Spray Equipment Blog

Spray Tanks – Pre-Season Cleanout Worth the Effort

Would you rather have your pest control spray equipment down for servicing now or in the middle of summer?

 

The high season for pest control is approaching. Now is the time, when business is still a little slow, to get your spray equipment in fighting shape for the long hours and hard use it will undoubtedly endure. Taking a little time to prepare now will reduce downtime during your critical busy season, as well as help reduce equipment repair expenses by fixing small problems before the become big problems.

 

The first thing to do is give your tank a good cleaning. Tanks often experience a buildup of chemical residue caused by pesticides falling out of suspension and accumulating on the bottom of the tank. This can cause a variety of problems. 

 

1.   The buildup can affect the concentration of the material you are applying. For example if you are getting toward the bottom of the tank and some of the residue came free, you could be applying material at higher than label rates. Alternatively, you could be inadvertently applying a different chemical from an earlier mix. 

2.   The residue could come free and clog filters, hoses, guns, tips, etc. All of these outcomes are negative and may affect equipment availability, technician productivity and repair expenses. At best, clogged equipment will cause your technician to lose time. At worst, it will destroy your pump.

3.   The cleanout process will remove other dirt, rock and debris that accumulate in a tank that likewise plays havoc with your downstream components.

 

Here are some thoughts for cleaning out your tank:

A.    Get the tank as empty as possible without running your pump dry. 

B.    Fill the tank with clean water and run it through your system. Remove the spray gun so it does not get clogged. Periodically check the filter to be sure it does not clog. Be sure to follow all applicable laws when dealing with the rinsate. If you do not have a good place to spray out the rinsate, spray it into another tank on a different truck.

C.    Add a little more clean water to the tank. This time we do not want to fill the tank we just want enough water to feed the pump and fill the hose. We want most of the tank to be visible. Turn up the pressure on your system and use your spray gun pressure wash the inside of the tank.  Add more water then spray out this rinsate as in “B” above.

D.    Fill your tank with water and add tank cleaner. Tank cleaner is available from your pest control products supplier. Most of these products use 1 pound of tank cleaner per 100 gallons of tank volume. Put the spray hose end into your tank and let the system just circulate the tank cleaner for a while per the label directions. This will remove any remaining chemical residue. Properly dispose of the tank cleaner rinsate.

E.    Run another tank of clean water through the system to remove any remaining tank cleaner.

F.     Sometimes there may be debris remaining in the tank after you have finished the cleanout. This could be stones, bottle caps, etc. We don’t have a good solution for you here. You need to find a way to manually remove this debris so it doesn’t end causing problems later. If your filter is at a low point in the system, it might be easiest to remove the filter then use a garden hose to wash debris out of the tank then out through the filter.

G.    Finally, check and clean your filter to ensure it is debris-free and ready for your busy season.

 

A clean tank is a good tank. It requires a bit of effort but you will be repaid in reduced downtime and fewer, less expensive equipment repairs. Spend time now preparing your equipment so your equipment can make you money this summer.

 

To share equipment ideas or horror stories, email Greess at Andrew@qspray.com or follow him at www.SprayEquipmentBlog.com or on Twitter.

Are You In the Market for New Pest Management Equipment?

The array of new Pest Management Equipment is almost overwhelming. Technology is advancing so quickly that products that were unimaginable a year ago are now not only available, but affordable. Below we share some tips to consider in evaluating new PMP smart systems.

Now, here are some ideas to consider when evaluating new PMP equipment.

1.  Can the benefits of the new equipment be financially quantified?

-   Will sales increase from:

o    Add on sales to existing customers

o    Acquisition of new customers

o    Ability to raise prices

-   Will expenses by reduced by:

o    Decrease in product or product delivery cost

o    Decrease in service time

o    Increase in technician productivity

2.  Be sure to consider all implementation costs and issues. Some of these items are obvious; so not so obvious.

-   Equipment Related Questions

o    What is the warranty and what does it cover?

o    Are replacement and repair parts readily available and what is the cost?

o    How long will it take to receive repair parts (i.e., how long will the equipment be down?)

o    Can service be performed in house or must the unit be serviced by others?

o    What is expected reliability given normal operating conditions of temperature extremes, hard use, bouncing vehicle, etc.

o    Will there be installation costs?

o    Are there any on-going vendor support, subscription or maintenance fees?

o    What is the expected life of the equipment?

