What is the GPA rate of a boom sprayer with 8 nozzles spaced 18 inches apart, traveling at a speed of 1.5 mph with an output of 0.87 gpm?

To determine the GPA (gallons per acre) rate for a boom sprayer, you can use the formula that incorporates the number of nozzles, their spacing, the speed of the sprayer, and the output per nozzle.

First, you need to calculate the number of gallons applied per minute (GPM) by the sprayer. Given that there are 8 nozzles and each nozzle has an output of 0.87 gpm, you simply multiply these values:

Total GPM = Number of Nozzles × Output per Nozzle

Total GPM = 8 nozzles × 0.87 gpm = 6.96 gpm

Next, you must convert the speed of the boom sprayer from miles per hour to feet per minute because the GPA calculation requires consistent units. There are 5280 feet in a mile and 60 minutes in an hour:

Speed in feet per minute = Speed in mph × 5280 ft/mile ÷ 60 min/hour

Speed in feet per minute = 1.5 mph × 5280 ft/mile ÷ 60 min/hour ≈ 132 ft/min

Now, you can calculate the GPA rate using the formula:

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