Maintaining clean filters is the simplest way to prevent "Slow Flow" errors and protect your gear meters from damage. While the system is designed to be robust, debris is the leading cause of mechanical wear.
When Switching Crops: This is the most critical time. Cleaning filters between different crop applications prevents cross-contamination and ensures that any "sludge" or buildup from a specific chemical doesn't react with the next product in the line.
End of Season: Always clean and inspect all screens before winterization. This prevents chemicals from drying and "scabbing" onto the mesh over the winter, which can be very difficult to remove in the spring.
Whenever Flow Slows Down: If you notice your induction speeds are dropping, the filter screen is the first place to look.
Cleaning more often will not hurt. In fact, if you are using high-viscosity products (like Atrazine) or products known to have "chunks" or flakes, checking your filters daily or every few loads can prevent a mid-day breakdown during the heat of the season.
When you have the filter housing open, inspect the screen for any tears or collapses. A damaged screen allows debris to pass through directly into the gear meter, which can lead to expensive repairs or inaccurate metering.