Spraying in windy conditions - caution used?

[DA Quality Lawn & YS]

I have a limited # of resi fert & squirts that I do with a backpack sprayer. Lately, it has been VERY windy here, seems typical of SE MN in the spring (darn near hurricane force some days, jeez). That must explain the Wind Turbines going up around here.....:)

Do all of you fert & squirters have a high wind limit to where you will not spray if it is exceeded? We had 30 MPH winds here mid-day today, gusting to 40. I saw Trubrown out on a lawn near my house - the spray pattern from his gun was just flying absolutely everywhere. I was afraid I was going to get 3-way drift from that at my house......

So, apparently Trubrown exercises no caution. What about you guys?
I did spray one account tonight at lower winds, with my wand held much closer to the turf than usual.

DA

[xtreem3d]

i just passed my app test so there are a number of guys more knowledgable than me BUt i seem to remember somewhere ( can't swear to it) in the booklets for the test they recommended not spraying when the wind was over 7 mph ( this was in MO)

[unit28]

yesterday I didn't go out,
Today i just did one. It was 12K and no neighboring homes.

To windy for me. And just like you said, the drift was horindus.
I flipped my wand upside down and held tight to the turf.

[a plus bob]

My competitor sprayed last week on a day we were under a wind advisory? HE had his guys spraying lawn apps and one crew spraying round up and surflan in 40 mph winds.He has taken accounts from me this yr. telling my customers I have to many to keep up with.Maybe I could keep up if I sprayed rain or shine like him.Oh yeah did a est. for one of his cust. that he sprayed round up on that day today.

[americanlawn]

We're in the same boat buddy (central Iowa). Past two weeks = high winds or rain. Not good. We're running out of protected areas, and we're behind on big lawns/open areas. Our T3000's are having to use the trim nozzles more often to do the perimeters, and that takes extra time. We have new customers asking why we have not treated their lawns yet. We tell 'em "give us three days when it's not windy, and we'll get their lawn treated".

Lady called this morning (lives on an acreage out in the country). Said she hired a company 3 weeks ago, and they haven't been out yet. Said they quoted $120 to weed & feed. I measured it today. 57,000 sq ft. No wonder those guys haven't been there. WAY too cheap!

Next 2 days are calling for winds gusting 30 - 45 mph. This is one of the windiest springs I can remember. I think it's time to say a prayer. Maybe that will help. Take care bud, Larry :waving:

[tremor]

We sell Miller's drift retardent. It can't fix stupid but it sure helps.

Back in the '80's we used Nalcotrol at C-Lawn. I remember the rate was "3 short squirts" per 1200 gallons. One morning a guy followed the (very generous) label instructions. We then had 1200 gallons of orange Dursban scented Jello to deal with.

[LawnoftheMonth]

We then had 1200 gallons of orange Dursban scented Jello to deal with.

:eek:

i cant even imagine dealing with that.

[Heidi J.]

We're in the same boat buddy (central Iowa). Past two weeks = high winds or rain. Not good. We're running out of protected areas, and we're behind on big lawns/open areas. Our T3000's are having to use the trim nozzles more often to do the perimeters, and that takes extra time. We have new customers asking why we have not treated their lawns yet. We tell 'em "give us three days when it's not windy, and we'll get their lawn treated".

Lady called this morning (lives on an acreage out in the country). Said she hired a company 3 weeks ago, and they haven't been out yet. Said they quoted $120 to weed & feed. I measured it today. 57,000 sq ft. No wonder those guys haven't been there. WAY too cheap!

