Old sprayer question -

[Britcheflee]

I have the old Bolens tractor from the barn working good now - it came with a McKissick sprayer which, after some work on the pump also works pretty good. The only problem is that because it sat so long there is obviously some loose rust in the galvanized metal pipe parts which are after the filter in the system - so the spray tip keeps getting clogged up - is there anything you know if which I can run through the system to help clean out the pipes - would some CLR do the trick?

Also, when storing spraying equipment like this with metal parts in the system should I leave some water in or drain it completely dry - or, is there something similar to Stabil for fuel you can put in to keep the system from rusting?

Thank you,


Lee

 

[JMOR]

Had the same problem on my spray boom. Many of these chemicals used in spray rigs are terribly corrosive. I solved my nozzle clogging by zip tying PVC pipe to the old galvanized boom pipe and transferring the nozzles and inlet to the PVC, leaving the metal pipe for mechanical support only. My nozzles has individual screens, but they too would clog from all the rust.
Been trouble (clog) free for years!

 

[crazy8]

Pull the nozzles off and flush out the boom.

 

[Bob]

1.) Do you have the little screens in place ahead of the nozzles (if applicable).

2.) There's stuff on the market to clean out and neutralize the system when changing sprays or storing. Below is a link to ONE source.

3.) Up here in the frozen north, I use RV antifreeze in the system over winter. It prevents freezing, as well as rust and keeps seals lubricated.
CLEAN it

 

[Hearthstone]

Ditto on the spray corrosives. To go even further, if you plan on
spraying any Roundup, the label indicates that it reacts with
galvanized metal to form gas (hydrogen if I remember correctly).
Best to move away from metal, but remember that the particles in
the sprays, especially wettable powders, will wear the nozzles to a
wider opening, meaning they will put out more spray than they are
rated for.