Building side dresser

Super Steve · Jan 13, 2016

Im in the planning stages of building a liquid side dresser for putting 28% on corn. I want to use an old 3pt cultivator frame with a tank mounted on it.

Now I come to the pump, im trying to figure out how big of a pump I need. Im thinking either electric or a pto 540 rpm pump.

Im thinking about aiming for 30 gallons per acre.

Lazy WP · Jan 13, 2016

How wide and fast are you planning? That will determine what you need for a pump.Don't over look a ground drive set up. You can dribble 32% on the ground between the rows. To side dress corn you don't need anything fancy.

DeltaRed · Jan 13, 2016

I use an alectric pump that puts out up to 5 1/2 gal per minute.I was able to apply 60 GPA last summer.It fed 6 nozzles.I use this system for Starter fert also. However,I would caution/discourage from putting the tank on the cultivator. 28% is heavy(about 11 lbs/gal). put tanks on the tractor(front,or saddle) or pull a trailer.I simply duct tape the hose to the swewep closest to the row.I use the same pump system on both planter and cultivator.Just use a different orfice,depending on job/rate....Sorry,dont have any pics of cultivator or trailer setup.

Super Steve · Jan 13, 2016

I plant 4x30 do want to match that and I figure 4-5mph will be fast enough to get the acres I do covered. I don't know much about the ground drive system.

DeltaRed · Jan 13, 2016

4x30 is what I do. You will have no problem with a simple electric pump system

JD Seller · Jan 13, 2016

I have built several over the years. They work best with orifices to balance the flow between the rows. For a 4x30 an electric pump will provide enough flow. You will need to know your ground speed and the gallons/lbs. you want per acre to get the correct orifices.

I used a dripless spray nozzle mount with the orifice and a hose barb where you would normally put the nozzle. The you can run the drop hose to put the nitrate behind the cultivator shovel closest to the row. I set mine up to drop on each side of the row.

A red ball setup is a good monitor for a plugged orifice.

Super Steve · Jan 14, 2016

thanx for all the info Delta. I thought I saw that set up here but couldn't remember who posted it. That's exactly what I was thinking about doing.

casecollectorsc · Jan 14, 2016

You get your monies worth out of that M, don't you?! Ingenuity at it's best!

Seth_ia · Jan 15, 2016

How are you going to actually apply the 28%? That may dictate your pump choice. If using a knife or spoked wheel applicator, then pressure will not matter as much. However if you use an orifice spraying into a slit behind a coulter, then you'll need higher pressure than a cheap electric pump can provide. I would be very leery of dribbling on a 30gpa. That is a lot of liquid. If dribbling on 28% is your thing, then I would apply half the nitrogen at planting time(either on the planter or incorporated ahead of planting) and the rest as side dress dribbled on.

brutus49DC · Jan 16, 2016

I used to put 28% on with the cultivator. I used an Ace pto centrifugical pump(which are a dime a dozen)ran through a manifold with orifices and an electric sprayer solenoid. Rate is controlled with pressure, orifice size and ground speed.

Building side dresser

Super Steve

Member

Lazy WP

Well-known Member

DeltaRed

Well-known Member

Super Steve

Member

DeltaRed

Well-known Member

JD Seller

Well-known Member

Super Steve

Member

casecollectorsc

Well-known Member

Seth_ia

Member

brutus49DC

Member

Similar threads