Next 2 days are calling for winds gusting 30 - 45 mph. This is one of the windiest springs I can remember. I think it's time to say a prayer. Maybe that will help. Take care bud, Larry :waving:

I love competition.. don't get me wrong.. I just hate when they play dirty!:hammerhead: TGCL actually tells our customers they have bought us out or we are no longer in business:nono:

I don't mind low ballers either.. let them lose money. Their lawns can't touch mine. I will not lower my standards to get a job and not make money on it. I found this year we are getting alot of call backs on last years estimates that went to the low baller. :laugh:

Good quality lawn care is priceless..:cool2:

[mngrassguy]

High volume spraying is a lot more forgiving when it comes to wind. That's no excuse for being stupid. I've gotten good spraying done in the early mornings and close to dark. I hit a few commercials on Sunday when the winds weren't to bad. I'm glad I don't have to count on employees to get it done.

It's either wind or rain. Welcome to lawn care!!!

[JDUtah]

Ruffling leaves = spray

Swaying branches = no spray

Some pesticide labels call out a legal wind MPH in which you can spray, but I usually go by the above (within reason)

[naughty62]

I fill my Tanks at nightand knock a couple big accounts in the wee hours .been taking on a lot of piddilly jobs for days . and back out dragging a hose in the evening .A lot of new caller ins whining about thier guy not being able to do weed control .Saturdays and even sundays . yep , a lot of rain and wind this year .gotta go in at 5 and start filling the damb hydro seeder and do my walk around the truck .Thank god them hondas are farely qiet .:laugh::laugh:

[Grandview]

I do several things to deal with the wind. Boom sprayers are a good start, low to the ground. I use Greenleaf air induction nozzles. They are come in two parts, the first part determines flow and the second is a nozzle cap. They fit together like a tee jet nozzle to a body. I use a nozzle cap one size bigger than recommended. This further reduces exit pressure and drifting. My pressure is set at 35, but exits at about 10-12. My pattern is still good. I sprayed yesterday in 10-15 mph winds, at 5 gpa, Never saw clouds of spray blowing off target. I also use Interlock. A very good drift retardant.

[Rayholio]

I love competition.. don't get me wrong.. I just hate when they play dirty!:hammerhead: TGCL actually tells our customers they have bought us out or we are no longer in business:nono:

I don't mind low ballers either.. let them lose money. Their lawns can't touch mine. I will not lower my standards to get a job and not make money on it. I found this year we are getting alot of call backs on last years estimates that went to the low baller. :laugh:

Good quality lawn care is priceless..:cool2:

I hear ya bro.. I'm having customers tell me that TGCL comes to their door and rags on me too.. TGCL has told customers that I use ALL granular apps, and that I'm the worst in town.. (the customer just hasn't been with me long enough to have their lawn ruined yet) etc etc... they'll say anything to get a sale, or start doubt.. I guess I should take off the gloves when it comes to them.. and tell the TRUTH :)

[Marcos]

I have a limited # of resi fert & squirts that I do with a backpack sprayer. Lately, it has been VERY windy here, seems typical of SE MN in the spring (darn near hurricane force some days, jeez). That must explain the Wind Turbines going up around here.....:)

Do all of you fert & squirters have a high wind limit to where you will not spray if it is exceeded? We had 30 MPH winds here mid-day today, gusting to 40. I saw Trubrown out on a lawn near my house - the spray pattern from his gun was just flying absolutely everywhere. I was afraid I was going to get 3-way drift from that at my house......

So, apparently Trubrown exercises no caution. What about you guys?
I did spray one account tonight at lower winds, with my wand held much closer to the turf than usual.

DA

We were trained as lawn jockey applicators in the early '80s to continue spraying our accounts until we saw traffic lights maintain a perfect horizontal position in the wind....no kidding.

But keep in mind, those were still a few years before the days of low volume spray, and long before the days of Perma Greens, etc.

You're right, TG is out there in virtually any condition anymore. :waving:

And I saw a local outfit a few weeks ago running around in my next-door neighbor's backyard with a Perma Green, in the pouring down rain. :dizzy: :cry:

[jsf343]

i just passed my app test so there are a number of guys more knowledgable than me BUt i seem to remember somewhere ( can't swear to it) in the booklets for the test they recommended not spraying when the wind was over 7 mph ( this was in MO)

you are right, I believe if it is over 8 mph in our state it is illegal to spray.

