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Dickey John Flow Meter for Agricultural Liquid Herbicide Tractor Controls
Quick Answer: If your Dickey John flow meter drifts or fails on a tractor sprayer, Silver Instruments offers DN10 and DN15 oval gear flow meters with pulse or 4-20 mA output. These units fit most liquid herbicide lines and connect to common rate controllers. Send us your flow range in L/min and fitting type to get a specific model and price.
Why field crews replace Dickey John flow meters
Most Dickey John flow meters work well until they meet aggressive tank mixes. We have seen this on customer sites many times. A sugarcane contractor in Vietnam called us last year about three tractor mounted sprayers. The old flow meters were installed after the pump and before the boom section valves. They handled glyphosate and 2,4-D mixes at 3 to 5 bar. After about 18 months the internal rotors swelled and the reading drifted from 4.2 L/min to 5.8 L/min. That drift changed the dose per hectare. The user replaced two units with SI-OG-DN15-316L oval gear meters and kept the existing Dickey John display. Field readings returned to 4.2 L/min and stayed within 0.1 L/min over the next season.
Flow meter options for liquid herbicide
Two flow meter types fit most herbicide systems. A positive displacement oval gear meter works with thin and slightly viscous formulations. It gives a stable volumetric output even when temperature changes. An electromagnetic flow meter works best for water based tank mixes with conductivity above 20 µS/cm. Because oil based carriers have low conductivity, choose the oval gear type. Silver Instruments models use 316L stainless steel bodies and PTFE or PEEK internals. These materials resist common acid and amine based herbicides. Standard accuracy is 0.5 percent of reading. Repeatability is 0.05 percent. Typical pressure rating is PN16 and temperature span is -20 to 80 °C.
Tractor fitting and controller signal matching
Most Dickey John rate controllers accept a hall effect pulse input. Our oval gear flow meters can be ordered with NPN open collector pulse output. The standard wiring uses red for 8-24 V DC, black for ground, and white for pulse. If your monitor needs a 4-20 mA analog signal, we can add a converter module. Common process connections are 3/4 inch BSPP male, 3/4 inch NPT male, or DN15 tri-clamp. In practice, many farmers in Thailand and Indonesia replace a 3/4 inch NPT unit without changing the hose. Check the thread type before ordering because BSPP and NPT look similar but do not seal the same way.
What flow range do you actually need
Pull type sprayers with 18 to 24 m booms usually run between 3 and 12 L/min total flow. Small spot sprayers and knapsack tractor rigs operate from 0.2 to 3 L/min. Large self-propelled units can reach 15 L/min per section. Pick a flow meter with a range that covers your peak flow plus 20 percent. For most boom sprayers, select SI-OG-DN15-316L with a range of 0.3 to 15 L/min. For micro dosing and section control, select SI-OG-DN10-316L with a range of 0.05 to 3 L/min. Here is the thing. Flow range on the datasheet is not the same as field accuracy. A DN25 meter may work at 1 L/min but the error can
Installation notes for tractor mounts
Mount the flow meter after the filter and before the boom section valves. Keep it away from direct pump vibration. Use a short flexible hose connection on both sides if the tractor frame shakes. Allow 10 pipe diameters of straight run upstream and 5 diameters downstream. For pulse output cables, use shielded wire and ground the shield at the controller end only. We have seen installers in Brazil tie the meter to a folding boom arm with cable ties. That caused broken wires and erratic readings after one season. Use a U-bolt clamp and a stainless steel bracket instead. Do not install the meter on the suction side of the pump. So air bubbles and cavitation destroy repeatability.
Silver Instruments model suggestions
The SI-OG-DN15-316L fits most tractor mounted herbicide jobs. It has a 316L stainless steel body, PTFE rotors, 0.5 percent accuracy, and pulse or 4-20 mA output. Process connections can be 3/4 inch BSPP male or 3/4 inch NPT male. The SI-OG-DN10-316L suits low flow spot spraying and row application. Both models accept slurry type tank mixes with fine suspensions. For corrosive mixes with high chloride content, ask for a Hastelloy C option instead of 316L. We also supply a version with a local display if you need to read flow without opening the controller menu.
Frequently asked questions
Can this meter replace a Dickey John flow sensor on a John Deere or Case IH sprayer
Yes in most cases. Match the fitting thread, the flow range, and the output signal. Many rate controllers use a square wave pulse input. Tell us the controller model when you order and we will set the output type.
What flow meter size works for a 200 litre spray tank
A 200 litre tank on a small tractor or ATV sprayer usually runs 1 to 6 L/min. DN15 is the correct starting point. If you spray a low volume mix below 1 L/min, use DN10.
Does Silver Instruments calibrate for glyphosate and 2,4-D
We calibrate with water or light oil as a reference fluid. We can apply a correction factor for viscous tank mixes if you provide the viscosity in cP. Field chemicals vary, so we do not claim a fixed calibration for every brand of glyphosate.
What signal do most rate controllers need
Most accept a pulse signal from a hall effect or reed switch. Our standard pulse output is NPN open collector. We can add a 4-20 mA module for analog monitors. Specify the controller model when requesting a quote.
How long does delivery take to Australia or Southeast Asia
DN15 and DN10 oval gear meters are usually in stock. We ship within 3 to 5 working days. Courier delivery to Brisbane, Jakarta, Bangkok, or Nairobi takes 4 to 7 days by DHL or FedEx.
Send us your required flow range in L/min, operating pressure in bar, fluid type, pipe or fitting size in DN, and controller model. Contact Silver Automation Instruments at Tel: +86-25-68650347, WhatsApp: +86-25-52155837, or WeChat: +86 15365082610. We will reply with a specific flow meter recommendation and a quotation within one working day.
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