How often should sprayer calibration be done, and under what conditions should you recalibrate?

• A. Calibrate only when you suspect a miscalibration.
• B. Calibrate only at the start of the season.
• C. Calibration is optional.
• D. Calibrate whenever changing nozzle type, spray booms, or after maintenance; at least periodically.

Answer: (D)

Calibration is about making sure the sprayer delivers the right amount of chemical per area. The actual application rate depends on factors like the nozzle type and condition, spray pressure, boom width, and how fast you’re moving. When you change hardware—such as swapping to a different nozzle type or adjusting or adding spray booms—or after any maintenance that can affect flow (like working on the pump, lines, or filters), those factors can shift. Recalibrating at those times ensures the output matches the label rate, so you don’t under- or over-apply, which can reduce effectiveness, waste product, or cause environmental harm. It’s also wise to recalibrate at least periodically to catch wear or shifts that occur over time, even if nothing obvious has changed. This is why recalibrating whenever changing nozzle type, spray booms, or after maintenance; at least periodically, is the best practice.