Spray season is right around the corner ā and if you're waiting until the first application day to find out your pump is worn, your nozzles are clogged, or your boom has a cracked fitting, you're already behind.
Pre-season sprayer maintenance isn't just good practice. It's the difference between a smooth, profitable spray season and a costly breakdown in the middle of a critical application window. Here's your complete checklist to get your sprayer dialed in before the season starts.
1. Inspect and Flush the Entire System
Before you do anything else, flush your sprayer thoroughly with clean water. Residual chemicals left in the tank, lines, and boom over winter can degrade seals, corrode fittings, and contaminate your first load of the season.
What to check:
- Tank interior for cracks, residue buildup, or sediment
- Agitator function ā make sure it's moving product evenly
- All plumbing lines for cracks, brittleness, or chemical staining
- Drain plugs and sumps for leaks
2. Check Your Pump
Your pump is the heart of your spray system. A worn pump means inconsistent pressure, poor coverage, and wasted chemical.
Roller pumps: Check rollers for wear and replace if flattened or cracked. Inspect the pump housing for scoring.
Centrifugal pumps: Check the impeller for wear and inspect seals for leaking.
Diaphragm pumps: Inspect diaphragms for cracks or pinholes and replace diaphragm kits annually as preventive maintenance.
š” Pro tip: If your pump struggled to hold pressure at the end of last season, don't wait ā rebuild or replace it now. Pump kits are far cheaper than a mid-season breakdown.
3. Inspect All Hoses and Fittings
Hoses take a beating ā UV exposure, chemical contact, pressure cycles, and temperature swings all degrade rubber and plastic over time.
What to look for:
- Cracks, bulges, or soft spots in hose walls
- Brittleness or stiffness in suction hoses (especially EPDM and PVC)
- Loose or corroded fittings and clamps
- Worn O-rings at quick couplers and boom connections
Replace any hose that shows cracking or significant stiffness. A $40 hose replacement now beats a $400 chemical spill and lost application time later.
4. Clean and Inspect Your Nozzles
Nozzles are your most critical spray accuracy component ā and the most overlooked. Worn or partially clogged nozzles throw off your rate, pattern, and droplet size, leading to poor coverage, drift issues, and wasted chemical.
Nozzle inspection checklist:
- Remove all nozzle tips and soak in warm water or nozzle cleaner
- Use a soft brush (never wire) to clean tip orifices
- Check flow rate ā a nozzle flowing more than 10% over its rated output should be replaced
- Inspect nozzle bodies, caps, and check valves for wear or damage
- Replace diaphragm check valves if they're not seating cleanly
š” Pro tip: TeeJet and other major nozzle manufacturers recommend replacing tips every season or every 25,000 acres ā whichever comes first. If you can't remember the last time you replaced them, it's time.
5. Test Your Boom
Walk the entire boom before you ever fill the tank.
What to check:
- Boom sections fold and unfold smoothly without binding
- All boom plumbing connections are tight and leak-free
- Boom height indicators and leveling systems are functioning
- End nozzles and boom caps are in place
- Section control solenoids are operating correctly (if equipped)
If you run a rate controller or section control system, this is also the time to verify your flow meter calibration and controller settings before you're in the field.
6. Inspect Filters and Strainers
A plugged strainer is one of the most common causes of pressure problems and nozzle issues. Check every filter in the system:
- Tank strainer/suction screen ā clean or replace
- In-line boom strainer ā clean and inspect screen for holes or tears
- Individual nozzle screens ā clean or replace; match mesh size to your nozzle manufacturer's recommendation
- Pump inlet strainer ā often overlooked; check for debris
7. Check Tires, Wheel Bolts, and Lighting
If you're running a self-propelled sprayer, don't skip the mechanical basics:
- Check tire pressure and inspect for sidewall cracking
- Torque wheel bolts to spec
- Test all lighting ā field work often runs into low-light hours
- Check fluid levels: engine oil, hydraulic fluid, coolant, DEF
- Inspect air filter and replace if needed
8. Calibrate Before You Spray
Even a perfectly maintained sprayer needs calibration before the first application. Verify:
- Actual vs. target flow rate at your operating pressure
- Ground speed accuracy ā GPS or radar calibration
- Boom section control ā confirm each section opens and closes correctly
- Rate controller ā run a calibration pass with water before chemical
A 5% calibration error across 5,000 acres of herbicide application is a significant cost. Take the time to get it right.
Stock Up on Sprayer Parts Before the Season Peaks
Parts availability tightens fast once spray season kicks in. Dealers and distributors run low on common wear items ā nozzles, pump kits, hoses, fittings, and check valves ā right when everyone needs them most.
Quality Farm Supply stocks a full line of sprayer parts and supplies, including:
- TeeJet nozzles, nozzle bodies, and check valves
- Ace Pump rebuild kits and replacement pumps
- Kanaflex sprayer hose in multiple diameters
- Boom fittings, quick couplers, and plumbing components
- Filters, strainers, and screens
Order now and ship fast ā most orders leave our warehouse same or next business day.
Pre-Season Sprayer Maintenance Checklist (Quick Reference)
- Flush and inspect tank and agitator
- Inspect and rebuild/replace pump
- Check all hoses and fittings for wear
- Clean and flow-test all nozzles
- Inspect boom plumbing and fold function
- Clean all filters and strainers
- Check tires, fluids, and lighting (self-propelled)
- Calibrate rate controller and boom sections
Quality Farm Supply is your source for ag sprayer parts, nozzles, pumps, hoses, and more. Fast shipping. Competitive pricing. No dealer markup.
