External Cleaning

An area covered with low value, unused grass may be an appropriate “filter” for distribution of rinsing water from the sprayer and an appropriate place to clean the outside of the sprayer and tractor. The grass hinders movement of the agrochemical solution and encourages it to become chemically bonded to soil particles while it degrades.

It is advisable to dedicate such an area - moved every year - on the farm.

Another possibility

Another option is to have special equipment fitted for external cleaning of the sprayer in the field. Clean water from the rinse tank has to be reserved for this purpose.

Hoses with a high pressure supply are being used to rinse those areas of the machine that get the greatest level of contamination; the rear of the tank, the booms and wheels.

The frequency of external cleaning will depend on spray quality and wind direction, as well as exposure time and temperature. Evidence suggests that infield cleaning should be done at the end of every spraying day for both personal and environmental safety.