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AX-1 winter storage and spring restart

Protect the robot over winter and get it ready for the new season

Winter storage

To enable a smooth return from hibernation, follow these procedures before storing the AX-1 over winter or any prolonged period.

Storage conditions

  • The storage area should have low relative humidity and ideally be dust-free.
  • Ideally, store the AX-1 indoors at room temperature.
  • Make sure rodents are kept away from the machine.
  • Store the generator according to Honda's recommendations (see the generator handbook, Chapter 9).

Preparing the battery for storage

The battery needs to have a high enough voltage at the start of the storage period, it is often necessary to charge it before storing. During prolonged storage, check the voltage regularly and recharge as needed. The battery is ready for storage when the voltage reaches 52 V. Check this in the Kilter Remote app while the AX-1 is on and not connected to charging power.
In the app, navigate to Control panel → Diagnostic to check the battery voltage. If the voltage is lower than 52 V, charge the battery.

Batteries preparation diagram

Preparing the liquid system for winter storage

To avoid damage from expanding ice, antifreeze must be added to and distributed throughout the liquid system. Use a propylene glycol-based antifreeze suitable for agricultural equipment. Do not mix different types of antifreeze.

  • Step 1: Empty water from the system

Before adding antifreeze, the liquid system (including all tanks and hoses) must be emptied of water. The system does not need to be completely dry, but the remaining water must not dilute the antifreeze enough to compromise its freezing point.

Empty the herbicide tank:

  1. Set the valves to the "Empty system" position and open the Kilter Remote app.Valve position empty system 
  2. In the control panel, turn on the pump.
  3. Let the pump run until the herbicide tank is empty and water is no longer running from the tap.
  4. Stop the pump.
  5. Open Valve 7 to empty any remains from the hoses.

Empty the rinse tank:

  1. With the valves still in the "Empty system" configuration, set Valve 1 to the upright position to collect water from the rinse tank.
  2. In Kilter Remote, open the control panel and turn on the pump.
  3. Let the pump run until water stops running from the tap point next to Valve 6.
     

Empty the clean water tank:

  1. Open the tap and let all water empty from the tank, hose, and tap.

Important: Make sure antifreeze is properly rinsed out of the clean water tank before the next use. This tank is reserved for cleaning hands, face, or eyes if accidental contact with herbicide occurs, so any antifreeze residue could be harmful.

  • Step 2: Fill antifreeze

Dilute the antifreeze with water according to the instructions on the container. Assume that approximately 0.5 L of water remains in the system after emptying. A typical mix is 50% water and 50% antifreeze.

  • Fill at least 4 litres of diluted antifreeze in the herbicide tank.
  • Fill at least 3 litres of diluted antifreeze in the rinse tank.
  • Fill at least 1 litre of diluted antifreeze in the clean water tank.

  • Step 3: Distribute antifreeze through the system

The antifreeze must be properly distributed through the liquid system to protect against frost damage.

 Valve position nomal operation 

  1. Set the valves to "Normal operation" and turn on the pump.
  2. If installed, open the white valve on the spray boom for 10 seconds, then close it.
  3. In Kilter Remote, open the control panel and start the "Clean Nozzles" procedure to rinse the nozzles with antifreeze.
  4. Open Valves 2 and 3, and close Valve 4.
  5. Open Valve 6 for a few seconds, then close it.
  6. Open Valve 7 for a few seconds, then close it.
  7. Open Valve 1 to pump antifreeze from the rinse tank.
  8. Close Valve 1 once the antifreeze has entered.
  9. Open the clean water tap briefly to allow antifreeze to enter the tap.

The antifreeze is now distributed throughout the liquid system.

Spring restart

Before the AX-1 is put back into operation in spring, the antifreeze must be removed from the system and replaced with clean water.

  1. Repeat the procedures for emptying the herbicide tank and emptying the rinse tank to remove as much antifreeze as possible.
  2. Refill the rinse tank with clean water.
  3. Empty the rinse tank again to flush out remaining antifreeze.
  4. Refill both the rinse tank and the herbicide tank with clean water.
  5. Run the standard cleaning procedure by following the guide in the Cleanup menu in Kilter Remote.
  6. Empty the clean water tank of antifreeze by opening the manual valve.
  7. Rinse the clean water tank thoroughly with clean water, then refill it with clean water.

Important: Make sure the clean water tank is completely free of antifreeze before use, since this tank is used for personal safety (rinsing skin or eyes after accidental contact with herbicide).

Your AX-1 is now ready for the new season. Before your first operation, check that all filters are clean, see AX-1 maintenance. For a normal spraying day, see Daily use of AX-1.