The simple trick to getting the most out of your Airtractor is to always fly it in balance. Easy with a 402 and 602. Harder with a 502 and an 802(earlier models anyhow)
It'll turn faster and safer. It'll use fuel at a similar rate out of both tanks. The problem with the Airtractor is that from the 502's down they use same unvented header tank that the 301's had. So if you fly out of balance with fuel in one tank below 1/4, the tank outlet can be uncovered which allows air into the header tank. Because theres no vent there the air can't get out. Eventually that air can get into the fuel lines.There have been a number of instances of AT's with more than required reserves flaming out for this reason.
Can anybody confirm that switching the fuel pump on can exacerbate a low fuel condition because it takes fuel from the header and sends it via the FCU back to the mains faster than it can be replaced. Would probably only be a problem depending on which tank is nearly empty and which is getting the excess fuel. I've heard this theory but it was a long time ago.
In fact does any body know a good Ag engineer we can encourage to join us here to help out with these types of questions?