Freeze! Are You Winterizing Your Equipment?

Much of the country has already experienced snow, but that’s likely been in areas that are familiar with equipment care and cold temps. This column is more for new technicians who haven’t been through a winter cycle or those of us who live in more temperate areas and may not be ready for that night where the equipment you left in your truck sees freezing temperatures for the first time. Prepping for these events can save you time, headaches and money in the long run…or in an instant.

Some of these suggestions may seem like common sense, but when you have frostbite, can’t feel your toes and a customer is asking you to spray for their bugs, it can cause even the most seasoned professional to make bad choices. First, don’t start with or use frozen equipment. You likely will cause damage to some part of your equipment and maybe not realize it until much later when you have a catastrophic failure. Don’t apply heat or hot water to frozen equipment. This is a surefire way to cause rapid changes and crack something. My last big “don’t” is don’t assume your equipment is fine even if you stored it in a warm place overnight. Equipment can freeze on the way to the first stop or throughout the day if temperatures are below freezing.

SPRAYERS. Backpacks and compressed air sprayers need to be stored empty. In cold weather it is even more critical to only mix what you need to complete the job. Use up the volume. If you must transport mixed product to the next job, drain any lines and the wand. The wand is oftentimes the most expensive piece of a sprayer. Release the pressure on the sprayer and drain the line back into the canister. Alternatively, if the sprayer has a draw tube inside, you can invert the can and clear the line with compressed air from the device. Sometimes you can transport the sprayer in a heated space of your vehicle, but some states will not allow this. Make sure you check with your state regulations before transporting any pesticides in an inappropriate manner.

MISTERS. Mosquito mist blowers likely have been shelved for most of the country, but southern parts of the U.S. still may be performing some spot treatments during warm stretches or be using them for different pest work. The real concern for backpack misters is the engine. While liquids can be removed from the tank and lines, the small engine components need attention and care as well. Unleaded gas and oil mixtures can’t be left in these for more than two to three months without causing damage to internal components. If possible, run the engine dry or use an ethanol-free premix that is designed for longer-term storage.

RIGS. Unlike smaller sprayer pumps, many power spray rig pumps cannot be run dry without damage. This means it may be difficult to pump all the water out of the system. Tanks and lines can be protected by putting some biodegradable RV anti-freeze in the tank and run the system just long enough to get it into the pump and other key areas. Remember to never store the system under pressure. Gas engines should be run dry or run with ethanol-free gas to prevent damage during storage longer than two to three months.

FINAL THOUGHTS. Proper preventive maintenance is critical to working efficiently. Lack of maintenance causes undue stress on equipment and will lead to lost time and frustration when it doesn’t perform like it is expected. Schedule regular cycles throughout the year to do the maintenance your equipment deserves. When performed regularly, maintenance doesn’t take a lot of time. Be sure to tear the equipment down, clean parts and filters, look for wear, look at hosing for cracks or leaks, replace O-rings and gaskets, lubricate moving parts if necessary, and replace spray tips to ensure proper spray patterns. If you are unsure how to properly disassemble or maintain your equipment, check the manual for the device or reach out to the manufacturer or distributor for guidance. They are well versed in the devices they sell and will be able to guide you in your quest. When the weather warms and the bugs start popping, you will be ready to run!

The author is senior technical services manager at Rollins in Atlanta.