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Navigating Through the
Metering Tube Maze
©2015 SureFire Ag Systems—All Rights Reserved
Why metering tube?
.030
.096
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Next question?
Metering tube can be used in place of a traditional orifice to provide even distribution of the liquid
product to each row. The picture above shows a typical replacement; replacing a .030 orifice with a
piece of metering tube with a .096 opening. Systems using metering tube have virtually eliminated
the problem of plugged orifices.
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In a typical application an 8’ long piece of metering tube is used for each row instead of an orifice.
The combination of the length of the tube and the diameter of the opening determines how the
product is metered.
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Because of the flow dynamics
involved, a given piece of metering
tube will have from 10% to 75%
greater flow range over the same
pressure range than will an orifice.
Typically, 8’ long pieces of metering
tube are used. However, tubes may
be cut longer or shorter than 8’ for
any particular application.
At times, a longer tube with a larger
diameter may be preferable to a
shorter tube with a smaller diameter
or vice versa.
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SureFire Ag Systems has 1/4” OD metering tube available in 10 different size inside diameters,
ranging from .047” to .187” to handle almost any liquid application need.
Our extensive testing of how products flow through the metering tubes allows us to configure your
system for optimum performance.
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The flow of a liquid through a metering tube is highly dependent on the viscosity of the fluid. A
higher viscosity product will require more pressure to push it through a tube than will a lower
viscosity liquid. Stated another way—at a given pressure the flow rate of a high viscosity product will
be less than the flow of a lower viscosity product.
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Our testing has led us to divide products into 3 categories based on their relative viscosities.
That is why we offer different sizes of tubes. By changing the size of the tube, we are able to
accommodate different products and different flow rates.
Consider This . . .
Factors in metering tube selection
Application Rate
Oz/min/row
Speed
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Flow Rate
Row Spacing
Tube Diameter and Length
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Relative
Viscosity
Product
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Low, Medium or
High Viscosity
Temperature
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A change in any of the variables on the left half of the chart above will impact the product flow through the
metering tube. Having a good understanding of how these variables affect the flow will enable the user to
optimize his metering tube application.
Product Relative Viscosity
LOW
HIGH
10-34-0 at 60° F
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Mainly N (28-0-0, etc)
MEDIUM
Blends of N & 10-34-0
Proprietary Phosphate Blends
Oz/min/row
Purple
080
Blue
096
Green
110
Tan
6 -20
Purple
Oz/min/row
Oz/min/row
2.2 - 11.5
Purple
1-4
Blue
5 - 19.5
Blue
1.8 - 8
18 - 55
Green
9.5 - 37
Green
2.6 - 14
125
25 - 75
Tan
14 - 53
Tan
4 - 22
Orange 150
44 - 126
Orange
27 - 102
Orange
9 - 44
Yellow
170
55 - 154
Yellow
33 - 120
Yellow
13 - 61
Black
187
72 - 205
Black
48 - 145
Black
18 - 80
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10 - 31
These are approximate flow rates from 10 to 65 PSI through an 8’ piece of metering tube. No product will
exactly match the table above. Flow for the same product will change as the temperature changes the viscosity
of the product.
Product Note: Black Label typically has a higher viscosity than 10-34-0. Dilutions of Black Label
or any other product will have a lower viscosity than the product alone.
Adjust the variables named above as needed in the field to optimize application experience.
©2015 SureFire Ag Systems—All Rights Reserved
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A typical SureFire metering tube application has consisted of
plumbing two different size metering tubes to each row with a
manual ON/OFF check valve connected to each tube. This makes a
very versatile system with a wide application range and the
advantage of the larger diameter metering tube compared to an
orifice. The dual tube system can be set up on planters, drills,
seeders, strip till machines, and any sort of liquid toolbar.
With the dual tube system, the product can be set to flow through:
 The small tube or
 The large tube or
 Both tubes
 It’s like having three different rate ranges available
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Dual Metering Tube Applications
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(Stainless steel
manifolds for drills
and seeders.)
LiquiShift®
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In 2014, SureFire introduced the LiquiShift.
The LiquiShift utilizes the same two metering tubes to each row concept
described above, with the added feature that the LiquiShift control
module switches between tubes on the go. So again, on a dual-tube
LiquiShift system, the product can flow through the small tube, or through
the large tube, or through both tubes, accommodating a wide range of
variable rates and/or variable speeds. The LiquiShift system utilizes the
SureFire PumpRight hydraulic pump and connects to the John Deere
Rate Controller, the Trimble Field-IQ module, or the Ag Leader display. A
prescription with a wide range of variable rates across the field can be
handled. Wide speed ranges can be handled as well. Or you can move
from field to field and change rates without having to change orifices.
Larger diameter opening reduces the chances of plugging.
Flow dynamics gives metering tube a wider range than an orifice.
A Winning Combination!
Shift on-the-go between tubes