Engineering Update Winter 2007 BSE Named a University Exemplary Department! Engineering Update Biological Systems Engineering In this issue… December 2007 To: Extension Unit Directors, Extension District Directors, Meeting Announcement…………2 Extension Program Directors, and ANR Agents Restoring Streams…………………3 Winter Driving…………………………3 Dear Co-Workers: Engineering Update is a joint effort of Biologi- Equipment Winterizing …………4 cal Systems Engineering and other interested agents. Subject mat- Jump Dead Battery ………………5 ter areas include timely information on water quality, natural re- Biomass Appeal ………………………6 source management, TMDL, air emissions, animal waste manage- Greenhouse Checks…………………7 ment, machinery management, precision farming, application tech- ASR Sprayer Setup ………………8 nology, farm safety, energy, engineering education, and technology. Droplet Chart …………………………9 Please use this information in your on-going Extension programs and Senior Design Projects ………10 circulate to all Extension staff. Engineering Update is electroni- Compaction………………………………10 cally accessible via the VCE Intranet World Wide Web site Peanuts …………………………………10 (at http://www.ext.vt.edu/vce/anr/bse/index.html). Aeration of Storage……………11 Hydraulic Systems ………12-13 Accountability ………………………13 Youth Labor Law …………………14 Workplace Bullies…………………14 Newsletter Tips ……………15-16 Procrastination………………………17 Ergonomic Guidelines……………18 Visit BSE Specialists in Seitz Hall Beyond Wetlands: Engineering the Landscape 8th Annual American Ecological Engineering Society Meeting 2nd Annual Virginia Stream Alliance Workshop June 11-14, 2008 (Workshops on June 9-10) Virginia Tech Campus, Blacksburg, VA The American Ecological Engineering Society (AEES) works to promote the protection and devel- opment of sustainable ecosystems that inte- grate human society with the natural environment for the benefit of both. You are invited to participate of ecological services in urban mental interest groups, and in the Eighth Annual American systems), Ecological Remedia- students. Ecological Society Meeting at tion/Treatment Systems Virginia Tech on June 11- (phytoremediation, wetland More information about the 14,2008, by submitting an ab- design) and Teaching and Pro- meeting and the Second An- stract for an oral or poster fessional Development. nual Virginia Stream Alliance presentation. Abstracts are Workshop on June 9-10 will due December 15 via our web- The meeting includes a combi- soon be available at http:// based abstract submittal sys- nation of workshops (June 9- www.cpe.vt.edu/aees/. tem at: http:/ 10), plenary sessions, concur- www2.opd.outreach.vt.edu:8080/ rent sessions, and breakout For further information about abstracts/VT/AEES2008. sessions over a six-day period. abstracts, the conference, or opportunities for sponsorship, Paper topics related to the Conference participants will please contact: conference theme may in- include: environmental and clude: Landscape Design ecological scientists and engi- Dr. Cully Hession (regional planning, watershed neers; landscape architects; Biological Systems Engineering management, Stream Restora- policy makers and planners; Virginia Tech, 304 Seitz Hall tion/Design (floodplain and federal, tribal, state, and local Blacksburg, VA 24061 channel), Urban System De- government agency personnel; phone: (540) 231-9480 sign (low impact development and private interests, environ- e-mail: [email protected] technologies, green infra- mental consultants, environ- structure design, restoration 2 Restoring Streams learns about the Stroubles Duck Pond. The restoration effort is Creek restoration project part of a watershed management from Virginia Tech BSE pro- plan developed by local citizens, Vir- fessors Tess Wynn and Cully ginia Tech, and the Town of Blacks- Hession. burg, to reduce sediment pollution and improve aquatic habitat within The Virginia Department of Stroubles Creek. Conservation and Recreation awarded a grant to the faculty Improved land-use management team, which also includes Gene within the New River Watershed is Restoring streams (VT Front Page): Yagow of BSE, to restore 1.8 miles crucial for the protection and pres- Virginia Secretary of Natural Re- of Stroubles Creek, a New River ervation of this important natural sources Preston Bryant (right) tributary, downsteam of the VT resource. Safety Tips, Kits Prepare Drivers for Winter Safety needs to be a electrical accesso- driver’s main priority ries if possible. Use when traveling this parking lights in- winter. stead of headlights to warn approaching Pay attention to drivers. weather forecasts • If more than one before leaving home person is stranded and if dangerous weather is ing downward or has snow in the vehicle, only one imminent, consider delaying or and ice around the exhaust should sleep at a time. canceling travel plans. Travel- outlet. Use extreme caution • Don’t forget to pack a sur- ers should share their plans if the vehicle rests under an vival kit before traveling with family members or overpass or in a low area. with blankets and thermal friends who can notify au- • Bundle up