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After the machine has been fully cleaned, both inside and out, and has been greased, it must be protected against frost in its winter storage space, unless it is to be stored in a frost free building. Make sure no water is left in the machine, in order to avoid frost damage. All machine components must be totally free of water. To this end, all filters, hoses and lines must be disconnected and valves must be half opened. Rotate the pump a few turns by hand. Do not forget to remove the water from the various supply hoses and lines, by uncoupling the hoses at their lowest point and removing the plugs from the spray line. Also disconnect the nozzles and ensure that they are cleaned, along with the filters, before being replaced after the winter period. Any electrical shut-off valves must be rendered free of water via the drain plug. Ball valves must be left half open if they are to remain frost free.
Alternatively, the machine can be filled with antifreeze; this solution is preferable. This method also offers a number of additional advantages. Firstly, it prevents rubber components (e.g. pump diaphragms) from drying out during the winter. Furthermore, antifreeze has a preserving effect, offering the internal components of the machine better protection against corrosion, etc. Finally, machines which have been stored away with antifreeze in the winter experience fewer problems relating to blockages in the new
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spraying season. This is because any residual liquids in the spray lines will not harden.
The machine can be filled with antifreeze as follows: After cleaning the machine thoroughly, add antifreeze to the tank and activate the pump with the boom section valves closed. Also set the circulation valve temporarily to "circulation". Do the same for accessories which have hoses, taps or valves. After brief circulation pumping, open the sectional shut-off valves and close them again as soon as liquid appears out of the nozzles. The spray lines and shut-off valves are now also full of antifreeze. The pump can now be turned off again. After the winter, remember to drain the antifreeze, after which the machine must be flushed well with clean water.
Pay special attention to the pressure gauge and the pressure sensor. The pressure gauge and the pressure sensor must be removed for the frost period in order that they do not suffer frost damage. The pressure gauge must be stored upright. After all, superfluous water does not automatically drain out.
Once the machine has been removed from its winter storage, we recommend that you check that the pump is not blocked (by ice, for example) before restarting the machine. This can be checked by rotating the pump a few turns by hand.
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