N Applicator Sized For The Job

2023 - Volume #47, Issue #5, Page #11

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Dan Dykstra found it hard to get an ag retailer to apply 32 percent nitrogen on a 20-acre field, so he built his own rig. For less than $900, he can apply N when he wants it with his 400-gal. rig.
“I bought a 3-pt. rotary hoe for $400, bought a couple of planter tanks for $79, and a used 4-roller pump sprayer,” says Dykstra. “I took the hoe wheels off and bought used disc openers from a guy who rebuilds planters for only $20.”
Dykstra plumbed the applicator with pvc pipes and tees above each opener leading to anhydrous drop tubes. He zip-tied the pvc pipe to the toolbar for flexibility as it moved through the field. His “high-tech” metering device consisted of drilling a 1/64-in. hole in pvc plugs at each tee.
“The size was a guesstimate,” admits Dykstra. “It was the smallest bit I had, and I knew I could always drill larger holes. I figured I wanted the rate too light rather than too heavy. After some trial and error, I figured that 6 mph was about right with that hole size.”
Dykstra figured the pvc plug holes were a good alternative to ceramic tips. “The tips would have been too pricey for this system,” he says.
The only drawback to his $600 system was the size of the tanks. He quickly discovered he could only get about 4 acres with each fill. This past spring, he upgraded his tank and pump.
“I picked up a tow-behind nitrogen applicator at a consignment auction for only $350,” says Dykstra. “It had a 500-gal. tank with a John Blue pump and 3-pt. connectors for a toolbar, but no toolbar.”
The conversion was as simple as hooking on to the rotary hoe toolbar and changing a few hoses.
“I raise sorghum for hay on the field, and I use the applicator to make a half rate pass at planting and another after first cutting,” says Dykstra. “It works great, and I don’t risk burning the sorghum leaves.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dan Dykstra, 18191 Malvern Rd., Morrison, Ill. 61270 (ph 815-590-0331; dykstrafamilycattle@yahoo.com)

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N Applicator Sized For The Job FERTILIZER APPLICATION Dan Dykstra found it hard to get an ag retailer to apply 32 percent nitrogen on a 20-acre field so he built his own rig For less than $900 he can apply N when he wants it with his 400-gal rig “I bought a 3-pt rotary hoe for $400 bought a couple of planter tanks for $79 and a used 4-roller pump sprayer ” says Dykstra “I took the hoe wheels off and bought used disc openers from a guy who rebuilds planters for only $20 ” Dykstra plumbed the applicator with pvc pipes and tees above each opener leading to anhydrous drop tubes He zip-tied the pvc pipe to the toolbar for flexibility as it moved through the field His “high-tech” metering device consisted of drilling a 1/64-in hole in pvc plugs at each tee “The size was a guesstimate ” admits Dykstra “It was the smallest bit I had and I knew I could always drill larger holes I figured I wanted the rate too light rather than too heavy After some trial and error I figured that 6 mph was about right with that hole size ” Dykstra figured the pvc plug holes were a good alternative to ceramic tips “The tips would have been too pricey for this system ” he says The only drawback to his $600 system was the size of the tanks He quickly discovered he could only get about 4 acres with each fill This past spring he upgraded his tank and pump “I picked up a tow-behind nitrogen applicator at a consignment auction for only $350 ” says Dykstra “It had a 500-gal tank with a John Blue pump and 3-pt connectors for a toolbar but no toolbar ” The conversion was as simple as hooking on to the rotary hoe toolbar and changing a few hoses “I raise sorghum for hay on the field and I use the applicator to make a half rate pass at planting and another after first cutting ” says Dykstra “It works great and I don’t risk burning the sorghum leaves ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Dan Dykstra 18191 Malvern Rd Morrison Ill 61270 ph 815-590-0331; dykstrafamilycattle@yahoo com

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