Buying a boom sprayer this weekend, need advice

[DennisH]

OK, so I'm in the market for a boom sprayer and would like to be the new owner of one this weekend or at least be upgrading a used one.

I have 5 AC of which 2 of it is my yard (Burmuda grass) and 3 AC of green stuff I keep cut down with the flail mower. All 5 AC are currently over taken with broadleaf and wild onion. My Tractor is a JD 870, 28 HP.

My 1st option so far are a few used ones located at the local used farm equipment place that I will be visiting tomorrow that I have no idea at this point what they have or if they are worth messing with. If I could fine a used 50 gal PTO system at a fair price I would jump on that.

Option 2 is to buy new at the local Tractor Supply Company and my choices are:

FIMCO LG-40-3PT-12V - This is a 12 volt system with a 4 nozzle 120" spray coverage, break away boom. $299.99

FIMCO LG-60-3PT - This comes with a std. Hydro 6 roller pump with a 7 nozzle 140" spray coverage, break away boom. $799.99

While a used PTO pump system would be the option I would want to go with I'm expecting to see nothing but large type (100 gal plus) items tomorrow. If this is the case than I will have to go with option 2.

For obvious reasons I like the 40 Gal $300 system but I'm not so sure I would like the 12V pump setup. I'm also not crazy about the handheld setup on both as I would like to see that on a reel.

Everything is give and take. What are your thoughts on a 12 volt system vs. a PTO system? I will be using this setup for weed control, Liquid Fert as well as general bug control / roundup spraying with the hand wand.

Attached are some pictures.

 

[dusty3030]

5 acres I'd go 12 volt all the way.

Easy on, easy off and you have the option to run it on an ATV, UTV, golf cart etc.

 

[MMagis]

I agree. You don't want a big roller pump sprayer for only 5 acres. A 12v sprayer does a much better job of using most of the liquid in the tank. Roller pump sprayers typically need quite a bit of liquid to operate properly.

 

[kf4uda]

After I bought my Polaris Ranger last spring I decided that I needed a spot sprayer for it. I researched different ones including what Tractor Supply had. I decided on this one. Ag Spray Super Deluxe Spot Sprayers

I bought it from TN Farmers Co-Op. AL Co-Op may sell them as well. I think they have two locations in Madison County. They have a boom kit for it that I plan to get as well. It is 12v and works very well for spot spraying. I feel confident it will work well with a boom also.

What ever brand you go with I think the 12v pump will work fine for 5 acres. I would make sure that it can be switched to recirculate. It really helps mix the product.

 

[LHS Inc]

I have the Fimco 40gal 12 v you're thinking about. I haven't used it yet but I expect it to do a good job this spring when I'll be spraying lawns for broadleaf weeds.

I've always run a 15gal 12v on the back of my 4 wheeler without a problem so I would think moving up to a 40 gal should give me the same results.

The 40 gal rig seems to be well built. Not sure just what kind of nozzles come on it. I'm going to look into getting some low drift nozzles if these aren't already.

 

[DennisH]

Unless I come upon something good in the $300 price range on a used sprayer at the used equipment place I plan to stop in TSC and buy the 40 gal 12v FIMCO.

I'm also not sure about the nozzles on the LG-40-3PT-12V but I can re-work those if needed.

Thanks for the input, I will let you know how this turns out tomorrow.

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much what everyone else said, we have both types, but the roller pump unit has 150 gallon tank.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have the 50-60 gal femco unit myself. Have had it for about 8 years as i recall. Has always worked great. I have 10 acres of pasture i spray every year AND i use the included hand wand to control weeds out in the forested 20 acre area.

I got mine for my 1996 JD870 tractor. No issues with it.

I spray Hi-Dep and i really would rather be further away from the spray nozzles with the 3 point unit as opposed to the atv models.

My new tractor is enclosed so i feel even safer.....though Hi-Dep is supposed to be relatively safe.. HAHA

 

[spc]

I got the fimco 40gal 12v last fall at TSC. Only used it a few times to spray weed killer on my 3 acres. It worked well. I'm planning to use it this spring to spray compost tea on the lawn.

FYI - TSC sent me a flyer in the mail today with a 10% discount coupon.

 

[foreman Etexas]

I only have a 25gal.spot sprayer I use on fence-lines,then have a but what my question is can you set the bigger 12v sprayer psi setting like you can with the pto? Cause my smaller 12v its either on or off.....

I also wonder what you are going to be spraying on the 5ac. Do you need to go 40/50/60gal. depending on what you will be spraying and water to chemical ratio may can get by spraying with one tank. Go to small gotta fill twice,go to big then its just over kill.