E26-Lancaster Farming, UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre) Cleaning and winterizing spraying equipment are important to prevent corrosion, cross contamination of pesticides, crop injury and to prolong the life of the equipment. Don Daum, Penn State ag engineer, offers the fol lowing recommendations. The last washing of sprayers for the season should be very thor ough. A sudsy detergent solution {'A pound powder or equivalent liquid per 25 gallons of water) will clean sprayers of many pesticides, especially insecticides and fungi cides. However, herbicides, espe cially hormone herbicides, are very difficult to remove and require other cleaning agents. Salt or amine formulations of herbi cides can usually be neutralized by household ammonia (one quart per 25 gallons) or removed with trisodium phosphate (TSP) (two pounds per 25 gallops) or finely ground activated charcoal QA pound) and detergent QA cup per 25 gallons). Ester formulations are very difficult to remove and may even be absorbed by the sprayer hoses; one recommendation is to lanuary Clean And Store Spraying Equipment use a combination of washing soda (one pound), kerosene (one gallon) and detergent ('/< pound per 25 gallons). Be sure to rinse all cleaning solution from the sprayer and completely drain. You can never be sure that all traces of pes ticide are removed from applica tion equipment. However, a thor ough washing and repeated rins ings will greatly reduce the amount remaining. In addition to cleaning before storage, all parts of the sprayer, especially the pump, must be pro tected from corrosion and dam age. One approach is to complete ly drain the entire sprayer system, even if it means partial disassemb ly. Blow air through the system or leave it open to dry; otherwise parts may corrode or water may collect in low places and cause freeze damage. A better method is to add automotive antifreeze solu tion to the sprayer. This provides protection from freezing as well as corrosion. If the sprayer has no rubber parts, used engine oil may be used in place of antifreeze mix. Or fruit growers may want to add dormant oil, since that will be the first spray next spring; just add proper amount of water and spray. Whatever you use, run the sprayer until the liquid is spraying from the nozzles to ensure all parts of the sprayer are protected. If you just drain the sprayer, you should at least put antifreeze or oil in the pump. If the sprayer has an engine, additional servicing is required. Follow the recommendations in the operator’s manual. Clean the Simmental BOZEMAN, MT The American Simmental Association has finalized its schedule of national meetings for 1989. ASA’s 21st Annual Meeting and Convention will be held in Little Rock, AK, February 19-21, with the Excelsior Hotel serving as Convention Headquarters. The Arkansas Simmental Association is planning a cattle sale in con junction with the Convention. “Summer Classic IX,” the high light of the ASA junior member ship year, will be conducted in Des Moines, lowa, during the outside of the engine, especially the cooling fins on an air-cooled engine. Completely drain or add antifreeze to the cooling systems of water-cooled engines. Service or replace the air cleaner. Rust preventive oil can be added to the cylinders to protect the interior of the engine during storage. Drain the fuel system or add a fuel stabilizer. Before storage, check the Association Meeting week of July 10-14. The event will utilize the lowa State Fairgrounds for cattle activities, with support provided by the lowa Simmental Association and Animal Science faculty from lowa State Univer sity. The Association’s 15th Annual Summer Conference will be held July 20-22 in Lansing, MI, with LANCASTER FARMING FOR COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATE MARKET REPORTS sprayer for worn or damaged nozzle tips, cracked hoses, damaged screens, weak clamps, inaccurate or broken pressure gauge, worn pump and drive, or any other part that may need replacement. Order now so you can rebuild the sprayer this winter and be ready when spraying sea son starts again next year. Your sprayer is an important tool and it deserves proper care. Schedule Set the Radisson Hotel serving as Conference Headquarters. The Michigan Ag Expo, sponsored by Michigan State University, will be held concurrently in Lansing. ASA’s 22nd Annual Meeting and Convention will be held in Washington, D.C. with a Conven tion hotel and final dates yet to be determined. READ
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