After agricultural drones complete fertilizer spreading operations, fertilizer particles and liquid residues will remain on the fuselage, chemical tank, pipelines, and spraying system. Failure to clean them promptly can not only cause component corrosion and blockages but also affect the accuracy of subsequent operations. This article systematically introduces the scientific cleaning methods for drones after fertilizer spreading from four aspects: cleaning principles, system-specific operations, tool selection, and maintenance cycles.

Core Principles Before Cleaning

Power Off to Prevent Short Circuits

Before cleaning, always remove the battery and turn off all power sources to avoid liquid seeping into the circuit board and causing short circuits. Special attention should be paid to the power distribution board area—even fully waterproof models (such as the P30) must have their power distribution board interfaces protected from moisture.

Zoned Cleaning to Avoid Cross-Contamination

Clean in the order of “fuselage main body → power system → electronic modules” to prevent fertilizer particles from entering the power compartment or electronic components from the fuselage surface. For example, the chemical tank must be thoroughly dried before reinstalling the battery to avoid residual moisture corroding the interfaces.

Storage in a Dry Environment

After cleaning, dry all components in a well-ventilated, dry area (temperature: 10-25℃, humidity: <60%), especially pipeline interfaces and bearings. For long-term storage, store the battery separately in an explosion-proof cabinet with a charge level of 40%-60%, and perform a charge-discharge cycle every 3 months to maintain battery activity.

System-Specific Cleaning Guidelines

1. Spraying System: Thorough Residue Replacement

• Chemical Tank Cleaning: Pour clean water into the tank, shake it repeatedly 2-3 times to dissolve residual fertilizer particles. Then flush the pipelines with soapy water until no foam is visible in the drained water. If powdered fertilizers were used, soak the tank in warm water mixed with laundry detergent for 2-24 hours.
• Nozzles and Filters: Remove the nozzles and filters, clean blockages in metal gaps with a soft-bristled brush, and soak them in clean water for 12 hours before drying. Replace or thoroughly clean nozzles if atomization performance deteriorates.
• Pipeline Flushing: Use the “empty-fill” function to cycle flush pipelines until clear water flows from the spray disc. Avoid idling plunger pump models (such as the T30) to prevent pump damage.

2. Power System: Moisture and Corrosion Prevention

• Motor and ESC Board: Wipe surface dust with a wrung-out damp cloth, avoiding liquid contact with interfaces. For dust in motor gaps, use a soft brush or compressed air to remove debris.
• Propellers: Wipe blades with a damp cloth after daily operations and check for cracks or deformation. Replace damaged propellers in pairs to ensure flight balance.
• Battery Maintenance: Clean the battery case with a dry cloth, keeping metal contacts away from moisture. For long-term storage, maintain a 40%-60% charge level and store in a cool, dry place.

3. Fuselage and Sensors: Gentle Wiping to Avoid Scratches

• Non-Electronic Parts: Wipe landing gear, arms, and other non-electronic areas with a wrung-out damp cloth. Use a small amount of neutral detergent for stubborn stains and wipe gently.
• Sensitive Electronic Components: Clean camera lenses, millimeter-wave radar, and obstacle avoidance sensors with a microfiber cloth or eyeglass cloth. For fertilizer residues on lenses, first blow off surface particles with compressed air, then wipe gently with alcohol pads.
• Fully Waterproof Models: Some models (such as the P30) support full-body waterproofing. After removing the battery, rinse directly with soapy water, but ensure all interfaces are completely dry before reassembly.

Tool and Cleaner Selection

1. General-Purpose Tools

• Soft-Bristled Brush: Cleans metal gaps in nozzles, filters, and other small parts without scratching surfaces.
• Microfiber Cloth: Wipes the fuselage and electronic components to prevent scratches on lenses or sensors.
• Compressed Air Can: Removes dust from sensitive areas like motors and power distribution boards without liquid contact.

2. Specialized Cleaners

• Soapy Water/Neutral Detergent: Suitable for regular fertilizer residues; decomposes weakly alkaline substances through neutralization.
• 0.5% Ferrous Sulfate Solution: Targets highly corrosive herbicides (e.g., 2,4-D butyl ester, MCPA) by chemically breaking down residues.
• Agricultural Drone-Specific Cleaning Agents: Contain surfactants and corrosion inhibitors; spray directly on oil stains to quickly remove dried residues without damaging the fuselage.

Maintenance Cycle Recommendations

• After Daily Operations: Perform basic cleaning of the fuselage, propellers, and spraying system, focusing on removing surface fertilizer particles.
• Weekly Deep Cleaning: Thoroughly flush the spraying system and check for loose connections in the power system and electronic components.
• Monthly Comprehensive Inspection: Replace worn parts (e.g., aging seals, filters) and apply lubricating grease to exposed bearings.
• Off-Season Maintenance: Clean hidden areas (e.g., power distribution boards, battery ports) monthly to remove oxides and prevent poor contact.

By scientifically selecting cleaners, using tools correctly, and conducting system-specific refined maintenance, the service life of agricultural drones can be significantly extended while reducing failure rates. Agricultural operators should regard cleaning as a crucial part of daily operations rather than an optional task, ensuring stable equipment performance in complex environments and reliable support for modern agriculture.