5. Basic maintenance
Keep the Elemental skid and cabinet exterior clean, dry, and leak-free so the machine stays safe and reliable between blends.
CAUTION — Never reverse the pump hoses
Each pump hose has a correct suction and discharge direction. Reversing or swapping hoses
can dose the wrong concentrate, contaminate tanks, damage pumps, or create hazardous
mixtures. If a hose is disconnected for service, refit it only to the same marked port —
match labels, colour codes, or as-built drawings. If unsure, stop and call a technician.
DANGER — Keep water off electricals
Never spray, hose, or splash water onto the control cabinet, HMI, gauges, switches,
cable glands, or open connectors. Moisture on live equipment can cause electric shock,
short circuits, or fire. Clean electrical surfaces with a dry or slightly damp cloth only
when power is OFF and the surface is cool — never with a wet mop or pressure washer.
Daily / before each operating shift
- Walk the skid — look under totes, along the manifold, and at pump hose fittings for wet spots, crystals, or drips.
- Confirm no plumbing leakages before power-on or before START: tighten or report any weeping joint; do not run with active leaks.
- Confirm pump hoses are seated on the correct ports (not reversed) and clamps are firm.
- Wipe fertilizer residue from tote lids, fill ports, and hardstand with absorbent — not a water hose to drain (see Chemical safety).
- Dust the cabinet exterior and HMI bezel with a soft dry cloth so vents (#9–12) stay clear.
- Confirm spill kit and eye-wash are accessible.
Weekly housekeeping
- Remove dust from cabinet top, beacon / lights cluster (#39), and around cable glands — dust buildup traps heat and moisture.
- Clear leaves, soil, and debris from around Output Tank A/B and concentrate totes.
- Check that ventilation louvres are not blocked.
- Inspect hose exterior for cracks, kinks, UV damage, or soft spots; report defects.
- Verify door locks (#22) close properly; do not leave the cabinet door ajar in dust or rain.
Cleaning rules
| Area | Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|---|
| HMI screen (#1) | Soft dry microfibre; power OFF preferred | Solvents, abrasive pads, spraying cleaner onto the glass |
| Cabinet door / gauges / switches | Dry cloth; light wipe if dry | Water spray, pressure wash, wet rags dripping into glands |
| Pump hoses & fittings | Wipe residue with SDS-approved method | Reversing hoses; forcing mismatched connectors |
| Hardstand / skid floor | Absorbent for spills; controlled clean-up | Hosing fertilizer into drains or soil |
| Inside cabinet | Qualified electrician only, lock-out / tag-out | Operator opening or cleaning inside |
Plumbing leak check (before power-on or before START)
- Power switch (#5) OFF for a close inspection if safe to do so.
- Visually inspect concentrate tote outlets, suction lines, pump hose connections (#13–20 / #23–30), manifold joints, and output tank fittings.
- Look for: wetness, white/brown crystal rings, pooling under joints, soft clamps.
- If any leak is found: do not start a blend. Contain per chemical procedures, isolate the line if trained to do so, and call maintenance.
- Only when the skid is dry and secure, continue with Getting started or press START on Home.
What operators must not do
- Never reverse, cross, or randomly swap pump hoses.
- Never use water on or into electrical equipment.
- Never open the live cabinet to “clean inside.”
- Never ignore a drip “until later” — fertilizers crystallise and worsen leaks.
- Never run the machine knowing a hose is loose or reversed.
Next
Power up safely in
Getting started.