Apache Maintenance: Daily Checklist

Proper maintenance on your Apache is essential to its longevity and overall performance. Routine maintenance will cut down on downtime in the field and costly repairs. Some maintenance checks only need performed once a year or once a month, while others need to performed every week or daily before and after every use. Let’s review the daily maintenance checklist on the Apache 20 series.

Oil and Fluid Levels

Before taking your Apache sprayer out in the field, it is imperative to check oil and fluid levels. Starting off, check your engine oil, and always use a 15w40 when adding more. Beyond this, check the engine coolant level, transmission oil level and the hydraulic fluid levels. A sensor is located in the top of the radiator that will alert the operator when the coolant is low. To check hydraulic fluid levels, look at the indicator gauge on the right hand side of the hydraulic tank. The level should be between half and three-quarters full when the machine is shut off. Top off any fluids that are low before using the sprayer. 

After completing fluid checks, inspect the A/C belt and the serpentine belt tension to ensure nothing has loosened or is out of place. While inspecting the belt tension, also look for cracks in the grooves of the belt. Cracks are a sign of wear on the belt and potentially the belt could break if not replaced when cracks are visible.

Engine Air Intake System

A daily maintenance check would not be complete without inspecting the engine air intake system. This involves not only the air filter housing, but also inspecting the connections from the air filter box to the air intake for holes and leaks. Also, make sure the charge air tube clamps are tight and that the boots are in good shape. Regular checks will let you know when it is time to replace parts before they break. 

Booms

Serving as one of the most important features on the sprayer, the boom needs regular maintenance as well. Grease the boom daily before using your Apache by greasing the rack lift parallel bars, boom fold pivots, sway pivots and cylinder flag pins after every eight hours of run time.

Tire Pressure

Don’t forget to check the tire pressure and add air if needed. Depending on the model of tires your pressure will vary. We recommend 35 PSI on the front tires and 49 PSI on the rear tires for standard tires. The narrow tires should be set at 41 PSI on the front tires and 78 PSI on the rear tires. Tire pressure is important because it can affect the size of the footprint your sprayer leaves in the field which contributes to the amount of compaction. 

Once your tires are set, ensure that all of your lighting and flashers work properly and that your Slow Moving Vehicle sign is set. It is important to maintain visibility on the road.

Calibration Check

Finally, before using your Apache, review the field computer calibrations and check each boom calibration, valve calibration, meter calibration and speed calibration.

After using your Apache, it is important to rinse out the wet system to prevent chemicals mixing with the next application. Here is a video guide on flushing your Apache’s wet system.

In addition to flushing the wet system, clean the boom strainers and main product strainer to ensure chemicals are not left lingering. Finish your daily checklist by walking around the machine to inspect for product leaks or hydraulic leaks.

Routine maintenance on your Apache will keep you in the fields instead of spending valuable time fixing costly repairs.

This checklist is designed for the 20 series Apache, and older models may need additional maintenance. For more information, check out an Apache sprayer clinic.

Application Trend Update: Application types, droplet size and nozzles

Technology continually changes the way chemicals are applied to crops. Decreasing spray drift and increasing application effectiveness are two important goals when making spray application decisions. The type of application and the chemical being used will determine which type of nozzle to use and which droplet size will be needed.

According to Tom Reed, regional manager from TeeJet, the trend in spraying is moving towards using larger droplets to decrease the amount of drift. In reality, it is much easier to control droplets in the medium to extremely coarse ranges.

Soil Incorporated Applications

Looking at soil-incorporated applications, larger droplets are more desirable. In this type of application, larger droplets are used since they will reduce drift potential. Beyond this, coverage is less of a concern because soil moisture or tillage will distribute the output. Since the full cone nozzle generally produces larger droplets, it is a good nozzle tip to use for soil-incorporated applications.

Pre-Emergence Applications

Much like soil-incorporated applications, larger droplets will provide sufficient coverage with pre-emergence applications. Flood nozzles create large droplets and work well for pre-emergence applications.

Post-Emergence Contact Applications

Moving along, post-emergence contact applications require complete coverage of the plants to ensure application effectiveness. In this application type, the chemical is only active at the site of contact. The twin orifice nozzle tip is often associated with this application because the two directions of the output combined with the smaller droplets improves coverage and penetration of the canopy. The hollow cone nozzle is also equipped to handle post-emergence contact applications. It is designed to produce smaller droplets ensuring better coverage.

