Almost every farmer who applies anhydrous has been slowed by cold weather in late Fall or early Spring. Equaply® systems compensate for the reduction in tank pressure with our Hypro booster pump. But we find that there are limits to the amount of flow even with the pump. The pump does not suck anhydrous out of the tank. It accepts flow from the tank and increases its pressure.

While the pump can overcome restrictions downstream from the pump, it can't do anything about restrictions before the pump. For Equaply® systems to function correctly, we now specify a number of requirements for hose and fittings. Restrictions to flow are listed below, starting at the tank:

1. The dip tube provides the path for anhydrous to leave the tank by a top opening. It is about the only item that can't be economically updated. Fortunately, the dip tube is seldom a problem.
   
2. The shutoff valve at the top of the tank is attached to the feed hose. Most are 1" valves, left over from 1950's technology. These valves are one of the main causes of flow restriction. Your anhydrous supplier can replace this valve with a 1¼" valve, bringing the tank up to 1990's technology. Some older 1000 gallon tanks require increases to height of the valve cage. It is best to use newer tanks.
   
3. The Acme coupler part is attached to the shutoff valve and part is attached to the globe valve at the inlet of the feed hose. The 1¾" coupler is also1950's technology for 1" hoses. Previously, we recommended that these Acmes be switched to 2 ¼" Acmes; we now state that 2 ¼" Acmes are required for any high speed application. Fertilizer dealers who intend to stay in the business are learning that they have to make the change.
   
4. A globe valve is at the inlet of the feed hose. New high flow 1¼" globe valves which are far less restrictive. High flow globe valves are also a requirement, not a recommendation.
   
5. The feed hose, most feed hoses are 1¼" I.D., is a bare minimum. Don't even consider using 1" hoses from the tank, won't work. In a year,1½" nylon reinforced hose will be standard for high speed application systems.
   
6. The breakaway coupling is located where the feed hose attaches to the toolbar. New design 1¼" breakaways are far less restrictive. Here, also, high flow breakaways from Continental aNH3 or Squib-Taylor are an absolute requirement.
7. All piping between the breakaway and the pump- we make this as open as is practical and use minimum 1½" basket strainers. Hoses from the breakaways to the filter must be minimum 1¼".
8. At higher rates, you need to pull twin tanks with twin flow paths all the way to a tee at the basket filter.

Regarding tanks with 2" bottom outlets, they are perfect, all anhydrous tanks should be so equipped. But don't hold your breath.