-   People Related Questions

o    Will one tech be trained or all technicians be trained?

o    How much training is required?

o    Who will provide the training and where will it be conducted?

o    Can technicians troubleshoot problems with the equipment?

-   Vehicle Related Questions

o    Is there enough space on the vehicle to store/install the equipment?

o    How will the equipment be packed and secured to prevent damage and theft?

o    Will additional documentation be required on the truck (e.g., MSDS/Label, OSHA, etc.)?

If the costs involved in the product are significant, consider asking the vendor for names of other PMPs using the equipment. Obviously, you will only get the names of satisfied customers, but you might still gain some good insight on the product.

Considering these questions in advance of the purchase will assist you in calculating total ownership costs. You will be able to make a more informed decision. See our article Spray Equipment Cost: Purchase Price is Tip of Iceberg for more information. Please email me with your evaluations of new products.

Andrew Greess is the President of Quality Equipment & Spray, which designs and builds custom spray equipment solutions. Andrew can be reached at andrew@qspray.com or visit www.qspray.com.

Making use of free preventive maintenance scheduling can save your equipment’s life

Preventative Maintenance – Pay Now or Pay Later Warning.

If you love equipment breakdowns, unnecessary equipment expenses and technician downtime, stop reading now! Don’t even bother going further if you ignored the free preventive maintenance scheduling offered by your equipment provider. You take your personal vehicle in for an oil change. You know this preventative maintenance will save you time, money and aggravation. Like your personal vehicle, a little preventative maintenance on your spray equipment will go a long way. Unfortunately, too many of us wait for our power spray equipment to breakdown before providing service. Regardless of what you spent on your equipment, whether it is the newest top of the line gear, or a 20-year-old hand me down, a good preventative maintenance (PM) program can make your life easier. Even the best equipment will require maintenance when exposed to typical operating conditions, such as harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures, long operating hours and less-then-gentle handling by technicians, In fact, all spray equipment comes with a preventive maintenance checklist that can save you big repair expenses later. In this article, power spray equipment generally refers to equipment used for:

• Weed Control
• Pest Control
• Landscaping & tree care
• Golf Course maintenance
• Power Washing, etc

First, some general guidelines

1. Consult equipment owner’s manuals, or contact your equipment provider for proper operating conditions, maintenance schedules, etc. Lack of proper maintenance can void manufacturer’s warranties.
2. Train your staff on the proper use of equipment. In our experience, from hundreds of organizations and thousands of spray rigs, we find that:

• Technicians tend to run motors and pumps too fast. In an effort to get their job done quickly, technicians will often set operating speeds and pressures too high for continuous use. Running a pump or motor at maximum speeds is ok for short periods, but running full out for extended periods will reduce equipment life.
• Technicians do not check equipment before starting it up. Instruct your technicians to check line strainers (filters), belts, hoses, etc. before starting equipment. Teach them to identify problems before they occur.
• Train your technicians to report problems instead of just ignoring them. If the pump sounds like it has a problem, it probably does. This should be reported rather than returning the equipment for the next user to have a problem.

