Winter is an ideal opportunity for deep-cleaning your equipment, and sprayers are one place where a fresh start pays off. Some aggressive products are often used, including things like toilet cleaners, but it can feel nerve-racking to place products like that inside the same tank you rely on to spray greens.
At Coeur d’Alene National Reserve in Idaho, director of agronomy and reserve operations Zach Bauer, CGCS, found a creative way to safely clean his sprayers: He called a car detailing company. A mobile detailer in the area, who also cleans agricultural and farm equipment, has been a great option for getting the spray tank and system cleaned thoroughly using basic auto soaps and avoiding harsher chemistries. After Bauer’s team finishes the final winter fungicide spray, the detailer comes in and makes quick work of all their sprayers. Bauer feels the investment (under $500 per sprayer) is well worth the price and allows his staff to focus on other important work, like installing winter elk fencing. A quick internet search for farm or agricultural cleaning services – or mobile auto detailers – will let you know if any providers are in your area.
If you’re staying in-house, proprietary tank-cleaning products from fertilizer companies and chemical vendors can help, but sometimes the most reliable method is still simple elbow grease. Read cleaning product labels carefully to ensure they won’t damage electronics, gaskets or other sensitive sprayer parts. A power washer can also make quick work of the season’s buildup, but use it thoughtfully. High pressure around nozzles, hoses, seals and other softer parts of a sprayer can turn a fast clean into an expensive repair.
If your winter to-do list gets longer and longer every year, consider outsourcing sprayer cleaning to a mobile auto detailer. Let a professional save you time and give you better results!
West Region Agronomists:
Brian Whitlark, regional director, West Region – bwhitlark@usga.org
Ross Niewola, agronomist – rniewola@usga.org