Ask DS: Crop Duster Tank cleaning

[rboudet]

Got a question, I know there are many here in the Ag business. The Bank I work for has just taken back two crop duster planes that will be auctioned soon. Our issue is the tanks need to be cleaned soon to prevent corrosion. Does the rinse water need to be collected and disposed of as Haz waste?

Thanks
Bobby

[Deltaquack]

You ever drove by an airstrip while they're doing it? I don't suggest calling OSHA or the EPA is all i'm saying.

I'm amazed that two cropdusters couldn't make the payments with the state of farming the last two years.

[REBEL DUCK]

When and where is the auction or where to place bids I got some buddies that would jump on this.

[rboudet]

I believe they were collateral for a commercial loan of some sort.

I keep you informed when they go to auction

[Northbigmuddy]

You can get your hands on some tank cleaner from most ag suppliers. Cleaning ammonia works as well and is probably cheaper. Tank cleaner will have instructions, the ammonia is a gallon to hundred gallons water. Fill up the tank and let the solution get into all of the parts of the spray system. Let it sit for 24 hours then dump it out. Legally your supposed to collect the solution and dispose of it "properly". Properly depends on who is watching...

[rboudet]

Everything we do needs to be done "properly". We can't expose the bank to any liability.

[Huntington Point]

Your best bet would be to pay a Aerial Applicator in the area to do this for the bank. They could do it at there strip or the home strip they are located. They know what they're doing and how to do it. Your welcome.

[flyhi2]

What type planes are they?

[flyhi2]

Most have fiberglass hoppers and stainless hardware. What makes you think they are corroding?

[Wingman]

^

Take the skin off of the fuselage and wash out any fertilizer. Most everything else can just be washed with soap and a brush. Ammonia in the hopper will neutralize most chemicals. At least that's how we used to do it (like when switching from rice herbicides to cotton).

[tntmck]

Let me know about the auction