Sprayer Maintenance

Properly applying chemicals will help ensure that you have sufficient weed, insect, and disease control – giving you the best chance for a bin-busting year. There are multiple steps for proper application, but they start with sprayer maintenance. These five lists will guide you through maintenance before you start spraying as well as maintenance upkeep during the season.

Note: Check sheets were compiled by Apache Sprayers. Different types of sprayers may require slightly different maintenance guidelines.

Before initial use:

• Check all fluids, engine, and driveline.
• Grease boom.
• Torque lug nuts.
• Grease steering, axle, and driveline.
• Check axle extension bolt torque.
• Tighten poly tank straps.
• Adjust boom.
• Check lighting and flashers.
• Record all field computer calibration values.

Daily maintenance before use:

• Check engine coolant level.
• Check transmission oil level.
• Check hydraulic fluid level.
• Check A/C belt and/or serpentine belt tension.
• Grease boom: grease flag pins, sway pivots, tip hinge, and boom fold pivots every eight hours of run time.
• Check engine air intake system: make sure clamps are in place around the air filter and charge air tubes.
• Check lighting and flashers.
• Review field computer calibrations to make sure they are correct.

Daily maintenance after use:

• Flush wet system.
• Clean boom strainers and main product strainer.
• Inspect machine for product or hydraulic leaks.

Weekly maintenance:

• Torque lug nuts: wheel deflection can loosen the lug nuts, especially when the sprayer is loaded.
• Torque boom lead bolts.
• Grease steering and axle components.
• Grease rear suspension.
• Grease king pins.
• Grease center axle pivot.
• Check differential fluid level: inspect for leaks.
• Rephase steering cylinders: turn wheels fully to the right, continue to turn steering wheel, and then repeat for left side.
• Adjust poly tank straps.
• Adjust boom.

Monthly maintenance:

• Grease driveline.
• Adjust poly tank straps.
• Torque axle bolts.
• Check hydraulic filter indicator.
• Clean radiator.
• Inspect and clean engine air filter.
• Inspect cab air filter.
• Inspect boom for damage and boom pipe for leaks.
• Inspect hydraulic system for leaks.
• Cycle rear suspension all the way up and down.