The reason for conducting pre-operational and regular checks is to reduce the potential for time out of the paddock due to maintenance issues, and to ensure the spray system is working correctly and efficiently.

Good maintenance and regular checks can help to resolve minor problems before they lead to the need for major repairs. Unexpected downtime at critical periods in the season can be especially frustrating when conditions are good for spraying.

There are many things the operator should check on a regular basis. Some of these will be quick checks while spraying, others may be at the end of the tank or the end of a day’s spraying.

The most important of all checks the operator can do is when the sprayer is first delivered. Never assume that a new sprayer is ready to spray when it arrives on-farm.

This module refers specifically to checks of the spraying system itself. Spray operators should always perform checks on other mechanical components of the sprayer, as and when recommended by the manufacturer.