Agricultural sprayer correct cleaning is one of the main stages to assure chemical management efficiency, precision and safety. Built up residues compromise nozzles, filters and hoses, generate application failures and increase soil and crop contamination risk.
Apart from preserving operator´s health, the adequate cleaning prolongs agricultural machine lifespan and sustains operation quality, preventing clogging, corrosion and drift.
In this guide, you will understand how to clean the agricultural sprayer in complete and safe way, which products to use, when to perform each stage and which Stara technologies help in this routine.
Why is cleaning the agricultural sprayer fundamental?
Chemical residues compromise application uniformity and can change the metering delivered to the soil or plants. It affects pest control, product efficiency and crop field health directly. Lucas Luersen, Stara agronomist, stresses:
“Adequate adjustment assures spreading precision, correct rates and machine lifespan”.
That is repeated in agricultural sprayer cleaning, any residue built up in tank, filters of nozzles compromises the spraying uniformity. Thus, keeping the equipment clean assures benefits, including:
· clogging and row failure prevention;
· wear reduction of hoses, valves and spray nozzles;
· crop field protection against previous operation chemical residues;
· more agronomic efficiency and better chemical usage.
When the sprayer is not cleaned correctly, part of previous chemical solution can remain in the system. In the following applications, these residues mix with the new product and can cause phytotoxicity in the crop, with symptoms including leave spots, boundary burning or plant development reduction.
This risk increases, for example, when the equipment alternates among herbicides, fungicides and insecticides, or when there is crop change in the area. Tank, filter, hose and nozzle complete cleaning reduces this possibility and helps to present crop field stand, strength and productive potential.
When should sprayer cleaning be performed?
The cleaning must be performed whenever there is residue build-up risk. It includes:
· before the first daily application, assuring the tank is remain-free;
· after each use, to prevent deposit drying and formation;
· as product or category is changed, like herbicide to fungicide;
· by the end of operations, preserving the system for the next operation.
If the sprayer remains stopped for long periods, perform deep cleaning to avoid residue solidification.
Step-by-step procedure to clean agricultural sprayers correctly
Sprayer correct cleaning avoids clogging, keeps the flow stable and preserves application quality, preventing phytotoxicity. A structure routine assures constant performance and avoids failures in the field. Check the step-by-step procedure.
1. Total chemical solution draining
Drain the tank completely in adequate location, following environmental practices and the disposal foreseen to chemical solution remains.
This stage prevents undesired chemical reactions between products and reduces incrustation formation risk. Always check if the row is also empty before proceeding to pre-washing.
2. Internal pre-washing
Make the clean water circulate through the system to release residues stuck in tank walls and release coarse particles from ducts. The pre-washing enables detergent action in the stage and reduces filter clogging chance.
Keep the recirculation for enough time for the water to reach clear at system ends.
3. Tank washing
Open lids and inspection points to reach the internal walls. Use specific sprayer detergent, rubbing with adequate brush to remove chemical residues and crusts.
Rinse until the water is completely clean, assuring there are no remains that can change the mix itself or compromise the metering.
4. Hose, filter and valve washing
Remove filters, wash each part separately and check if there are no cracks or blockage points. As Luersen reminds:
“Handling mistakes can cause fertilizer, seed, chemical solution and machine channel clogging”.
The correct cleaning avoids specifically this kind of problem.
5. Cleaning of spray nozzles
Remove the nozzles and perform a careful washing. Never use metallic or sharp objects, as it change the jet geometry. Use:
· running water;
· soft brush;
· appropriate detergent, if required.
Check nozzle natural wear, as small deformities increase the volume applied and raise costs.
6. Final rinsing with recirculation
Make a full recirculation with clean water, assuring all the system is residue-free.
This stage confirms detergent, particles and product remains have been completely removed. If the final water is turbid, repeat the rinsing until achieving the clarity desired.
7. Final test
Perform agricultural spraying only with water to validate operation. Check if the pressure is kept stable, if every nozzle presents the same droplet pattern and if there are no failures in sections or valves.
This test identifies problems before the return to the field. As Luersen stresses:
“The operator must calibrate and adjust the implement step-by-step carefully. That assures a good result”.
The cleaning follows this logic precisely: method and attention.
Agricultural sprayer external cleaning
Apart from internal cleaning, sprayer external part care helps to preserve components, painting and structure. Stara provides specific products to this routine, indicated to machines that operate in constant contact with oil, grease, chemicals and fertilizers.
ST Clean
In intense dirt situations, use ST Clean grease remover, developed to agricultural machine heavy cleaning.
Before ST Clean, wash the machine with warm water until 40°C or, if it is not possible, with plenty of water. Then, dilute according to dirt level:
· intense dirt: 1 per 1 ratio, i.e., 1 litre of ST Clean in 1 litre of water;
· moderate dirt: 1 per 5 ratio, i.e., 1 litre of ST Clean in 5 litres of water.
Apply the product with gun, let it act for approximately 5 minutes and rinse well, avoiding residue build-up. Next, let the machine dry in a place protected from direct sunlight, always complying with label instructions.
