True or False: The use of system monitors and controllers do not completely eliminate the need for sprayer inspection and calibration.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Sometimes

Answer: (A)

The statement is true: system monitors and controllers help manage application rate, but they don’t eliminate the need for sprayer inspection and calibration. Monitors and controllers can fail or drift over time—sensors can lose calibration, wiring can degrade, or a pump can deliver inconsistent pressure—and a controller can only adjust what it’s measuring if the measurements themselves are accurate. Even when everything is functioning, environmental factors and physical wear affect actual output. A nozzle that’s worn, clogged, or damaged will not produce the intended spray pattern or rate, and these issues may not be fully compensated by automation. Temperature, viscosity, speed, and wind can all change how much product actually leaves the nozzle versus what the system targets, so periodic calibration verifies the true application rate. Regular inspections catch leaks, damaged seals, clogged filters, and other hardware problems that would lead to off-target application, which calibration alone cannot detect. By combining routine inspection with calibration, you ensure the system is not only operating as designed but also delivering the precise amount needed in the field.