Cleaning out a boom sprayer

sea2summit · Mar 23, 2021

Picked up an old trailered boom sprayer I plan to use to haul water to my garden. I have no idea of it's history, gentleman who owned it was 90 when he passed several years ago and he was the last known user so it likely hasn't been used in years. The pump was removed and the bottom had three different holes in it I assume where the pump fed/emptied in the tank. Tank was completely dry when I pooped the hatch without odor of any kind. I cut two hoses to get the booms off for transport home and there was liquid in the hoses but didn't smell or have any type of texture so I believe it was just accumulated water.

So cleaning it, I'm thinking just soap and water a couple times and call it good? Like I said, just wanted an easier way to haul a bunch of water for the garden and maybe give the pigs some mud when it's hot.

Thoughts?

old and tired · Mar 23, 2021

Most farmers will use ammonia to clean out the sprayer so there isn't any residue. Sprayers are expensive and are usually taken care of (cleaned after use). I don't see a problem with your plan...

If you can hit it with a hot water pressure washer, that might be better...

cmyoung2 · Mar 24, 2021

Actually ammonia is usually the recommended cleaner for sprayers, of course DO NOT MIX with Clorox. I agree with the pressure washer, with any kind of soap. Trying to rinse a tank without the agitator pump is hard. Before using it on the garden, put some of the water on clover. If there is any broadleaf herbicide it should affect the clover. Better clover than the wife's tomatoes.