ST Film
To protect the structure against oxidation, use agroprotective ST Film. It forms a waterproof film on sprayer surfaces, increasing machine lifespan and enabling future cleaning.
ST Film application must be performed with painting gun, on clean and dry surface. Upon application, wait for full drying, avoiding contact with water or dirt within this period. The first application is executed in the factory. Reapplication is indicated at every 500 hours of operation or upon ST Clean grease remover use.
Whenever you need to refill ST Clean or ST Film, the farmer can search for the closest Stara dealer, assuring brand sprayer authorized product use.
6 points to be aware of during cleaning
Some mistakes can be unnoticed during sprayer cleaning, however they compromise next application efficiency and product durability. The cleaning must follow a strict pattern to prevent mechanical damages, spraying failures and even product cross-contamination.
Avoid:
1. using metallic tools in nozzles;
2. mixing chemicals without performing a complete washing;
3. leaving residues in the filters;
4. performing process in a hurry;
5. ignoring contaminated external points;
6. using inadequate detergents.
The right product choice makes a difference in cleaning result. In the next topic, check which products are really indicated to clean agricultural sprayers safely and efficiently.
Products recommended to cleaning
Cleaning efficiency depends on the right products. Common detergents can damage hoses, sealings and nozzles. Thus, you should ideally use solutions developed to spraying systems, capable of removing chemical residues without damaging the components.
Some products recommended include:
· specific agricultural detergents: remove herbicide, insecticide and fungicide remains. They avoid incrustations and reactions between different chemical solutions;
· chemical residue neutralising agents: indispensable when the sprayer switches products. They eliminate remaining molecules and reduce phytotoxicity risk;
· nozzle and filter specific cleaners: they loose dry residues without changing the nozzle orifice, preserving droplet pattern and flow;
· mineral deposit removers: relevant in regions with hard water. They dissolve lime and prevent pressure loss.
Safety during sprayer cleaning
Agricultural sprayer cleaning involves direct contact with chemical residues and sensitive equipment parts. Thus, the safety must be approached as part of the process, not as a complement. Attention to procedures reduces contamination risks, accidents and damages to agricultural machine operator.
Good safety practices include:
· wear complete PPEs:
· wash the equipment in a ventilated location;
· avoid splashes as you open filters and valves;
· follow label recommendations;
· keep people and animals from a safe distance.
How can cross-contamination be avoided?
Cross-contamination happens when previous chemical solution residues remain in the system and interfere in the next application. To avoid that, perform complete cleaning of tank, hoses, filters and nozzles, following correct order of draining, pre-washing, washing and final recirculation
Complying with rinsing cycle indicated by the manufacturer assures the sprayer is ready to receive a new chemical solution, keeping the application precise and uniform.
Technology to enable sprayers cleaning and maintenance
Imperador line self-propelled sprayers were designed to make operator´s daily routine easier, including cleaning routine. The Continuous Recirculating System keeps the chemical solution homogeneous during operation and reduces residue build-up in piping, simplifying sanitising process upon use.
On the other hand, Nozzle-By-Nozzle Control System and spraying electronic control enable identifying nozzle flow variations, clogging and failures that become major problems. These anticipated alerts enable the operator to aim the cleaning at critical points and avoiding waste in the next application.
With Topper, it is possible to monitor pressures, sections and operational parameters, assuring that each cleaning stage is validated before returning to the field.
In case there is doubt during the process, the operator relies on Conecta, a remote technical assistance service that enables interpreting alerts and system inconsistency identification.
Learn more about agricultural sprayers
The Stara blog has experts who provide the best information about this agricultural machine and other ones. See also:
· Sprayer to be used in a crop field: how to choose the perfect one?
· Agricultural spraying: what’s the right time and why using a self-propelled machine?
The cleaning assures precision and longer lifespan to agricultural sprayer
As seen herein, sprayer cleaning is an essential stage to assure machine efficiency, safety and lifespan. Clean equipment preserves nozzles, filters and valves, reduces field failures and assures more accurate applications.
With adequate good practices, technology and maintenance, the farmer enhances operation performance and protects your investment in the field.
Another doubts on agricultural sprayer cleaning
How many litres of water should be used?
The volume varies according to tank capacity, however the good practice is to use between 10% and 15% of total capacity by rinsing cycle, assuring the system is completely washed.
Is it necessary to disassemble filters and nozzles?
Yes. The disassembly enables remover residues built up inside the parts, something only the washing by circulation itself does not remove.
What happens in case of incorrect washing?
The lack of cleaning changes the work pressure, modifies metering applied and compromises uniformity. It reduces efficiency and can generate undesired effects in the crop field.
Can the air jet be used to unclog nozzles?
No. The compressed air can deform the orifice and change droplet pattern. The correct is using running water, soft brush an specific detergent, when required.
Did you like the suggestions and want to find out what is the ideal agricultural machine to your harvest?
Visit a Stara Dealer and find the most adequate equipment to maximize your agricultural production. Ask for a quotation.
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