3. Track damage/repairs/problems by truck, technician and part to identify problems and training opportunities. A little tracking can go a long way toward understanding the causes of your breakdowns. Track your equipment failures to determine which items you should consider replacing or servicing more frequently and which technicians require additional training. 4. Instruct your equipment provider to install the equipment so that it is easily accessible for maintenance and repairs. If equipment isn’t easy to service, it is less likely to be serviced. For example, if your technician cannot easily reach the line strainer, it is unlikely that she will check the strainer for problems. If your mechanic has to remove the sprayer from the vehicle to change the oil, it won’t get done as often. Next, create a Preventative Maintenance program based on your equipment, technicians, use and Organization’s operating philosophy. For example, if maintaining productivity and avoiding service failures are top priorities, your program may call for replacing certain components at specified intervals, rather than merely checking the parts for wear. To ensure you don’t miss anything, take a structured approach to developing your PM program. For example, our suggestions below follow the flow of material from tank through filter, pump, hose and gun. Use this as your preventive maintenance checklist. Here are some ideas to get you started. Please visit www.sprayequipmentblog.com for more information. 1. Tank Clean your tank periodically to eliminate buildup, debris and contamination. Debris will clog lines and starve your pump. Most pumps will sustain serious damage if run dry for more than a very brief time. You may be surprised at what finds its way into your tank. In our customer’s tanks we have found: rocks, rope, beer cans, trash and men’s underwear. Flush your system periodically with fresh water to prevent problems 2. Line Strainer Check and clean your line strainer (filter) to ensure that only water and chemical gets to your pump. Foreign material should be filtered out to reduce the chance of pump damage. A filter that is too coarse may allow debris to pass to the pump. A filter that is too fine may clog quickly and starve the pump. Most pumps will sustain serious damage if not fed properly. If your water is not debris-free, consider additional filtration. Installation of a filter basket in the tank fill well, or two filters (first a course then a fine strainer) before the pump may be appropriate. When you can no longer rinse out the filter, replace it. Chemicals such as herbicides cause rubber o-rings to swell. Replace the filter o-ring periodically before it swells and no longer creates an airtight seal. Install a gate valve between tank and strainer so that the strainer can be checked even when the tank is full. 3. Pump Service your pump according to manufacturer specifications. You may want to rebuild your pump periodically to prevent problems. Most pumps have repair kits to replace worn parts (for more information see http://www.qspray.com/pumpsandparts.html). It is a good idea to service your pump just before or just after your busy season to be sure the pump is ready for next season. If you wait for your pump to fail before servicing it, you can expect longer downtime and more costly repairs. Be sure spray technicians and mechanics know the signs that a pump requires service. For example, roller pumps and gear pumps require attention when they begin dripping water. Diaphragm pumps require immediate attention when the oil sight glass contains white or milky colored material, or serious pump damage will occur. 4. Engine Service your engine according to manufacturer specifications. Like the engine in your personal vehicle, changing engine oil is the best thing you can do to extend engine life. Periodic tune-ups (change oil, filter, spark plug, clean carburetor, etc.) can keep your engine running and your technicians productive. Inspect pull cord and belts for wear and replace as necessary. Train technicians to check oil and gas levels BEFORE leaving the shop. 5. Hose Reel Most hose reels have a swivel on the input side of the reel. The swivel contains parts that should be replaced periodically to prevent leaks. Check the reel tensioner or locking brake for wear. Servicing the reel can help reduce chemical spills. 6. Hoses Check the main spray hose and all feeder and connector hoses for excessive wear or damage. Check clamps and connections to ensure good fit and an airtight seal. Be sure to check any o-rings, gaskets, washers, etc. that are used to create airtight seals. Failure to do so can result in large spills, especially if the technician is at the far end of 200 feet of hose when the leak occurs. 7. Spray Gun Most spray guns can be rebuilt with repair kits available from your equipment provider. Servicing the spray gun can help reduce chemical spills and technician chemical exposure. A good preventative maintenance program is your best friend for reducing equipment down time and improving productivity. Dollars spent on PM will reduce time lost due to unplanned equipment downtime, help keep your parks looking great, and keep your boss happy.

Read what others netizens are saying about free preventive maintenance scheduling

The author is owner of Quality Equipment and Spray, an Arizona-based company that designs and builds spray rigs for safety, productivity and ease of maintenance. Get lots more information at www.qspray.com or email at andrew@qspray.com.

Spray Pump Maintenance: 8 Surefire Tips for Extending the Life of your Equipment

There are a number of steps you and your staff can take to get better results from your spray pump. These simple steps, if followed, can:

• Improve pump performance
• Reduce pump down time
• Extend pump life

1. Pump Selection. Select and use the correct pump for your application. Not every pump can be used for every job. Pump selection should be based upon:

