Great Plains YP4025F-1670 Operator Manual - Manual (Page 61)

Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc. Table of Contents Index Operating Instructions 57
2014-09-08 Table of Contents Index 401-571M
Fertilizer System Clean-Out
Equipment Damage Risk:
Do not leave fertilizer in the hopper for extended periods.
Fertilizer is generally corrosive, and will attack expose metal
surfaces.
1. When planting is completed, raise the planter, but
leave the fan running for 30 seconds to empty the
base of the meter, delivery hoses, and applicators.
2. Unless a tarp will be used to collect the remaining
fertilizer, move the planter to an area with a flat clear
surface. Comply with fertilizer supplier instructions
for suitable areas at which to cover fertilizer.
3. Install transport locks on the raised planter. Shut off
the tractor. Mount a collection tarp if only a small
amount of fertilizer remains.
Refer to Figure 60
4. Open the calibration door (rear door). If the air
system is empty, no material may fall.
5. Open the clean-out door (forward door). Expect
material to flow in significant volume until the hopper
is empty.
6. Turn the ground drive wheel several revolutions to
empty the meter flutes.
If a second person is available, open the hopper lid
and inspect the meter flutes while turning the wheel.
7. Recover the fertilizer.
8. With the clean-out and calibration doors open,
power-wash the fertilizer hopper from above. Rotate
the ground drive to expose all meter flutes to the
water. Wipe doors, seals and meter flanges.
9. Use a wire to tie the doors partly open during drying
and storage. This allows condensation to drain while
preventing pest entry. See page 47 for lid operations
prior to storage.
Problem Fertilizer Clean-Outs
For normal unloading of residual materials at completion
of planting, see “Long-Term Storage” on page 56.
If, however, parking and storage recommendations have
not been followed, it is possible to have hard-to-remove
material present.
If the material fails to pass through the fertilizer meter
clean-out door, take the following steps to remove it. Do
not consider entering the hopper until first completing
these tasks.
Open the clean-out door (page 57).
Remove the strainer (page 47) and evaluate the
problem.
For small amounts of residual materials, poking with a
long pole may suffice to push it through the clean-out.
If poking doesn’t produce satisfactory results, and you
intend to try wash-out, at least poke one hole down to the
meter clean-out, so that water can flow out.
For example:
• If the problem is a single moveable large object, such
as a dead animal, fishing out from above may be the
solution.
• If the problem is congealed materials, scoop out a
sample from above and see if the mass dissolves in
water. If so, and there is a small amount of the material
involved, rinsing, or rinsing and pumping the hopper
from above may be the solution.
If wash-out is contemplated, start by introducing a small
amount of water, and make sure that it appears at the
clean-out within 15 minutes. If not, you will just be adding
water to the problem. The hopper is not designed to hold
water at full capacity. Add no more water, remove meter
box instead, and clean out from below.
Figure 60
Meter Door Handles
31101
2
1
1
2
1
2