The Rack has Your Back with Sprayer Winterization Tips
With post-harvest weed control and pre-seed burn off, the sprayer can be one of the last pieces to be put in the shed in the fall and one of the first to get into the field in the spring.
That can make for a tight maintenance schedule so we reached out to Danny Knight, Wholesale & Logistics Manager at The Rack, for some fall maintenance and winterization tips that he and his team use to make sure the fleet they manage is ready to go when the season starts.
“One of the things we’ve seen since the pandemic is how important it is to identify potential problems as early as possible so you can get the parts ordered,” says Knight.
"Things are getting better but as we all know supply challenges can still pop up without warning and our advice when it comes to maintenance and ordering parts is the sooner the better,” he says.
The Rack operates a fleet of sprayers for custom application, and Knight says each model of sprayer he has worked with over the years seems to have its own unique maintenance challenges.
“When you work with the same sprayer for a few years you get to know the parts that wear, what to look for and where to look,” Knight says. “Those are the areas we put at the top of our list when the season is over and even if they don’t look like they need immediate replacement we might make sure we’ve got the parts on hand in case of emergency next season.”
No matter the model, the one thing all sprayers have in common is a plumbing system. Knight says if you have time for only one thing before freeze up, winterizing the pipes is the priority.
“If you don’t take the time to drain and winterize the sprayer, you risk all the plumbing, from the tank to the tips, being damaged and needing replacement by spring,” he says.
Knight’s team drains and flushes each sprayer’s plumbing system, including the water tender, and cycles RV anti-freeze to prevent any cracking that can cost you big time in the spring.
“If you skip winterization, you're looking at the likelihood of extensive damage leading to a hefty repair bill. And a sprayer that's not ready to go when the season begins, especially if you’re waiting on back-ordered parts, is costing you time and money.”
Thank you to Knight and the team at The Rack for sharing these tips and their complete
Sprayer Winterization Checklist:
- Inspect Spray System for Damage:
- Check plumbing for cracks or leaks before washing.
- Winterize the Water Tender:
- Drain all water from the water tender used to haul water to the sprayer.
- Pull the plug out of the pump to ensure no water is left inside.
- Use RV Antifreeze:
- Drain any remaining water from the system to avoid expansion damage.
- Cycle RV antifreeze through all plumbing components to prevent freezing.
- General Maintenance:
- Conduct a thorough inspection of the entire sprayer, ensuring all components are in good condition and ready to be stored for the winter.
- Pay special attention to components that typically wear out every 2-3 years, including hydraulics, suspension and drive and moveable parts on the boom, which can cause additional damage if neglected.
- Manage data from your monitor to make sure there is room for next season.
- Replace Worn Parts:
- Replace any parts that are worn or broken. Order them as soon as possible to avoid supply chain issues and delivery delays next season.