\m     7    2  117    2  1 'Maintenance, Care and Cleaning of Application Equipment'
\t'April 1987'                                                'VI-'
\a             Dr. Vernon Vandiver, Extension Aquatic Weed Specialist
\a
\a            Maintenance, Care, and Cleaning of Application Equipment
\v             Dr. Vernon Vandiver, Extension Aquatic Weed Specialist
\h 1 'Maintenance, Care and Cleaning of Application Equipment'


            MAINTENANCE, CARE, AND CLEANING OF APPLICATION EQUIPMENT

The owners' instruction manual, furnished by the sprayer manufacturer, is a
good reference and guide to the operation, care, and maintenance of a sprayer
or pumping system.  All owners should have a manual for their system, should
study it thoroughly, and keep it for future reference.

Sprayer pump and nozzle wear, caused by the abrasive particles in the spray
material or water, and sprayer deterioration from chemical corrosive action
are the most costly maintenance problems affecting sprayers.  The wear can be
held to a minimum by always using clean water for the spray mixture, using
care in selecting less abrasive spray materials, making sure the spray
chemicals and water have been well mixed before starting the pump, keeping the
proper strainers in place at all times, and never operating the pump without
liquid in the tank.

When pumping diluent from a body of water, as during aquatic weed control
applications, ensure that no sediment or suspended organic matter is drawn
into the system.  This could reduce the effectiveness of the treatment or
inactivate the herbicide being applied.

Corrosion can be reduced by thoroughly cleaning the pumping system after each
period of use.  An ordinary field sprayer should never be used for applying
liquid fertilizers because these fertilizers are very corrosive to metals
other than stainless steel.

Before storage at the end of the season, and after thoroughly cleaning the
sprayer, run a few gallons of fuel oil through the sprayer to help prevent
rust.  Store nozzle tips and all strainers in a can of light machine oil.
Gear and piston pumps should be filled with oil.  Roller and diaphragm pumps
should be flushed with rust inhibitor, and then all openings should be capped.

Herbicide sprayers should be thoroughly washed and cleaned after each use.
The sprayer should first be flushed with water, then cleaned with one of the
following materials in 50 gallons of water by flushing the mixture through the
sprayer:

     1.  1/2 gallon of household ammonia (let stand in sprayer
         overnight)

     2.  4 pounds trisodium phosphate cleaner

     3.  2 1/2 pounds sal soda (sodium carbonate)

     4.  2 pounds activated charcoal (leave in sprayer and lines 10
         minutes)

\bNote:  To remove traces of herbicides that have an oil base, such as the
         ester formulations of 2,4-D, rinse the sprayer with kerosene before
         rinsing it with water and using the cleaners.

         As a rule, sprayers used with chemicals to kill weeds should not be
         used in spraying chemicals for insects or diseases on extremely
         susceptible crops.  The risk of damage to such crops is too great.

(Portions of this section adapted from the Florida Weed Control Guide,
edited by D.H. Teem.)