3. Inspect the ammonia hoses for any nicks, cuts, soft spots, and connector slippage.
4. Follow the “replace by” date indicated by the hose manufacturer and remember that ammonia hoses cannot be repaired.
5. Ensure that each nurse deposit has 5 liters of clean fresh water. Additionally, put a gallon container of water in your truck and tractor.
6. Slow down! Drive no more than 25 mph when towing ammonia tanks.
7. Avoid congested or high traffic areas when towing nurse tankers to and from the application area.
8. ALWAYS close ALL nurse tank valves and disconnect transfer hoses before pulling onto a public road. This is required by law. You should never have a “busy” system when sharing the road.
9. Nurse tanks should not be operated in low light conditions or before or after sunset UNLESS you have an amber rotating light flashing over the tank(s). Today’s motorists are not as familiar or patient with farm equipment, even in rural areas, so it is always best if slow-moving vehicles are kept off the roads during non-day hours.
10. Never forget the safety chains, even in the field of application. Nurse tank trailers are put to the test during the ammonia season, being asked to serve as highway vehicles and then towed in harsh field conditions. Safety chains can save you from disaster if the fastener fails! Connect them every time.
11. Do your disconnected devices work in the app? This is another security mechanism designed to prevent leaks, but they must be installed and maintained correctly to work. Proper installation and preventive maintenance are essential!
12. Never hesitate to make the call if you have an ammonia release. In Illinois, a reportable quantity (RQ) for anhydrous ammonia is 100 pounds (18 gallons) or more. If you are not sure if you have met the RQ threshold, make the call again. Tell the emergency operator exactly what happened so that law enforcement and fire departments can show up prepared to deal with the ammonia. Anyone in possession of the ammonia tank at the time of release should make this call immediately.
For information on how to file a release report in Illinois, go to: https://ifca.com/…
For the DTN article on the dangers of applying nitrogen too early this fall, go to:
https://www.dtnpf.com/…
For another article from DTN on anhydrous ammonia safety, go to: https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Purdue has an excellent manual detailing how to work with anhydrous. Find it here: https://ppp.purdue.edu/…
For a checklist of security considerations from Iowa State University, go to: https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/…
For more information on Illinois Certified Grower Training, go to:
https://www2.illinois.gov/…
Pamela Smith can be reached at [email protected]
Follow her on Twitter @PamSmithDTN
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