Cleaning and maintaining cattle collars

Regular care keeps your collar performing at its best and helps you get the most value from it. We recommend cleaning and inspecting the collar whenever you change the battery and at the start or end of each grazing season. A quick wipe of the solar panel and a visual check are usually all it takes to keep everything running smoothly.
If your animals graze year-round and the battery is not replaced, a simple inspection and light cleaning about once a year is sufficient to maintain reliable performance.

At the end of the grazing season

• Move the collars in the app to “no pasture”.

• Remove the battery from the collar.

• Inspect the collar and battery for dirt or damage before cleaning. Clean with a damp cloth or a soft nylon brush (such as a toothbrush or dishwasher brush). Allow all parts to dry before storage.

• Check that there is no dust or mud on the battery poles. Clean the poles with a cotton bud if needed.

• If disinfection is needed, use Virkon S and follow the instructions on the packaging.

• Charge the batteries before storage. Store them fully charged to maintain performance, reduce degradation, and make the next season start easier.

• Store collars and batteries in a dry and clean place at room temperature.

Before the new grazing season

• Check the battery. Make sure there is no dust or mud on the battery poles. Clean the poles using a cotton bud if needed.

• Charge the battery if it was not fully charged before storage.

• You may apply a very small amount of petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) or battery clamp grease (like Liqui Moly) to the base of the outer battery poles to help protect against moisture and corrosion. Apply only to the positive (+) and negative (-) poles on each side; do not apply to the pole in the middle.

• Insert the battery to power on the collar and allow it to connect, retrieve data, and update firmware. This may take up to 30 minutes in a good connectivity area.

When changing the battery

• Make sure the collar won't emit a pulse while you are handling it.

• Remove the battery from the collar. Press the green buttons on both sides at the same time to release it. You may need to apply firm pressure. If the battery is difficult to remove, pump pliers can be used to carefully help release it.

• Inspect the collar battery compartment and remove any build-up, such as dirt or hair. Wipe it gently with a dry or slightly damp cloth and let it dry before inserting a new battery.

• Insert a charged battery and make sure it clicks securely into place. The collar plays the startup sound when a charged battery is inserted.

• Clean the removed battery with a damp cloth or a soft nylon brush, such as a toothbrush or dishwasher brush. Check the battery poles for dust or mud, and clean the poles with a cotton bud if needed before storage or charging.