An acceptable range for variability between output nozzles on a boom is:

• A. 10 percent.
• B. 5 percent.
• C. 20 percent.
• D. 15 percent.

Answer: (A)

Maintaining uniform spray across the boom hinges on keeping nozzle-to-nozzle output variation within a practical tolerance. In turf sprayers, a commonly accepted target is about ten percent. This means each nozzle’s flow at the operating pressure should fall within roughly ±10% of the average across all nozzles.

Why this matters: if variation is larger, some areas receive more product while others get less, leading to under- or over-application and uneven turf results. To check, measure each nozzle’s output under typical operating conditions (often with catch cups or a flow meter), calculate the average, and verify that every nozzle is within about 10% of that average. If a nozzle is outside this range, address it by cleaning, replacing, or equalizing tip size, and verify even pressure across the boom and consistent nozzle type and mounting.

Other options are less appropriate because 5% is more stringent than typical field practice and 15% or 20% indicates too much disparity for uniform coverage.