Tote sprayers and spray rigs

The weight on the truck

A full 275 gallon tote weighs over 2,300 pounds. That is more than many half-ton pickups can carry, and liquid sloshing in a tall tote changes the center of gravity every time you brake. Check the truck's payload rating, secure the tote with rated straps to anchor points, and consider a half-full load, which sloshes less than a full one but more than a baffled one.

• Strap in two directions.
• Use a baffled tote or a trailer with surge control for long hauls.
• Keep the valve closed and capped while moving.
• Never carry people with the load.

Spray history

A tote used for crop spray should have a documented history and should be dedicated: do not carry a herbicide in one load and a fungicide in the next. Keep a record of what it carried and how it was rinsed. Rinse water is a regulated waste in some cases, so follow the product label and the state rules.

Wash-down and dust

For wash-down and dust control, a rinsed tote of plain water is enough. Fit a pump and a hose reel and keep the cap screened. Avoid leaving water in the tote through the week; it warms and breeds algae. A translucent tote in a Florida summer can grow a green film within days, so a dark cover or a painted cage shield is worth the effort on a rig that sits outdoors.

Cleaning at the end

After spraying, rinse the tote and the lines, collecting the rinse water as required. Store the tote empty, cap off, upside down on a rack if you can, so it dries.

Safety gear and records

Whoever fills, mixes or rinses a spray tote should wear the gloves, eye protection and clothing the product label requires. Keep the label, the safety data sheet and a rinse log in a folder in the truck. Mark the cage with the product name and the date of fill. If the truck is stopped, a clear label tells a responder what is aboard within seconds.