Midseason Sprayer MAINTENANCE MUSTS

To properly maintain their sprayers midseason, lawn care operators should consider implementing the following recommendations.

Lawn care operators (LCOs) must perform midseason maintenance on their sprayers’ various components to ensure their efficiency and safety remain high.

Check the components

Christian Jessel, category manager, equipment, SiteOne Landscape Supply, advises LCOs to inspect each battery for any signs of damage or wear and clean terminals to guarantee that connections remain highly reliable.

In addition, operators must thoroughly clean their sprayers every time they utilize them, focusing on removing debris and residue that may clog nozzles or negatively impact their sprayers’ performances. While doing so, Jessel recommends removing batteries and maintaining their connections’ dryness.

At the same time, operators should also lubricate their sprayers’ pumps. They can inspect their sprayers’ pump seals and O-rings for any damage or wear and then replace them whenever necessary.

“For seals, a thin coating of petroleum jelly, like Vaseline, is recommended,” Jessel adds.

Meanwhile, operators must check their sprayers’ filters for buildups and clogs and clean or replace their filters.

Furthermore, they will need to periodically check their sprayers’ calibration to ensure application rates are accurate. To do so, they should measure the output volume of each of their sprayers with clean water over a given area and then compare each with the rate and spread area that they desire.

“And, finally, operators must inspect their sprayers’ backpack straps and harnesses for any signs of damage, discomfort or wear,” Jessel says.

Prevent clogging, observe signs of wear

Robert Perkins, parts manager, Graham Spray Equipment, believes LCOs should also check their sprayers’ engine oil during their midseason maintenance. If oil levels are low, they must increase them. If oil is dark or has debris in it, they should conduct an oil change.

Additionally, they should clean their sprayers’ screens every day to prevent clogging, which typically interferes with flow rates, and they must wash their spray rigs once a week, at minimum, throughout the entire season.

“Residue from spray chemicals causes corrosion,” Perkins explains. “Weekly washes increase spray rigs’ longevity and helps maintain their professional appearances.”

Operators should also bucket test their pumps. To do so, they can release three gallons of liquid from their sprayers’ tanks into a bucket, while recording how long it takes to completely empty them.

Operators should also observe their belts, while checking the tension on idlers and looking for cracks, dry rot and other signs of wear.

“If a belt needs to be tightened, be sure to leave a half-inch of spring in it,” Perkins adds.

Although Zack Smith, operations and marketing manager, Gregson-Clark Spraying Equipment, thinks sprayer maintenance doesn’t involve major overhauls midseason, he advises operators to focus on critical components.

“I would suggest going through the sprayer, cleaning filters and checking O-rings, specifically on the suction side of the pump, as those often cause air leaks, which prevent sprayers from building pressure,” Smith says.

Maintain hoses, nozzles, reels and tanks

To enhance their sprayers’ efficiency, Jessel, Perkins and Smith recommend lawn care operators to especially focus on their hoses, nozzles, reels and tanks.

Hoses and reels. According to Smith, since hoses will wear out over time, operators should periodically check for signs of wear, including cracks, dry rot and leaks.

“An easy way to extend a spray hose’s life is to flip it end for end,” he says. “This will put the hose that is always dragging on the ground farther back on the reel.”

Perkins adds that an entire hose should be unrolled off a reel and then rewound back on it to verify that the reel is working properly.

Jessel agrees with Smith and Perkins, adding that hoses should be cleaned regularly to remove any debris and dirt.

“Also, replace damaged hoses promptly to prevent water loss and ensure proper irrigation,” Jessel says.

Smith notes that hose reels don’t require such maintenance. “However, it’s good practice to have a spare push button and solenoid on hand," Smith notes.

Nozzles. Much like hoses, nozzles should be inspected for blockages and clogs, too. Jessel suggests operators use a small brush or toothpick to remove any debris that may obstruct nozzle openings. They can clean their nozzles with a mild detergent.

If problems ever arise in the future, Perkins thinks operators should consider having replacement nozzles on hand as well, while Smith recommends they utilize add-on attachments.

“Attachments, such as high-pressure filters, can reduce nozzle clogging, along with downtime, as nozzles won’t have to be cleaned in the field,” Smith emphasizes.

Tanks. Finally, Perkins advises operators to wash their sprayers’ tanks at least once a week to prevent chemical residuerelated corrosion and flush out remaining mixtures in tanks.

“Operators should clean and rinse tanks used for spraying fertilizers, pesticides, etc., while ensuring tank caps are securely sealed,” Jessel says. “And, they should inspect their tanks for signs of damage.”

BY SARAH WEBB