Latest VPTech nozzle assembly from Cambridgeshire firm Hypro is said to provide an ideal spray configuration for pre- and post-emergence autumn sprays. It delivers a flat fan spray containing a mixed droplet spectrum, which is said to be ideal for the greatest coverage of small grass weed targets.

“Getting all the spray to the target and achieving uniform coverage is absolutely critical to making the most of pre-emergence autumn herbicides and getting blackgrass control off to a good start,” says Roger James, Hypro product manager. “The new VPTech nozzle can help by delivering a mixed droplet spectrum including fine drops, and by producing the correct overlap pattern for different boom heights – 110 degrees for 50cm boom height or 80 degrees for 50-70cm.

The VPTech nozzle assembly comprises a Hypro TwinCap body, one 80 or 110deg VP tip and a blanked second outlet. Different sizes of VP tip can be inserted easily or exchanged for a different tip design for other spraying jobs. Replacing the blank with a second spray tip creates a twin-spray nozzle for applications where forward and rearward angled sprays from one nozzle are advantageous.

For autumn spraying to combat grassweeds, the 30deg inclination of the spray jet is a key feature; Hypro recommends that nozzles are fitted so the tips face alternately forwards and backwards along the boom. This overlapping inclined pattern is said to ensure effective coverage of both sides of the target – whether soil clods when applying pre-emergence sprays or small grassweeds when spraying post-emergence.

Although spraying with the lowest possible boom height is always the preferred way to minimise spray drift, the 80 degree version of the VPTech is said to help where this is impractical. It produces a smaller proportion of the finest, most drift-prone droplets and a slightly larger average droplet size.