Post-Emergence Systemic Applications

On the other hand, in post-emergence systemic applications complete coverage is not essential for application effectiveness since the chemical will translocate throughout the plant. In this instance, it is not necessary to use smaller droplets. In many systemic applications, due to the chemicals used, drift can cause a great deal of damage, so air induction nozzle tips or extended range flat-fans are recommended due to their larger droplet outputs. 

After sorting through the types of applications and determining the type to be used, it is also essential to factor in the spraying process that will be used. Broadcast spraying varies a great deal from banded or direct spraying and requires different types of nozzles.

Band Spraying

In band spraying, only a certain portion of the land will receive the chemical application leaving untouched areas. This type of application requires the spray nozzles to produce a uniform amount of spray over the entire sprayed area, or band. In this case, even-flow fans are more desirable for their ability to produce the uniform spray pattern. Hollow cones and twin even-flat fans are also appropriate choices for band or direct spraying applications depending on the type of application that will be applied. The nozzle tips do not require overlap to produce a uniform spray output making them useful for applying pesticides to specific areas.

Because of the different spray patterns produced by even flat-fans, it is essential not to confuse the even flat-fan tips with other flat-fan nozzles which are primarily used for broadcast applications.

Broadcast Spraying

To achieve uniform distribution in broadcast applications, overlap the outer edges of individual spray patterns. The recommended amount of overlap will depend on the nozzle tip design. For many broadcast applications, using a full cone nozzle or a flood nozzle will produce the desired results. Additionally, consider the special feature nozzle tips such as the extended range or the drift reducing nozzles for their ability to produce complete coverage during broadcast spraying.

It is important to evaluate the application goals and make changes accordingly. Customizing your application with the best nozzle to use and the recommended droplet size will cut down on spray drift and increase your application efficiency. 

Apache takes home No-Till honor for third time

Equipment Technologies has taken home the “Spraying Equipment Product of the Year” at the 21^st Annual National No-Tillage Conference. The Apache received its national recognition for the 20 Series sprayers in Indianapolis, Ind. on January 11, 2013. 

Pictured (Left to Right): Jeff Goodman, Chad Ringer, Adam Kivett, Matt Hays

Spraying equipment was one of 13 product categories recognized at the awards luncheon. The Product of the Year awards are chosen by popular vote among No-Till Farmer readers. Equipment Technologies was recognized in front of the 1150-plus attendees at the No-Till Conference. Additionally, the Apache was recognized in the No-Till Farmer Winter 2013 issue of No-Till Farmer’s Conservation Tillage Guide.

“This is such an accomplishment for these companies to be honored by our readers as No-Till Products of the Year. It says something when no-tillers recognize a product but it says a great deal when products are honored in consecutive years. Equipment Technologies should feel proud to receive such national recognition three years in a row,” says Darrell Bruggink, executive editor and publisher of No-Till Farmer.

In 2010 and 2011, the Apache was recognized as the Application Equipment Product of the Year winner based on the 20 Series Apache sprayers in 2011 and the AS715 model in 2010.

According to CEO of Equipment Technologies, Matt Hays, “Sprayers are a critical part of any no-tillers’ operation. To have the readers of No-Till Farmer validate for a third year in a row the Apache self-propelled sprayer as Application Equipment Product of the Year is a tremendous honor. This award comes from the diligent efforts of our employees and dealers, as well as listening to our customers to ensure we produce the very best application product possible.”

During the summer of 2012, product nominations for each category were sent out to No-Till Farmer readers and agriculture companies, and the voting for category winners started in September and ended on November 9, 2012.

2013 represents the eighth year for the annual No-Till Product of the Year awards program offered at the National No-Tillage Conference. 

High oil prices fuel no-till trend

It's not by happenstance that the spike in fuel costs has coincided with the increasing trend of no-till farming methods across the country.

For the past five years, Justin Noggler, an Apache owner from Texas, has practiced no-till farming methods on the 11,000 acres he farms. During this time he has noticed major differences in his operation.

"We save several thousand gallons a year on fuel," Noggler said. "We also need fewer guys in the field had have noticed better crops."

