Power Sprayer Tip #2 – The Best Idea to Reduce Downtime
How would you like to boost productivity, improve service and reduce repair expenses? When it comes to pest & weed control power sprayers, the single most effective means of achieving these results is “Check Your Filter”.
Filtration is critical because debris will wreak havoc on your sprayer.
Clean your filter to prevent problems
A missing filter will allow debris into the sprayer where it can damage the pump, clog spray guns & tips, or accumulate in lines where it will eventually cause further damage or downtime. A clogged filter prevents water from reaching the pump. A dry pump runs too hot and destroys itself. This photo shows a diaphragm pump destroyed from running dry due to a clogged filter. 
Landscaper destroyed a diaphragm pump by not checking & cleaning the filter
We estimate that up to 50 percent of sprayer repairs are avoidable if proper filtration procedures are implemented.
Technicians don’t always like to check filters. It slows them down or they forget. If it is difficult to check and clean the filter, most technicians won’t bother.
It is critical that the filter is located for easy technician access. Easy access means the technician can easily reach and open the filter so that it can be checked and cleaned if necessary. Filters should be placed toward the outside of equipment where access is not blocked by other components.
Here is how one of our competitors does it:
The filter is stuck behind the hose reel (blue arrow). It is almost impossible for the tech to reach. Even if he could reach it, there is no shut off valve between the tank and the filter. This means the filter can't be checked when the water level in the tank is above the level of the filter. This is crazy, bad design that will cost you money!
Good access also requires that the system is plumbed so the filter can be checked without causing a spill. For example, if the suction line is at the bottom of the tank, there should be a shut off valve in front of the filter. This allows the technician to check the filter even when the tank is full (photo).
Checking and cleaning the filter is the single most valuable preventative maintenance task you can perform. It's also the easiest. For new equipment, check the filter daily. If there's consistently no debris, consider reducing the frequency. Checking a filter too often is better then too seldom. Make sure techs do not lose the filter rubber gasket when checking the filter. The pump will suck air without this gasket.
Heavy duty plumbing, plus gate valve to allow checking filter even when tank is full Reinforce with spray techs the importance of checking and cleaning the filter.
Supervisors should spot check equipment to make sure technicians are checking and cleaning filters regularly.
Provide positive reinforcement to technicians that have clean filters and training to techs with dirty or clogged filters. If consistent violators are advised that they will be responsible for any damage that results from their negligence, performance should improve.
These steps, if followed, will boost productivity, allow you to provide better service to customers and reduce repair expenses. Qspray designs its sprayers for maximum productivity like this, which is why so many industry professionals choose Qspray sprayers.
For more information to aid your spray equipment research, read Stop Spraying Money Down the Drain, the industries only guide to spray equipment.