[Marcos]

you are right, I believe if it is over 8 mph in our state it is illegal to spray.

Hell, I'm surprised it's still legal for homo sapiens to poop in Oregon.

[jsf343]

Hell, I'm surprised it's still legal for homo sapiens to poop in Oregon.

tell me about it. Actually the only reason it is legal to poop is because it is organic. :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

sorry, I know its bad.

[Ric]

Hell, I'm surprised it's still legal for homo sapiens to poop in Oregon.

Marcos

Don't knock Pollock Poop (Milorganite) it is some of the best stuff for thickening up a lawn. JJ Baker Trucking has the real gig. They are first paid to haul Sewage Sludge From the Treatment plant, Then they are paid to spread it on Sod Fields. They are # 1 in the # 2 business in my area.

[Marcos]

Marcos

Don't knock Pollock Poop (Milorganite) it is some of the best stuff for thickening up a lawn. JJ Baker Trucking has the real gig. They are first paid to haul Sewage Sludge From the Treatment plant, Then they are paid to spread it on Sod Fields. They are # 1 in the # 2 business in my area.

Oh, you're preaching to the choir, Ric! :waving:
I'm all about compost applications, etc...

Milorganite is good stuff, but quite pricey even when purchased wholesale, when you compare the overall nutrient values to finished compost or bulk protein meals purchased in 50# sacks at rural farm co-ops / grain mills.

Figuring a rate of about 15-20# / 1000 sq ft, I get 50# bags of corn gluten for less than $15, soybean meal for $10, cottonseed meal for around $11, and blood meal $21, not to mention the fact that with protein meals, by and large, the soil's getting a much higher % of bulk protein fiber added to it (compared to processed stuff like milorganite), making it work a little like a two-dimensional compost pile while it grows.

Pollock Poop! I gotta remember that! That's funny stuff!!!! :laugh: :waving:

[Ric]

Oh, you're preaching to the choir, Ric! :waving:
I'm all about compost applications, etc...

Milorganite is good stuff, but quite pricey even when purchased wholesale, when you compare the overall nutrient values to finished compost or bulk protein meals purchased in 50# sacks at rural farm co-ops / grain mills.

Figuring a rate of about 15-20# / 1000 sq ft, I get 50# bags of corn gluten for less than $15, soybean meal for $10, cottonseed meal for around $11, and blood meal $21, not to mention the fact that with protein meals, by and large, the soil's getting a much higher % of bulk protein fiber added to it (compared to processed stuff like milorganite), making it work a little like a two-dimensional compost pile while it grows.

Pollock Poop! I gotta remember that! That's funny stuff!!!! :laugh: :waving:


Yes Marcos

You have elected to go with the 5 ton truck and fork lift to handle the all Orgasmic program. I will stay with synthetic material and get the same sq ft coverage in my 1975 3 door hatch back Pinto. Not that I am knocking your all orgasmic program, I just enjoy what modern technology supplies me. I do use some Orgasmic material because it does give me the best of both worlds.

BTW It surprises me you never hear the phrase, "Pollock Poop". While Milwaukie is famous for Beer, that Beer is made by the large Polish immigrant population of Milwaukie has. So I am guessing you never heard the term Pollock P**s when drinking a beer.

[LwnmwrMan22]

DA -

We've held off on all our apps until the wind stops. Of course all the commercial accounts have been visited by higher-ups in the corporate office this week, and of course we've gotten the phone calls about dandelions.

I tell them that I can spray, but we would like to be approved to do a major landscape renovation.

They ask what am I talking about, and I proceed to tell them that with the 30 mph+ winds we've had the last week, everything will be dead.

Yes, I could run around and spot spray everything with a low rate mix, but I'm not about to waste my time. If the customer won't give me a break, they can move on to the next company.

