A CFV Valve short for - Constant Flow Valve - maintains a constant pressure at the spray nozzle on applications using a backpack, portable pump or even the 12 Volt mounted herbicide applicators.

After testing the results in a word - Impressive!

The model tested was the 14psi unit (Yellow) in agricultural herbicide applications.

Of 35 test units, 19 were Solo Backpack Sprayers, 12 standard 1/4" spray wands on various make hand pumps and backpack sprayers and 4 units were installed on 12Volt applicator units ranging from 15 gallon to 25 gallon tanks.

The distribution of units was as follows:

15 - Ornamental Nurseries/Tree Farms
6 - Vegetable Growers
5 - Tropical Fruit and Citrus Growers
4 - Landscapers and Lawn Maintenance
2 - Golf Courses
3 - Industrial Applications

All applicators used fan type Teejet Nozzles, and in the initial testing they only inserted the CFV Valve in-line with their existing Tips. As testing progressed, the applicators fine-tuned their delivery systems for more effective coverage. 23 applicators installed XR80015VS Nozzles (0.09gpm@15psi), 8 applicators used XR8002VS (0.12gpm@15psi)

Initial reports from applicators were a dramatic increase in tank range (area covered by on tank compared with the previous system. On average, tanks were covering 28% to 30% more area.

This was due to the stabilization of the flow during the entire tank cycle as the CFV Valve eliminated the "Peaks and Valleys" in pressure caused by the random pumping of the operator. Especially in backpack sprayers, operators tend to pump up high pressures which cause high flows through the nozzle and, the CFV Valve, being set at 14psi will not allow the pressure to build up at the nozzle, thus assuring an even flow through it to the target.

Operators with 12 Volt applicator tanks reported increases in range of up to 15% Due to the additional pressure control that the CFV Valve gave the system.

The second stage of the test was to "fine tune" the herbicide applications by installing more sophisticated nozzles in the applicator's equipment.

There were those that still wanted more volume ("wanted to see the spray") and were given XR8002VS Teejet Extended Range Flat Spray Tips. Despite the "more volume" (0.12gpm@15psi) these operators reported better coverage with up to 40% less volume spent on the crop.

The other group of applicators was supplied with XR80015VS Teejet Extended Range Flat Spray Tips and reported up to 48% better usage of the spray material.

As a cross section, 80% of the applicators were applying their normal herbicide formulas based on Roundup Pro at various concentrations, ranging from 2% to 0.75%.

The intent of the tests was to compare flow rates and tank ranges and not get into product formulations, but rather maintain those formulations as they were for better comparison purposes.

All applicators, without exception, were satisfied with the results and since have outfitted all their herbicide application equipment with CFV Valves.

In selecting the appropriate nozzles for this particular CFV Valve (Yellow, 14psi/1Bar) we found that we could not get good results out of the newer Air-Induction type nozzles, as these require higher pressures (minimum 30psi) to operate. They can be used with the CFV Valves rated at 3 and 4 Bar, but are also regularly used on spray booms where the pressure is already regulated.

The selection of smaller volume nozzles for the second part of this test was instrumental in demonstrating to the applicators that lower rates of herbicides, when applied with the proper equipment will produce the same or better results than greater volumes.

CFV Valves are available for installation on most brands of 1/4" and 3/8" sprayer wands.

The cost is about $12.95 to get 30% or more productivity out of your low pressure sprayers with the CFV Valve.