Smithco Sprayer can't make rate Cancel The title field is required!

1. Dalton Andrew

   
   6/26/2012 7:06 PM

   I have a Smithco SprayStar 3000, my guess it was made in 1998 to 2000. It has been pretty dependable until today. When I turn all 3 booms on it has trouble making rate and the console beeps at me. It has a Raven SCS 440 on it. All the calibrations values are correct, the lines are clean and the pump works just fine and was never run dry. I think it's an issue with the valves or wiring they are Tee Jet 344 A-B valves. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The worst part about it breaking down is it has 100 gallons of spray solution left in the tank.
   
   Andy

   
   
   
   
2. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   6/27/2012 4:06 AM

   In the past I have needed to remove and clean to flow meter. Also, are you getting up to agitation pressure? If not and being that old of a unit it could be in the pump, possibly the impeller. I'd have to look up those vales, but I use to take them apart and clean as well as the coating would start coming off the shaft. I switched them all over to stainless ball valves and never had a problem with the valves again.
   
   Also, give Emil Miller a call at Smithco, he is a guru with their equipment.
   
   Regards,

   
   
   
   
3. Dalton Andrew

   
   6/27/2012 6:06 PM

   Thanks for the response! I rebuilt the pump last season and have always been conscientious about not letting it run dry. In fact the agitation is very aggressive and when I spray at even higher volumes like 3 gallons per 1,000 I will have to almost close the return line to make rate. I'm currently spraying at 1.7 gallons per 1,000 and normally have no issues making rate even at 6 mph. I will take your advice and clean the flow meter tomorrow and see if that works. Thanks again,
   
   Andy

   
   
   
   
4. Dalton Andrew

   
   7/3/2012 6:07 PM

   OK, cleaned control valve and flow meter now I can make rate if I spray at 2 mph. Something is still not right, does anyone have anymore suggestions? Plan on calling Smithco tomorrow.
   
   Andy

   
   
   
   
5. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   7/3/2012 8:07 PM

   Is there a speed sensor still mounted on a rod at the rear wheel? Should be picking up speed off magnets mounted to wheel or hub. If so check that, years back the one I had would come out of adjustment or just about be falling off, we would get it re-set and it would start recording and all was fine. If that doesn't do it for you, Emil Miller at Smithco will certainly be able to figure it out. If you do talk to him, tell him Skip says hello.
   
   
   Regards,