[unit28]

I'll take it! Send me mo money...LOL

I went out and spot sprayed today.
I'll be a horned goat if I were blanketing though.

I lowered my psi by 60% and recalibrated to get 'er done.
Hit those dandies with a low rate {gettin hot today}of SZ to catch residuals.
Two weeks ago blanketed with 3 way. Today was a few quickies as the 3 way did a great job on everything.

[kbrashears]

If I had to wait for 5mph winds to spray, it would be the middle of August before I got 2 consecutive days to work.

Whatever. 5 mph is a joke. That isn't even a breeze.

[Ric]

OK

Wind doesn't effect me as bad as those who spray low volume. I apply 5 Gallons per thousand with a larger tip and low pressure using a 42" wand. I hold that wand about 12 to 14 inches off the ground. The larger water droplets are not as prone to being blown by the wind when applied low to the ground. The higher you go the more wind there is. Now if you Spray with 400 PSI and shoot 40 ft in the air, I don't care how little wind there is, you will over spray like a Fool and have no business in this business. That is just my humble opinion.

[Marcos]

Yes Marcos

You have elected to go with the 5 ton truck and fork lift to handle the all Orgasmic program. I will stay with synthetic material and get the same sq ft coverage in my 1975 3 door hatch back Pinto. Not that I am knocking your all orgasmic program, I just enjoy what modern technology supplies me. I do use some Orgasmic material because it does give me the best of both worlds.

BTW It surprises me you never hear the phrase, "Pollock Poop". While Milwaukie is famous for Beer, that Beer is made by the large Polish immigrant population of Milwaukie has. So I am guessing you never heard the term Pollock P**s when drinking a beer.

The "5 ton truck & fork lift" approach works just fine for me because that effort & show usually impresses the hell out of the customer base, not to mention the overall end results. :)

Regular apps of Milorganite are akin to eating bowls of cereal every morning that are just chuck full of vitamins & minerals, but are stripped of almost all of their fiber during processing. Gotta poop?!? :laugh:

I'm not necessarily opposed to the stuff, mind you :waving:. I use it on occasion myself. I just believe its not worthy of being the centerpiece of any organic program, lawn or landscape.

Pollock P**s? :confused:
C'mon, Ric! You know damn well who you're talking to!
There's got to be more folks with German heritage around Cincy than there are Poles in Milwaukee!

[Ric]

The "5 ton truck & fork lift" approach works just fine for me because that effort & show usually impresses the hell out of the customer base, not to mention the overall end results. :)

Regular apps of Milorganite are akin to eating bowls of cereal every morning that are just chuck full of vitamins & minerals, but are stripped of almost all of their fiber during processing. Gotta poop?!? :laugh:

I'm not necessarily opposed to the stuff, mind you :waving:. I use it on occasion myself. I just believe its not worthy of being the centerpiece of any organic program, lawn or landscape.

Pollock P**s? :confused:
C'mon, Ric! You know damn well who you're talking to!
There's got to be more folks with German heritage around Cincy than there are Poles in Milwaukee!

Marcos

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT. But what about Potash just to name one element that is missing from that nutritious breakfast you are eating??? I don't want to debate you on the value of Orgasmics I know Orgasmics have value when used in conjunction with Synthetics.

I have never been to Milwaukee but I did live in Cincy in the late 1960's. Unlike Bill Clinton I inhaled with Jerry Rubin long before he became one of the Chicago 7. To talk about Cincy's Blond Blue eyed German girls might get X rated. UC was crawling with them.

[DA Quality Lawn & YS]

If I had to wait for 5mph winds to spray, it would be the middle of August before I got 2 consecutive days to work.

Whatever. 5 mph is a joke. That isn't even a breeze.

I agree with this. We get about 1 or two days below 5mph winds in the spring. 10-15 mph days are more common and I have been spraying on those, low volume large droplet.