Nurse tank safety – Great Plains NH3 Safety User Manual
Page 13
Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
Ammonia Nurse Tanks
9
2013-07-15
407-551M
Nurse Tank Safety
Many nurse tanks in use today were originally assembled
by cart integrators who are no longer in that business, or
assembled by an implement dealer, or by an end user.
Cart running gear often remains in service for decades,
with a periodic tank replacement, at which time it is
essentially a completely different nurse tank cart.
Hoses and various fittings are limited-life components
that are routinely replaced, and the replacements may
not precisely match the original parts.
In as few as four years, any original cart documentation
may no longer accurately describe the cart in its current
configuration.
If you do not have a current, up-to-date operator manual
for the nurse tank cart, study the “Ammonia Nurse
Tanks” section of this manual, starting on page 8.
Missing Information Hazard:
Many nurse tanks have no operator manual.
They may not have even a tank operator manual.
If there is a manual, the cart may have been modified, or the
tank replaced. Fittings are routinely replaced. Study how the
nurse tank works. The tank configuration, fitting, hoses,
indicators and controls may vary from the original
documentation (if any), and vary from the typical tank
described in the section “Ammonia Nurse Tanks” on page 8.
▲ Do not fill, accept or use a tank unless it conforms to
current regulatory and safety requirements, and passes a
careful inspection. Print pages 23 and 24 to use as
checklists. If the answer to any of the items is “no”, do not
use the tank.
▲ Pull-type two-axle tanks only
(no semi-mounted nurse tank carts).
▲ Maximum total capacity 3000 gallons.
▲ Never fill to more than 85% capacity.
▲ Never transport a nurse tank behind an implement on
public roads.
▲ Never park a tank on public roads or in populated areas.
▲ Transport slowly: 20 mph (32 kph) maximum
▲ Never leave a loaded NH
3
tank unattended.
Never leave a nurse tank unsecured.
▲ Know and follow the law applicable to anhydrous ammonia
tanks, transfer, transport and application. Some
jurisdictions require permits and specific documents and
equipment configuration for highway transport.
▲ Know how to perform a basic safety inspection of a nurse
tank (page 23). Do not fill or accept or fill a tank that fails
inspection.
Example:
Peeling and
Missing
Safety and
Informational
Decals
Example:
Illegible
or Missing
Name
Plate
Example:
Failing or
Outdated
Hose