Since oil prices continue to increase, farmers opt to adapt new methods to cut down on fuel costs, and many look to no-till as a viable option. No-till farming significantly cuts down on the number of trips a grower makes through the fields. More specifically, the United Soybean Board estimates in a soy checkoff-funded report, U.S. Soybean Production: A Comparison of Sustainable Production Systems for Conventional, Biotech, and Organic Soybeans, that farmers make an average of 1.8 fewer trips across the field when using no-till methods. Ultimately, a decrease in the number of trips across the field relates to a decrease in fuel usage. 

Another added benefit of decreasing fuel usage is a reduction in CO₂ emissions. In the United Soybean Board report, it was also approximated that the decrease in CO₂ emissions brought about by no-till farming in 2008 is equivalent to removing 125,750 cars each year. 

According to a Wall Street Journal article Plowing Through the Confusing Data on No-Till Farming, no-till farming was first introduced in the 1960s but did not become popular until the 1980s when fuel prices spiked.  

The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that soybeans, corn and other crops have increased the usage of no-till acreage by about 1.5 percent each year since 2000. Additionally, USDA statistics also reported in 2009 that almost half of all soybean acres were planted using no-till methods, and 35.5 percent of all of the country's cropland was farmed in no-till operations.  

When comparing costs associated with no-till farming versus conventional tilling, the three biggest factors are labor, fuel and herbicide. Generally, higher labor and fuel costs are associated with conventional tilling, and herbicide costs are higher with no-till methods. 

Beyond this, no-till farming is noted for protecting land against erosion, reducing nutrient depletion and decreasing runoff. According to the United Soybean Board report, conservation tillage is used on over 65 percent of U.S. soybean acres and results in the following achievements:
                -A 93 percent decrease in soil erosion
                -A 31 percent decrease in wind erosion
                -A 70 percent decrease in pesticide run-off
                -An 80 percent reduction in phosphorus contamination of surface waters
                -An annual soil moisture evaporation loss of reduction of 5.9 inches
                -Greater than 50 percent reductions in fuel use 

The rise in fuel prices combined with the increased environmental benefits make it easy to understand why no-till farming is a growing trend.

 

 

Drought humbles the Mighty Mississippi

The 2012 drought has already wreaked havoc on the agriculture industry and shows no signs of stopping. Now, the industry prepares for another drought-inflicted blow.

Due to the decrease in rainfall over the past year, the Mississippi River is on the verge of shutting down for nearly 200 miles spanning from Cairo, Ill. to St. Louis, Mo.

Currently, the Mississippi River is holding at 13 feet deep and near record level lows, but if the water level drops below nine feet deep, it will be forced to close to barge traffic. Shallow waterways prevent barges from moving up and down the river. Andrew Walmsley, American Farm Bureau transportation specialist, estimates on Newsline that at the current rate, the river will shut down in the middle of December. The National Weather Service, on the other hand, predicts the water levels won’t possibly drop below nine feet until January; either way, a halt in barge traffic in December and January could affect the movement of approximately $7 billion in cargo.

Source: http://stltoday.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=42849928&event=1503554&CategoryID=38578

The United States Department of Agriculture estimates the potential economic damage from a shutdown of the Mississippi River could range from $60 billion to $100 billion, meaning the damage could be more costly to the economy than that of Hurricane Sandy. Additionally, this would affect more than 20,000 U.S. jobs across industries including agriculture, transportation and manufacturing just to name a few.

The Mississippi River is essential to the agriculture industry for transportation of grain and fertilizer. The American Farm Bureau projects approximately 300 million bushels of grain and oilseeds would be delayed with the shutdown.

"It would be difficult to transport grain to ports for shipment overseas, get road salt upriver and deliver fertilizer to the Midwest for spring planting. Putting fertilizer on trucks or trains instead of cheaper barges would increase farmers' prices," said Rod Weinzierl, the Executive Director of Illinois Corn Growers Association, in a USA Today article.

Kathy Mathers, a spokeswoman for the Fertilizer Institute, shared in a New York Times article that about half of fertilizer sent to the Midwest for the spring travels up the Mississippi River. Other transportation options such as trucking and rail cars don’t have enough means to ship the large quantities that will be needed.

Last chance to take advantage of Section 179

Tax incentives that allow for generous savings on the purchase of new and used equipment will end January 1, 2013. 

