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IMPORTANT: Remove tank lid and be sure the tank is
clean and free of any foreign material. Rinse tank out
of any tank residue before filling with water to test.
Testing the Sprayer
NOTE:
It is important that you test your sprayer for leakage and proper spray
patterns with plain water before chemical application is attempted.
This will also give you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the
operation of the sprayer, without the possibility of losing any
expensive chemicals.
1.
Fill the tank about 1/2 full with plain water.
2.
Open the valve in the suction line and allow water to flow to the
pump. The valve is located at this point to enable the strainer to
be taken apart for cleaning, while solution remains in the tank.
CAUTION: Always be sure that the water (or solution) has reached
the roller pump before starting your sprayer. If the pump is allowed to
run dry, serious damage to the pump will result. Do not run your
sprayer with the boom/handgun line closed AND the bypass line
closed. Doing this will damage the pump.
3.
It is always best to start the sprayer at little or no pressure. This
sprayer is equipped with a spring loaded pressure relief/bypass
valve. Turn the valve knob out to decrease pressure and in for
increased pressure.
The bypass valve is the "pressure control" for the entire plumbing
system. The more the valve is open, the lower your line pressure.
Almost fully closed provides maximum pressure to your handgun.
NEVER run your system with this valve 100% closed.
4.
The pumping system includes an agitator which will help keep
the solution in suspension. Pressure to the agitator should
never exceed 100 PSI. When spraying at pressures over 100
PSI, use the brass valve (in the hose reel/agitator plumbing
assembly) to throttle the pressure to the agitator by closing the
valve. As solution is forced through the agitator, the venturi
action triples the flow through the agitator. The valve in the line
may shut off the agitation completely when not needed or it can
throttle the amount of solution going to the agitator if too much
agitation occurs.
5.
You may now start the sprayer engine following the engine
manufacturers instructions. Let the sprayer run at low pressure
until water has reached the handgun and all air has been
purged from the system.
Caution: Care must be taken, being sure the handgun is secured
in the operators hand. If this is not done a recoiling action may
occur causing damage or personal injury.
6.
The pressure should now be increased to 30 - 40 PSI. Operate
the sprayer at this increased pressure for 3 to 5 minutes,
thoroughly testing the unit before adding chemicals.
When everything tests all right (no leaks and good pressure), add the
desired chemicals to the mixture and water combination and start
your spraying operation. Adjust the pressure and spray as you did in
the testing procedure. The sprayer should now be ready to use.
Conditions of weather and terrain must be considered when setting
the sprayer. Do not spray on windy days. Protective clothing must be
worn in some cases
Be sure to read the chemical label(s) before application!
Priming the pump
To help prime the pump, keep the inlet or suction line as short as
possible with a minimum of bends, elbows and kinks. Make sure all
connections are tight and do not leak air. Make sure the line strainer
is free of debris. If pump does not self-prime, disconnect suction
hose, fill with water and reconnect to liquid source. Often a squirt of
oil into the ports of the pump will seal clearances and help priming.
Facing the pump, the suction port is on your left.
Page 2
Maintenance During/After Spraying
Periodically close the suction line valve and check the line strainer
and clean the screen. Stop the engine and shut off the valve near
the strainer. Remove the bowl and screen portions of the strainer
and wash them free from all impurities. You may also drain the tank
by uncoupling the suction line near the strainer. Open the valve and
pour the contents into another container. Read the chemical label
for disposal instructions.
Proper care and maintenance will keep your pump wear at a
minimum and will keep it running smoothly and trouble-free for a
long time and prolong the life of your sprayer.
After use, fill the sprayer tank part way with water. Start the sprayer
and allow the water to pump through the entire plumbing system
and nozzles. Drain and then refill half full with plain water, add the
recommended amount of good quality tank cleaner such as FIMCO
Sprayer Tank Neutralizer and Cleaner. (If no tank cleaner is
available, you may substitute dish soap for this step, about 1-2 oz.
per gallon). Turn sprayer on and circulate through system for 15
minutes and then spray out through handgun nozzle (and boom
nozzles if applicable). Refill tank half way with clean water and
repeat. Follow the chemical manufacturer's disposal instructions of
all wash or rinsing water.
For the boom (if applicable) remove the tips and screens from the
nozzle assemblies. Wash these items out thoroughly. Blow the
orifice clean and dry. If the orifice remains clogged, clean it with a
fine bristle (NOT WIRE) brush or with a toothpick. Do not damage
the orifice. Water rinse and dry the tips before storing.
Flush the pump after each use. One of the common causes of faulty
pump performance is "gumming" or corrosion inside the pump. This
prevents the rollers from moving freely. Flush the pump with a
solution that will neutralize liquid pumped. A rust inhibitor can also
be squirted into the ports of the pump. Turn shaft several times to
draw protective liquid through pump and coat entire inner surface.
WARNING:
Never pump corrosive or abrasive liquids as these will
cause rapid wear or deterioration of body, rotor, shaft and seals in
the pump. Never run pump dry. Some chemicals will damage the
pump valves if allowed to soak untreated for a length of time!
ALWAYS flush the pump as instructed after each use. DO NOT
allow chemicals to sit in the pump for extended times of idleness.
Failure to follow this warning will void the product warranty.
Follow the chemical manufacturer's instructions on disposal of
all waste water from the sprayer.
Winter Storage
Prepare the sprayer for end-of-season storage by draining all water
out of your sprayer, paying special attention to the pump, handgun
and valve(s). These items are especially prone to damage from
chemicals and freezing weather.
The sprayer should be winterized before storage by pumping a
solution of automotive antifreeze (containing a rust inhibitor) through
the entire plumbing system. This antifreeze solution should remain
in the plumbing system during the winter months. When spring time
comes and you are preparing your sprayer for the spray season,
rinse the entire plumbing system out, clearing the lines of the
antifreeze solution.
Proper care and maintenance will prolong the life of your sprayer.
It is nearly impossible to drain all of the water from the sprayer and
any trapped water can freeze in cold weather and damage parts of
the sprayer. Pumping the antifreeze through the system will
displace the water and help prevent this damage.
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