Clean, Crop-Safe Sprayer
When using different herbicides on different crops reduce the risk of applying herbicide residue on a susceptible crop with a proper cleaning of the sprayer between each product.
Here are a few simple steps to follow:
- Spray crops immediately after filling the sprayer and spray until the tank is empty. Don't leave herbicide residue sitting in the bottom of the tank.
- Look for solid herbicide residue.
- Apply direct pressurized spray to all parts of the tank wall.
- Empty the sump as completely as possible by spraying it out. Repeat the step, each time draining the sump as much as possible.
- Pump clean water through the boom. Open and close all valves, repeat the process.
- Many small washes are better than one big one.
- Clean filters and screens. Nozzle screens and in-line filters can be a reservoir for undiluted or undissolved herbicide and often get overlooked.
- Clean all nozzle bodies. As you rinse the boom, rotate through all nozzles in a multiple head system. Remove screens.
- Consider tank cleaning additives. Appropriate cleaning agents are listed on herbicide product labels.
- Safely dispose rinsate. Whenever possible spray out the tank in the field.