Weed Sprayers - Check Hoses to Prevent Disasters

Here is a photo of a weed control trailer sprayer. One thing that concerns me is the hose running from the ratchet valve at the front of the trailer to the boomless nozzle at the rear of the spray trailer (photo).

The hose is unsecured so it flaps around in the wind while the operator is driving.

If the hose were to snag on any obstruction, say a tree branch, the hose would pull free and chemical would come pouring out.

Since the driver is driving and looking forward, it might be a while before he notices the huge chemical spill he is creating.

Some thoughts:

- Inspect weed spray rigs for potential problems and address the problems before they become chemical spills or lawsuits

- Inspect weed sprayer hoses for wear, nicks, cuts, abrasions, etc. and replace worn hoses BEFORE they leak.

- On this sprayer, the supply hose should be secured (via wire ties) to the frame so that it can not catch on anything.

- Inspect hoses to ensure they are not rubbing on something (another hose, vehicle, weed spray rig frame, etc.) that will cause wear and eventually a leak. If you see this situation, secure or reroute the hose or shroud the hose in a larger piece of hose to prevent wear.

When my kids were little and made a mess, I would always ask them, "do you know what the easiest way to clean up a mess is?" Eventually they learned the answer - Don't make the mess in the first place. The same applies to weed control sprayers. Prevent problems and chemical spills from happening.

Questions/Comments?