Why Sprayer Cleanout Is Critical Before Switching Crops

Welcome to Knox Ag’s Weekly Field Report: Flight Plan.

We caught some much-needed rain yesterday, and even though the ground’s still a little tacky, we’ll be back out planting and spraying before long. With that in mind, I wanted to talk about something I’ve had a few questions on this week: the importance of sprayer cleanout before switching between crops.

What We're Flying

Right now, we’re getting set to get back in the air and in the fields as soon as the weather clears. With planting and spraying moving fast, switching crops becomes common — and making sure your sprayer is clean between loads is more important than ever.

What We're Seeing in the Field

Skipping a proper sprayer cleanout can cause serious issues. Even a trace amount of the wrong herbicide can damage sensitive crops like soybeans. Every crop reacts differently to residual chemicals, and without a full cleanout, you risk yield loss, crop injury, and costly setbacks. It’s not a step worth rushing through.

What to Watch for with Sprayer Cleanout

When switching between crops, always triple rinse your sprayer and use a trusted tank cleaner like SSC-11 from Wilbur Ellis. We use SSC-11 at Knox Ag Aviation — two quarts per hundred gallons does the trick. Don’t forget to flush the booms, check the nozzles and screens, and look for any leaks. This small investment of time protects your crops and helps you catch maintenance issues early.

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Taking a few extra minutes for a full sprayer cleanout can save you a whole season’s worth of headaches. Protect your fields, your yields, and your bottom line. As always, if you have any questions, I’m just a phone call away.

📞 402-631-3080