Capitol Hill
Source: http://www.geoglance.com/photos/DC/1/capitol-hill

As the year comes to an end, so does the ability to take advantage of the increased tax credit offered by Section 179. The stimulus acts have greatly expanded the limits of the Section 179 deduction and have also added a one-time “Bonus Depreciation” on equipment that exceeds the deduction limit.

According to Section179.org, this deduction was intended to boost spending among small and medium sized businesses; it allows a company to deduct a significant portion of the purchase price of equipment bought in 2012 as opposed to just normal depreciation over several years. In addition to the tax credit, new equipment purchases also qualify for a bonus depreciation.

Once January 1 rolls around, the deduction amount is drastically decreased from $139,000 to $25,000 for 2013. Additionally, 2012 is the last year to take advantage of the bonus depreciation making the end of 2012 the perfect time to buy equipment.

Breakdown of purchasing an Apache in 2012 versus 2013. 

In accordance with Section179.org, a few rules go along with the Section 179 deduction and bonus depreciation. To utilize the $139,000 tax deduction, the company must purchase, finance or lease less than $560,000 in new and used equipment during the 2012 tax year. If the company purchases more than $560,000 in equipment, the deduction is decreased dollar for dollar for any amount over $560,000.

Beyond this, companies that purchase new equipment qualify for the added bonus depreciation which allows an additional 50 percent depreciation deduction on new equipment.

To calculate the total deduction, the Section 179 deduction is taken before the bonus depreciation. Amounts not deducted by Section 179 or the bonus depreciation can be depreciated using normal depreciation.
The exception to this rule applies to businesses without a taxable profit for 2012. In this case, Section 179 does not apply, and the business is allowed to carry the loss forward while still deducting some of the cost of new equipment. The rules that apply to the Section 179 deduction can be found at Section179.org.

This is the time to jump on the Apache Early Buy Incentive Program and save on a 2013 Apache.

Get out your woolly socks and sweaters; it's going to be a cold one

A time honored tradition for many, predicting the coming winter’s forecast using woolly worms or persimmon seeds has been around for years.

The woolly worm is thought to predict the harshness of the coming winter based on the thickness of the insect’s middle band. Black bands on both ends of the woolly worm are connected by a reddish-brown middle band.

According to tradition, if the reddish-brown band is narrow, it means a harsh winter is coming. On the other hand, if a thick middle band is present, a mild winter is in store.

  

Mild Winter Prediction
Source: http://www.woollyworm.com/about-woolly-worms

Harsh Winter Prediction
Source: http://blog.beechmountainbliss.com/2010/10/wooly-worm-weekend.html

Upon closer examination of the woolly worm, it is noted that woolly worms have 13 segments which coincides with winter lasting roughly 13 weeks long. Each black band is thought to represent a week of bad winter weather.

Woolly worms are known scientifically as Pyrrhactia Isabella, and they are the larval form of the Isabella tiger moth. They have many other nicknames such as woolly bears, black-ended bears and banded woolly bears.

While there is no scientific evidence to prove that woolly worms can predict the winter forecast, it is still a fun, timeless tradition for many.

Persimmon seeds are also a well-known way to predict the oncoming winter weather. To predict this winter’s weather using persimmon seeds find persimmons grown in your area. Using locally grown persimmons are supposed to be more accurate for predicting that area’s winter.

The persimmon seeds will take on one of three familiar shapes: a fork, a knife or a spoon. A fork-shaped seed predicts a mild winter, while a knife forecasts a cold, icy winter. The spoon-shaped seed foretells an extremely snowy winter.

Source: http://www.hoosierweather.com/weather_lore.php

Kevin Covey, the Director of Service and Parts at Equipment Technologies, predicted this year’s winter based on 9 persimmon seeds he gathered from his own persimmon tree.

“Each persimmon normally has two or three seeds,” Covey said. “We found eight spoons and one knife.”

Here at Equipment Technologies, we are predicting a snowy winter based on persimmon seeds, and our woolly worms are forecasting a harsh winter.

Depending on the area you live in, there may be other traditions of predicting the winter weather.

Other ways to predict the coming winter include the Farmer’s Almanac and the National Weather Service. The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting colder than usual temperatures and more snow east of the Rockies and warmer, milder weather west of the Rockies.

On the other hand, the National Weather Service is predicting a generally milder winter based on El Nino and La Nina.