Great Plains NH3 Safety - Manual (Page 31)

Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc. Table of Contents Index Anhydrous Application 27
2013-07-15 Table of Contents Index 407-551M
Dry Run
Before activating the NH
3
delivery, cautious practice is to
make one dry run pass, including a turn in each
direction. This assures that tine or knife depth is set
correctly, hydraulics are working correctly, the nurse tank
cart is tracking without issue, proper slack exists for all
hoses and harnesses, and the meter console is reporting
correct field speed.
Row Implement Adjustments
Make all applicator adjustments before charging the
metering system with anhydrous ammonia:
• application depth
• coulter depth
• sealer adjustments
Sealer Adjustment
Ammonia Exposure Hazard:
Fine tune adjustments with dry runs prior to initial
application. Making adjustments after beginning application,
even with tines or knives left in the ground, could cause your
exposure to exceed PEL, leading to health problems or injury.
If you need to make adjustments after application begins,
discharge the system, and then lower the tines or knives
into the ground. Minimize your vapor exposure.
Start of Pass Planning
Ideally, you want NH
3
to begin flowing out of the tines or
knives right at the start of a pass, with the tines or knives
already in the ground. This minimizes atmospheric
releases.
Depending on wind direction, tractor capability, available
headlands, and field conditions, there are several ways
to start each pass.
A. Capable Tractor:
Lower implement into ground at start of pass. Pull
forward to set them to operating depth. Start meter
flow. Do not start moving until flow divider pressure
gauge nears typical operating value.
B. Headlands Available, Any Tractor:
Lower implement to ground some distance ahead of
the application area. Move forward slowly. As tines or
knives enter ground, start meter flow.
C. No Headlands, Marginal Tractor:
Lower implement to ground at start of pass. Start
forward movement, then meter flow. Move slowly
until console rate display nears target rate.
Figure 25
Adjustments
23200,
31593/7
31723
Note: The procedures at left are not operating
instructions or checklists. They are outlines for
planning pass starts. See the step details in the
applicator Operator manual.
Anhydrous Ammonia Exposure Hazard:
When raising in field, be facing into the wind or be turning up-
wind. Even if NH
3
flow was stopped some distance before the
lift point, the tines or knives will still be emitting NH
3
vapor
when out of the ground.