• Material to be applied – Generally speaking, herbicides and granular fertilizers are very tough on pumps. The best pumps for these applications are usually Diaphragm or Centrifugal Pumps, which can handle the abrasive materials. Pesticides are usually not as tough on pumps and therefore can be applied with a wider variety of pumps (roller, gear, piston, centrifugal, diaphragm, etc.).
• Desired Pressure & Volume – Higher pressure pumps may be required for applications such tree spraying. Higher volumes may be required to spray large areas quickly. Generally speaking, higher volume and pressure requires a pump that costs more. Diaphragm pumps and roller pumps can supply volume and pressure. Centrifugal pump can provide volume but not much pressure. You can find pump specs for many pumps at http://www.qspray.com/pumpsandparts.html.
• Budget – Obviously your budget is a limiting factor. Generally speaking, diaphragm pumps cost more to purchase than other types of pumps. Be sure to calculate productivity impacts when selecting a pump. For example, a diaphragm pump that provides the volume and pressure to do a job quickly may cost more initially, but pay for itself through improved applicator productivity.

2. Good Filtration Ensure that only water and chemical gets to your pump. Foreign material should be filtered out to reduce the chance of pump damage. A filter that is too coarse may allow debris to pass to the pump. A filter that is too fine may clog too easily and starve the pump. Most pumps will sustain serious damage if not fed properly. If your water is not debris-free, consider additional filtration. Installation of a filter basket on the input side, or two filters (first a course then a fine strainer) may be appropriate.

3. Good Agitation Use of granular or non-soluble products requires good agitation both to ensure the proper ratios of product are applied and to keep the material from clogging lines and starving the pump. The selection of jet versus mechanical agitation will be covered in future articles. Please feel free to contact the author (email: andrew@qspray.com) for more information.

4. Proper Plumbing Ensure your equipment is plumbed properly according to manufacturer specifications. Examples include: - Proper input line size to feed pump, - Clear feed to pump (too many constrictions or turns on the input can place undue stress on pump) - Proper return to tank (many pump manufacturers will not warranty a pump if agitation is on the return line) - Centrifugal pumps require a vent line return to prevent pump damage.

5. Keep Equipment Clean. Clean your tank periodically to remove buildup and debris. Debris will clog lines and starve your pump. You may be surprised at what finds its way into your tank. In our customer’s tanks we have found: rocks, rope, trash and men’s underwear. Flush your system periodically with fresh water.

6. Run Your Equipment Slowly. You can extend life by running your pump at the slowest speed necessary to complete the job. In our experience, applicators tend to run pumps at full pressure to finish the job as quickly as possible. Most pumps are not designed to run at maximum for extended periods. Refer to your pump owner’s manual or contact your equipment supplier for effective operating ranges.

7. Maintain Your Equipment Don’t wait for the pump to fail. Perform preventative maintenance to prevent problems and keep your pump running properly. Consult your owner’s manual. For rigorous users, we recommend rebuilding pumps annually. For example, replace diaphragms annually to prevent more costly repairs.

8. Train Your Staff Ensure your staff knows the proper operating ranges for the pump. Have them check filters and hoses. Ensure they know how to identify problems. For example, a diaphragm pump may still function with burst diaphragms. However, if your staff is trained to check the oil reservoir for contamination, you can keep a diaphragm replacement from becoming a total rebuild or a new pump purchase. Likewise, many pumps, if run dry, quickly become a total loss. Tracking equipment problems by crew, individual or by shift may help identify training opportunities. These simple ideas can help keep your equipment running, your staff productive and your boss happy.

If you are interested in learning more, there are lots of good conversations going on about spray pump maintenance

Filtration: Your Spray Equipment's Best Friend

The single most important thing a pest control or weed control company can do to boost productivity of it's spray equipment, is focus on filtration.

Please read my recent article in Pest Management Professional Magazine.

Our Equipment. Your Success.
www.qspray.com

Birchmeier Backpack Sprayers - Best in the Business

Birchmeier makes the best backpack sprayer in the business. It is backed by a 2 year warranty. In my experience, if properly maintained and serviced, it can provide many years of service.

There are a number of easy steps you can take to extend the life of your backpack.

Tip #1 - Always take the pressure off your sprayer. Never store the sprayer under pressure. Release the pressure when the job or stop is complete. This will extend the life of gaskets and orings.

If you would like a complete list of ideas to get more life from your pest (or weed) control backpack sprayer, post a comment or visit www.birchmeierbackpacks.com.

Andrew Greess

Backpacks & Handsprayers

Get more value from your hand sprayers and backpacks. Read my recent article in Pest Management magazine. Click here.