piece of equipment must be individually calibrated.
The selected nozzles should be filled with water and the correct operating pressure selected.
The output of each nozzle should then be measured by spraying into a measuring jug for a set period of time, e.g., one minute, to give the nozzle output in litres/minutes.
As output will vary from nozzle to nozzle, in boom equipment the output from each nozzle should be checked. In larger boom equipment, at least four nozzles should be checked- one from each section and the output calculated accordingly. If nozzle outputs on boom equipment vary by more than 5%, the faulty nozzles should be replaced.

If output varies by a small amount from the calculated output, with some types of equipment, altering the operating pressure can rectify this. Where the output varies by a large amount, the calibration calculations should be re- checked and the nozzle type changed if necessary.
With all equipment the application pattern is checked and swathe width measured by treating an area of dry soil, concrete, etc.
Once the actual output is known, the forward speed can be calculated, in the case of liquid sprayers,
thus: Forward speed (meters/hour) = Measured nozzle output (litres/minute) x 600,000 x (no of nozzles)
Volume rate (litres/ha) x Swathe width (meters)
The equipment can then be filled with the recommended mixture of pesticide and dilatants. Never add
pesticide concentrate direct to an empty tank, always half-fill the tank with dilatants prior to adding the
concentrate and mix thoroughly.
A suitable test area. e.g., A 100m strip can be sprayed at this speed. At the end of this the actual
application rate should be determined by topping up the tank using a measuring jug. The forward speed
can then be adjusted to ensure that the concentrate is applied at the correct rate.
The serviceability of the equipment can be tested at the same time. Leaks are environmentally
unacceptable and waste expensive. Blockages lead to patchy results and both make efficient monitoring
impossible.
The full calibration process is only necessary when equipment has not been used for a while, after
servicing or after changes in nozzles and pressure are made.
It is however, good practise to check the actual application rate at the commencement of each days work and after lunch. Adjustments can be made as appropriate.
Each employee will require access to a stopwatch and tape measure in order that they can monitor their own output. If resistance is met then this is a good indication that the employee has not understood the reasons behind the calibration process and further training is needed.
The process can be tedious but as operators become more familiar with the techniques, the loss in application time is reduced and more than offset by the improved results obtained.
Much can, of course be done by management to simplify the task by the production of job sheets clearly setting out the details of each task and providing space for records to be kept. These when returned, can be filed and the statutory requirement for adequate records to be kept met.

MANAGEMENT TASKS

Analyse the objectives of the operation
Select the most effective chemical to achieve these objectives
Check the manufacturers recommendations to ensure that it is suitable for the task and select an appropriate application rate
Select the most efficient equipment to apply the chemical
Calculate the dilution rate per tank: Pesticide per fill =
Tank volume (1) x Pesticide rate (1/ha) ÷ Dilatant’s rate (1/ha)
Select an appropriate tank pressure for pressurised equipment
Select the correct nozzle to give the required swathe width
Calculate the gross area
Calculate the ACTUAL area to be treated. Overall application: Treated area = gross area Band application (ha): Treated area = Band width (m) x Band length x no of bands Width between row (m) Spot treatment (ha): Treated area = [0.7855 diam² (m)] x no spots/ha ÷ 10,000
Calculate an optimum forward speed based on the equipment to be used, the terrain type and the ease of movement
Issue comprehensive yet simple instructions to staff
Ensure that a record of the operation and its effectiveness is kept and any problems investigated fully

SUPERVISORS TASKS

Read notes provided and check details
Check weather including wind speed and re-schedule operation if unsuitable conditions prevail
Ensure all operatives are issued with the correct safety wear, that this is serviceable and worn
Fill the sprayer with water and set to correct pressure
Measure nozzle flow rates using measuring jug Nozzle output (1/min) = quantity of spray in jug (ml) x 60,000 ÷ Time (sec)
Adjust pressure to give calculated output (if possible). If significant variation from calculated output, check calibration calculations and, if necessary, change nozzles
Spray an area of concrete or dry soil to determine the actual swathe width and for an even droplet pattern. With boom equipment ensure that the spray pattern from each nozzle overlaps correctly
Check for leaks and blockages. Blockages should only be cleared by using compresses air and never with wire!
Using the actual nozzle output and the actual swathe width determine the actual forward speed required to apply the correct quantity of chemical Forward speed = Nozzle output x 600,000 x No of nozzles ÷ Volume rate x swathe width
Compare this with the optimum speed and recalculate the operation if necessary
Fill the tank with correct quantity of concentrate / dilatants
Mark out an appropriate test area, spray and calculate the actual application rate. Adjust the forward speed as appropriate
Issue clear and simple instructions based on the actual output of the equipment
Monitor the operation and ensure that regular checks on output are made
Ensure that tank washings and surplus chemical are disposed of safely in accordance with the law
Ensure that adequate records are maintained on the basis of the actual operating parameters

A SIMPLE GUIDE TO CHEMICAL / FEED APPLICATION

If the area to be sprayed is 3000 sq. metres. and according to the instructions of the liquid bottle you select says sufficient for 1000 sq. metres. Put 3 bottles in the tank and go over the area (north/south, east/west) until the tank is empty.

Please note that having tested your sprayer with water as advised you may not require a full tank of mixture. Therefore, adjust requirements accordingly.