Navigating Through the

Metering Tube Maze

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.030 .096

Why metering tube?

Next question?

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Consider This . . . Factors in metering tube selection

Application Rate

Flow Rate Speed Oz/min/row

Row Spacing Tube Diameter and Length

Low, Medium or High Viscosity

Product

Relative

Viscosity

Temperature

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.

Oz/min/row Purple 080 6 -20

Blue 096 10 - 31

Green 110 18 - 55

Tan 125 25 - 75

Orange 150 44 - 126

Yellow 170 55 - 154 Black 187 72 - 205

Oz/min/row

Purple 2.2 - 11.5

Blue 5 - 19.5

Green 9.5 - 37

Tan 14 - 53

Orange 27 - 102

Yellow 33 - 120 Black 48 - 145

Oz/min/row

Purple 1 - 4

Blue 1.8 - 8

Green 2.6 - 14

Tan 4 - 22

Orange 9 - 44 Yellow 13 - 61

Black 18 - 80

Product Relative Viscosity LOW

Mainly N (28-0-0, etc)

MEDIUM Blends of N & 10-34-0

Proprietary Phosphate Blends

HIGH

10-34-0 at 60° F

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.

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Dual Metering Tube Applications 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

(Stainless steel

manifolds for drills

and seeders.)

LiquiShift® 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

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