Proper winter storage of your sprayer helps to extend the life of your equipment. End-of-season maintenance is therefore essential in order to prepare your sprayer for the next season and ensure its proper storage during the winter. Cleaning, repairs and frost protection are the operations to be carried out.

Here are some tips from David Dijoux -  BERTHOUD technical trainer - to carry out this important operation.

 

A thorough cleaning

The first step is to wash the inside and outside of the machine thoroughly. You can improve the cleaning by adding a detergent product. You should rinse and wash your sprayer preferably in a grassy area, at least 50 metres from a water source. Special care should be taken while cleaning the filters, and be sure to drain the booms and bottom of the tank after rinsing.

You must also check and clean the nozzles. They are essential for the quality of spraying. It is therefore essential to keep them in good condition through maintenance and test them regularly. 

Clean (inside/outside) the gauge tube for easy reading of the level in the tank.

Lubricate generously. All the articulated parts of the sprayer will benefit from a generous lubrication for the winter.  Refer to the maintenance booklet which mentions the greasing points of the pump and the oil level to be respected.

 

Frost protection

When the sprayer is cleaned and greased, the use of antifreeze solution is recommended to spend the winter without a bad surprise. If the pump is disassembled and the piping well drained, the circuit is normally safe in case of frost. If not, add an antifreeze solution to the pipes. When you place the sprayer back in service, you must remember to remove this anti-freeze product by rinsing abundantly.

 

Checking the general condition

Drain the pump housing and replace the oil as recommended in your operating manual. If at the end of the season, the pump showed some signs of weakness (difficulty in pressure rise, rattling), disassemble it to examine the valves, membranes, crankshaft and turbines.

Replace the manometer if the liquid (glycerine) in the dial has disappeared.

Check the transmission belts or chains (clean, replace if necessary, check the tension)

Check the lines (drilling, bending, chafing) and that the collars are tight.

Check the membrane of the air chamber, examine the membrane and replace it if there are any fatigue points or “deflation” in the air chamber.

Remove any trace of rust and protect the bare metal parts with a suitable product or touch up the paint. Remember to protect your hydraulic connections.

Check the tyres and the pressure.

Check the pressure regulator. In general, if the pressure regulator control has “hard points”, do not hesitate to disassemble it, clean the inside (especially the thread) and grease. Do the same for the valve seat.

Technical inspection if necessary, check the due date of your last technical inspection and if necessary schedule the next one.