Univoq / Iconiq drip stop issues?

[JCfarmer]

This was not top of today's "to do" list.

Bucket list?

 

[teslacoils]

Bucket list?

Kind of. I was rodding drains.

 

[DrWazzock]

I used univoq.
Over the course of a week on and off, washed through at the end of the day. 200l/ha.
I thought I'd got away with it as I had no drips, however on taking the chemsaver diaphragms out they're all disintegrating, either literally, or bubbling up in the process of, and all 48 rolled up on removal. That's never happened before. These were all changed this season so should have been good for this year at least.

Ordered replacements, they're made of viton, as are the Ramsay diaphragms (which I'm informed are also bubbling up), so perhaps these sprayers with mega issues are using more viton?

If corteva don't fix this, there won't be much of their product sold next year.

I'm keeping a record of the time spent fixing as well as the parts used.

What a cock up!

From my experience in process industry, viton was the bees knees. If it’s attacking viton there’s no hope IMO.
However, my old Hi Lo shows no sign of damage. I only used 15 litres though. And always washed out after each tank.

 

[Gong Farmer]

I think it smells similar to nail varnish remover!?

I'll take your word for it. Don't use the stuff myself.

 

[Secret Agronomist]

I think Bateman ones are Viton which might help. Not used Univoq this season but do get random drip issues, fine with chem but then when you swap to fert they start dripping.

 

[PSQ]

There is a case not far from here where the pump diaphragms have failed after using an Inatreq product, but on further examination traces of water have been found in the hydraulic oil. I'm guessing there is no physical way for spray solution to seep into the oil through the pump, so that leaves a hydraulic oil to water type cooler as a possible contamination route.

With many sprayers using hydrostatic drive, it might be prudent to check your oil before this potentially becomes something much, much bigger than a bill for a set of drip stop rubbers.

I'm not suggesting in any shape or form that any damage has been done by a Corteva product (and I'm sure their corporate lawyers are really nice people, lovely people) but it might be prudent to check hydraulic oil and oil cooler o-rings and seals.

 

[GlennW]

Did 170 ac on Thursday, and another 120 today, nothing to report

Spoke too soon. One week on, new diaphragms required

 

[teslacoils]

Any official comment?

 

[Badshot]

Spoke too soon. One week on, new diaphragms required

This is what's worrying me.

So far I've changed the chemsaver diaphragms, and rebuilt the Ramsay unit, all knackered.

I've a set of diaphragms here in case.
Ordered a set of o rings for the triplet nozzle holders.
Worried the pipes may start dissolving from the inside out.

 

[Bobthebuilder]

Done 40ha this evening changed 3 diaphragms all originals tho @4yr old so probably on their way out anyway, tank and lines flushed and drained when I stopped, all done @200L/ha so will see what happens when I start again tomorrow

 

[Bobthebuilder]

Any official comment?

Got this delivered with some more chemical that didn’t come on first load

 

[farenheit]

Really feels like that statement is doing everything possible to blame the sprayer operator. The label says you can spray from 100l so they can’t then say that to do it properly you need to use 200…

 

[teslacoils]

Everyone got their sprayers fixed before T3 then?

 

[Badshot]

So folks, who's registered with corteva about this damage for the repair bill?

I did.So far I've filled out an initial questionaire, then had a couple of calls from the corteva rep for more info. Now they've passed the buck to the supplier who's been asked to get the same info again.

The backup for a very expensive product is pee poor. Especially one which I had runners question me about after experiencing breathing difficulties passing a field I'd just treated 10 minutes before they passed by.

A very bad reaction to an issue by corteva IMO.

 

[Weare Cham]

So folks, who's registered with corteva about this damage for the repair bill?

I did.So far I've filled out an initial questionaire, then had a couple of calls from the corteva rep for more info. Now they've passed the buck to the supplier who's been asked to get the same info again.

The backup for a very expensive product is pee poor. Especially one which I had runners question me about after experiencing breathing difficulties passing a field I'd just treated 10 minutes before they passed by.

A very bad reaction to an issue by corteva IMO.

Of course they are having breathing difficulties.... they were running!!!!!

 

[Hammer]

Nearly 5 months on from using this stuff and every time I wash the sprayer out it still stinks of it!

 

[Badshot]

I've still got bits failing.

 

[ewald]

Nearly 5 months on from using this stuff and every time I wash the sprayer out it still stinks

Same here - solvent smell months later, and having used several other products in the interim.
I have also had to change several solenoid diaphragms recently - this may be just age, but don't normally change more than one every other year or so

 

[sahara]

Has anyone had any more contact from Corteva about this?

We registered that we had problems. leaking valves etc and having to do more washouts and no tank mixes to minimise any further problems, and then it all went quiet.

Got a missed call voicemail from someone at Corteva going to ring again tomorrow re our experiences, it will be interesting to hear what they have to say.

 

[Chae1]

Was speaking to someone about this yesterday.

They'd a 36m sprayer with pwm. The manufacturer doesn't supply individual seals. Each complete unit had to be replaced. Was over 20k to sort.

Corteva were offering credit on the chemicals supplied, not directly paying for damage done.