Straighten Needles Replace Damaged Needles Realign Needle Pattern Clean Nozzles Internally Polish Nozzles Externally Test each Nozzle for Leaks Check for Proper Spray Pattern Replace O-rings and Sreens of Valves
This process brings your nozzles to optimum condition after a demanding spray season, and allows you to continue to achieve the best possible results from your nozzles.
Your nozzles are an investment for your business that should be treated with care. If properly stored and maintained, they can last 10 or more years. We have seen nozzles come back that are still fully functional after 14 years!
To get the most from your investment, it is highly recommended you do a reconditioning periodically throughout the life of the nozzles. Especially if you are hard on your nozzles, experience severe clogging from improperly strained liquids, or have accidents that damage your nozzles. The cost of reconditioning varies depending on the condition and the size of the needles, but average costs are around $9.00 per nozzle. If you send Check Valves and Adaptors back with your nozzles, we will disassemble them and put them through the cleaning process, as well as check all o-rings, springs and screens. The blue Teflon coated o-rings are always replaced.
We will advise you if we feel it is not cost effective to recondition a nozzle due to severe damage or if they have a broken or cracked lip around the seal of the bottom o-ring.
Reconditioning of a full set of nozzles can usually be turned around in 4 to 8 days but can be longer during busy times. Call ahead if you are in a jam and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
We offer a maintenance discount during the winter months to encourage reconditioning while both of us are not as busy, but it can be done any time of the year as needed.
Damaged Accu-Flo Nozzle sent in for Repair
The Same Nozzle after Reconditioning
Microfoil® Boom & Replacement Parts
Microfoil Boom Characteristics
The MICROFOIL® Boom is a helicopter mounted spray application system designed to deliver conventional water, oil/water and straight oil sprays on target with a minimum of drift. Thickened, particulated or inverted sprays are not necessary and should not be used through the MICROFOIL.
For right-of-way, pipelines, highways and railroads, aquatic areas, rangeland, forestry and drainage ditches, at high altitudes or low, wherever air application is necessary, the MICROFOIL Boom provides the outstanding drift control necessary in today’s environmentally conscious society.
The unique design of the boom is what gives it tremendous drift control capabilities. Its mounting position on the forward tips of the skids on the aircraft segregates the spray pattern from the rotor wash, and the Accu-Flo™ Radial Nozzles produce minimal turbulence, allowing for spray droplet formation and release. Also, a low two pounds per square inch pressure at the needle-like orifices along the trailing edge of the nozzle helps to reduce shear forces. The droplets released are nearly uniform in size with few fines or satellite droplets. Spray falls to the ground in a uniform sheet, rather than drifting down in a cloud as with conventional air application equipment. This results in a sharp delineation of swath and allows aerial application alongside sensitive areas. Nozzle spacing is on 6” centers, and maximum drift control is obtained if boom length does not exceed 75% of rotor diameter.
The toe mounted Microfoil Boom
Microfoil Performance Characteristics
Swath Width: In general, the effective swath width is roughly twice the width of the MICROFOIL Boom at an altitude of 50 feet. A standard boom is 26 feet, but variations of 10, 16, 20 and 30 feet are also possible. It is important to check the swath width at the start of each operation. In addition, the swath width needs to be rechecked when operating altitude and structures change significantly, and each time there is a pilot change. These measures are necessary to ensure accurate application. The MICROFOIL incorporates a dual feed system, which guarantees uniform and equal flow to all nozzle stations, and which allows for a divided swath if desired.
Microfoil In Flight
The MICROFOIL was designed to fly at speeds ranging from 25 MPH to 60 MPH and at heights from 10 to 300 feet. At very slow speeds, the low angle of attack directs the rotor blast closer to the boom and disturbs the spray pattern. This effect requires the forward mounting of the MICROFOIL Boom.
When spraying, the MICROFOIL Boom should always be kept “in trim”, meaning that the spray stream should be 180° to relative wind. This is critical in order to achieve a smooth aerodynamic flow over the nozzles and a straight stream that neither curves up nor down. This is essential to minimize satellite droplets. Winds should not exceed 5 MPH, and in drops above 300 feet, a maximum of only 2 MPH is tolerated. Since factors such as viscosity of spray materials, elevation, volume required, etc. are variables, pressure setting is a relative matter. However, a reliable starting point is 30 PSI. In some situations, droplet uniformity may deteriorate at pressures above 40 PSI. At the other extreme of 19 PSI, valve action could become sluggish, particularly in cold weather. Time and effort expended in determining the factors producing the best pattern in your local circumstances will be well rewarded.
Helicopter Minit-Men using The Microfoil Boom
Microfoil Parts
Microfoil Booms and Replacement Parts are manufactured and sold only by Bishop Equipment Mfg., Inc. Please contact us for product information, costing and availability at 215-368-5307.