and stay with the protection for head, hand thorities if they don’t arrive vehicle. Blowing snow can be and feet. Include enough on time. Also, let contacts disorienting and cold tem- high energy, non-perishable know if plans change. peratures, through hypo- food, such as candy bars, for thermia, can sap a person’s each passenger. Even prepared drivers can strength. • Keep water inside the car to have mishaps. Travelers that • Use the vehicle engine and prevent it from freezing and do become stranded should heater sparingly to conserve a flashlight with extra bat- follow these safety tips: fuel. Run the engine often teries. Cell phones are help- enough so it starts easily to ful, but should not substitute • Don’t run the engine or use prevent running down the for survival kits. the heater if the vehicle is battery. (adapted by Bobby Grisso) resting at a steep angle, fac- • Avoid using the vehicle’s 3 Clean, winterize farm equipment to extend its life It appears most of us finally have freeze, like engine oil, has a lifespan. tor's manual for instructions on re- the crops out of the field for an- Merely adding more coolant may not ducing pressure on baler belts or other season. It has been a difficult be enough to fully protect your in- other components. Compressed air is thing to harvest alfalfa, corn, pea- vestment. a great way to clean hard to reach nuts, cotton, and soybeans while places and may be a better choice dodging storms in recent weeks. Inflate tires to recommended pres- than water. When water is needed to Though we have lost some feed qual- sure to reduce sidewall damage. Be- clean surfaces, use only moderate ity to storms this season, we must fore storing tillage implements re- pressure and mild soap. gratefully admit that the harvest move soil and apply appropriate rust has been bounteous. Most hay barns preventive material, then store with Cleaning farm equipment with a are full of forage and the corn silage soil engaging components raised or power washer is great for removing bunkers are stacked higher than on blocks to prevent rust. Hydraulic dust and soil. Be careful, however, typical. cylinders should not be stored fully and avoid direct contact with seals extended. If temperatures increase, when using high-pressure washers. Though most of us are ready to park hydraulic oil will be confined and Use compressed air after washing to our farm equipment for a few high pressure may cause damage to help dry surfaces, and operate ma- months, we must remember that the hydraulic system. chinery for 10 to 20 minutes to help spring will be here quickly and the shed excess water from hard to equipment must be ready to go. The All planters, drills, air seeders and reach places. Repaint worn surfaces care we provide our machinery, such combines need to be cleaned out. Be with spray paint to protect from as proper cleaning, maintenance and sure all grain and plant material left corrosion. storage not only increases equipment in the grain tank and augers is re- reliability and performance, it can moved. This will reduce rusting and Proper battery storage can protect also improve resale value. Farmers make it less attractive to mice and batteries from deterioration. Even a who properly winterize farm equip- other pests. It is sometimes possible small current drain can eventually ment now will be rewarded with a to remove more than a bushel of discharge batteries and cause them reduction in start-up time next grain even after a combine seems to to freeze in cold weather. Consider spring. be clean. Trapped grain attracts ro- removing batteries to convenient dents, who often then make a meal storage where they can receive a The following winter storage sugges- of electrical wiring, leading to short periodic charge. Clean all connections tions come from various Extension circuits or other electrical problems. and coat terminals with a thin layer bulletins, but should never supersede of grease to prevent corrosion. the recommendations found in equip- Reduce tension on belts to reduce ment operator’s manuals. stretch and increase belt life. Be Where possible, store equipment in a sure to follow storage instructions in building. If a building is not avail- Be sure to change the oil and per- the operator's manual for removing able, at least cover equipment with a form regular service. The hot, dry seed plates and other components to well secured tarp. This will always weather we have recently experi- relieve pressure on seals, brushes, improve equipment performance and enced makes oil changes necessary. and seed plates. This will minimize resale value. Clean engine oil will reduce internal warping and misshaped air seals and engine corrosion during storage. seed plates. Remove soil from all (See: Five Strategies for Extending Ma- Clean or replace air filters, replace furrow openers to reduce rust and chinery Life — VCE Publication 442-451. fuel filters and lubricate bearings improve performance next season. http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/bse/442- and joints to maximize the life and 451/442-451.pdf) efficiency of your machinery.