Field Equipment Maintenance: Winterizing Sprayers

Nov 11, 2022

Temperatures across the state are expected to drop much below normal this weekend, so now is the time to get your field sprayers winterized. As you put the sprayer in storage for the winter, this is also a good time to clean and inspect the exterior, tanks, hoses, and other components – including your tendering equipment. This article summarizes some of the key steps to winterizing sprayers. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for detailed instructions for your particular sprayer so you don’t void any manufacturer’s warranty.

Clean the sprayer to remove herbicide residues, if not already done.
Check and service the pump.
Remove filters, nozzles, check valves, and screens from your sprayer and wash them by hand. You can store metal filters and screens in vegetable oil to prevent rusting.
Remove pressure gauges and store them at room temperature.
Remove as much water as possible. Consider using an air hose to blow out moisture.
Add RV antifreeze with a corrosion preventer. Solutions designed to winterize sprayers are also available. Liquid fertilizer is another option, but can cause corrosion.
Circulate the antifreeze through the entire system, including the boom (if applicable). For boom sprayers, turn on one section at a time until you see the antifreeze come out the nozzle openings, then cap the opening.
Refer to your owner’s manual for other components, such as flow meters, rate controllers, and electronics.

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Source : ksu.edu

Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.