6 Best Flat Fan Nozzles For Herbicide Application That Old Farmers Trust
Discover the top 6 flat fan nozzles trusted by farmers for herbicide application. These picks ensure uniform coverage and superior drift control.
You can have the fanciest sprayer rig in the county, but if you’re using the wrong nozzle, you’re just wasting time and expensive chemicals. The nozzle is the single most important part of your application system, dictating where your herbicide goes and how well it works. Getting this one small, inexpensive part right is the key to effective weed control and protecting the plants you actually want to keep.
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Why Nozzle Choice Is Critical for Weed Control
The whole game comes down to droplet size. Your nozzle’s job is to take a solid stream of liquid and break it into droplets that are just right—not too big, not too small. If droplets are too fine, they become a mist that can drift for hundreds of feet, potentially damaging your neighbor’s garden or a sensitive crop row. This is how you end up with dead tomato plants you never intended to spray.
On the other hand, if droplets are too large, they act like rain. They can bounce or roll right off the weed’s leaf, leading to poor coverage and wasted product. You’ll come back a week later wondering why the weeds are still thriving. The right nozzle creates a consistent droplet size that sticks to the target plant while minimizing drift, ensuring your herbicide works where it’s supposed to.
TeeJet XR: The All-Purpose Workhorse Nozzle
If you ask an old-timer what nozzle to use, they’ll probably point you to the TeeJet Extended Range (XR). It’s the classic, dependable flat-fan nozzle that has been the standard for decades for a good reason. It produces a tapered-edge spray pattern that provides uniform coverage when the spray boom is set to the correct height.
The XR is a fantastic choice for applying systemic herbicides like glyphosate, where getting a good dose on the plant is more important than coating every square millimeter of leaf surface. Its main drawback is its tendency to produce more fine, driftable droplets at higher pressures (above 30 PSI). If it’s a calm day and you’re not spraying near anything sensitive, the XR is a reliable and affordable option that gets the job done.
Hypro ULD: Top Choice for Reducing Spray Drift
When the wind picks up or you’re spraying right next to your prized raspberries, drift is your number one enemy. This is where the Hypro Ultra Low-Drift (ULD) nozzle shines. It’s designed with a special pre-orifice that reduces the internal pressure, creating larger, heavier droplets that are far less likely to be carried away by the wind.
The tradeoff for that excellent drift control is slightly less surface coverage, as you have fewer, larger droplets hitting the target. This makes the ULD ideal for systemic herbicides that are absorbed and moved throughout the weed. For peace of mind when spraying in less-than-perfect conditions, the ULD is the safest bet. It ensures the chemical stays where you put it.
Greenleaf AirMix for Superior Droplet Control
Air induction (AI) nozzles were a game-changer, and the Greenleaf AirMix is a fantastic example. These clever nozzles have two orifices—one to meter the liquid and another to draw in air. The air mixes with the herbicide inside the nozzle body, creating large, air-filled droplets.
When these air-filled droplets hit a weed, they burst and spread out, providing better coverage than a solid droplet of the same size. This gives you the best of both worlds: the excellent drift control of a large droplet and the enhanced coverage of a smaller one. They are a significant step up from standard nozzles and offer a great balance of performance for a wide range of products.
TeeJet AIXR: Air Induction for Contact Herbicides
While standard air induction nozzles are great, the TeeJet AIXR (Air Induction Extended Range) offers a slight but important refinement. It produces a slightly smaller droplet than many other AI tips, which is crucial when you’re using contact herbicides. These products don’t move within the plant; they only kill what they directly touch, so thorough coverage is non-negotiable.
The AIXR delivers that improved coverage without sacrificing drift control. Its droplets are still large and air-filled enough to resist wind, but fine enough to coat a weed’s leaves thoroughly. If you need maximum effectiveness from a contact killer but still need to manage drift, the AIXR is the top choice. It’s a versatile nozzle that can handle almost any situation you throw at it.
Wilger Combo-Jet SR: A Durable, Versatile Tip
Sometimes, the best tool is the one that’s built to last and easy to maintain. The Wilger Combo-Jet series stands out for its durability and smart design. These nozzles often come in a four-piece assembly with a cap, strainer, tip, and body, making them incredibly easy to disassemble and clean in the field without any tools. No more fumbling with tiny parts.
The SR tip provides excellent drift reduction, creating coarse droplets suitable for most systemic herbicides and pre-emergents. They are often made from high-quality polyacetal or stainless steel, so they resist wear and tear far better than cheaper plastic tips. If you’re tired of replacing worn-out nozzles every season, investing in a set of Wilgers is a smart, long-term move.
Hypro GuardianAIR Twin for Dense Canopy Coverage
What do you do when you’re trying to spray weeds hidden under a dense canopy of foliage? A standard nozzle spraying straight down might not reach them. The Hypro GuardianAIR Twin solves this problem by using a twin-fan design that sprays at two different angles—one slightly forward and one slightly backward.
This dual-angle attack ensures the herbicide penetrates deep into the canopy, hitting the target from multiple sides. It’s a more specialized nozzle, but for challenging situations like spraying weeds in established potato hills or controlling insects in thick soybeans, it’s unbeatable. The GuardianAIR Twin provides the ultimate coverage when a single flat fan just won’t cut it.
Matching the Right Nozzle to Your Herbicide Type
There’s no single "best" nozzle for every job. The right choice depends entirely on the chemical you’re using and the conditions you’re spraying in. Thinking about it this way simplifies the decision.
For Systemic Herbicides (e.g., Glyphosate, 2,4-D): These products move inside the plant, so complete coverage isn’t the top priority. Your main goal is drift control.
- Good: TeeJet XR (at low pressure)
- Better: Hypro ULD, Greenleaf AirMix
- Best: Any nozzle that produces a Coarse to Very Coarse droplet.
For Contact Herbicides (e.g., Glufosinate, Paraquat, Diquat): These products only kill what they touch. Coverage is everything.
- Good: TeeJet XR (at higher pressure, on a calm day)
- Better: TeeJet AIXR
- Best: Hypro GuardianAIR Twin (for dense canopies)
- For Pre-Emergent/Soil-Applied Herbicides: The goal is uniform coverage of the soil surface. A standard flat fan or a low-drift nozzle works perfectly well for this. The key is consistent application, not droplet size.
A nozzle is a small thing that makes a huge difference. Don’t just stick with the cheap, generic tips that came with your sprayer. Owning a couple of different sets—perhaps an XR for general use and an AIXR for sensitive areas—is a small investment that pays for itself in better weed control, reduced chemical waste, and peace of mind.
