Sprayer 3 pt Sprayer Advice

[Mrwurm]

I would like to buy a 3 pt sprayer for my TC30 (24 pto hp). Tractor Supply has a 60 gallon unit that seems to about right but it does'nt come with the roller pump. Here's the trouble, they stock several sizes of pumps in various gpm outputs at various pressures at various rpms. How does one go about deciding on the right pto pump? I want to spray lawn weeds and also to spray 12 fruit trees. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Also, I did'nt see a pressure regulator on the sprayer. Do I have to buy this separate as well?

 

[Hoeman00]

I just got one of those sprayers this spring.
Yes it has a pressure regulator already on it.
My f-i-l had a brass gear pump he gave me to use on it.
But it only has about 20 gpa max unless u slow way down.
The nozzles that come standard are putting 10 gpa at 6mph and 30psi if my memory serves me right.
The service people at TSC told me which of their pumps to use if I went that way.
I sprayed HiDep 2,4-d on my pretty yellow yard /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
The next day u could see all the broad leaf weeds curling up.
The manual on the sprayer has the chart to
A. figure out mph (need this for hydro)
B.figure out gpa (speed and pressure)
C. so u know how much to mix for right KILL
Dad has the manual for the sprayer so if I can I'll try to get it tonight to help answer any more ???.
Only problem I have is w/ the 35D being so large, I can't reach the shut off so when I have time I will need to make a bracket to raise and move it forward plus longer hoses to replumb it.
BTW the hydraulic toplink works good using the sprayer to keep it 18" above weeds, if u use the 3 pt to move u have to watch the hoses don't kink from the wide range of motion.

 

[Inspector507]

Jerry,
I know this is not a 3 pt sprayer, but it works for me since I just need to do occasional spot spraying. Sprayed about 25 gallons of Round-Up concentrate today in a couple of hours. I got a 25 gallon sprayer from Agri-Supply and set it on the carry all.

 

[OkieG]

MrWurm,

The 3ph sprayer I have is a 55gal model with a 10' boom and 7 nozzles. Mine is not from TSC, but it sounds like it could be similar to yours.

The roller pump did come from TSC, however. I relied on their suggestions. They steered me to a Hypro series 6500 (pictured) cast iron roller pump: 9.7 gpm @ 540 rpm. It's been put to use 3 times a year for 3 years now, and seems to work very well. I have no complaints.

Cast iron pumps do require a bit of post-spraying maintenance or they can freeze up with rust (First hand experience is a good teacher /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif). After spraying, I flush the whole system with clean water. Once the pump is removed (do it right away...don't let it just sit on the tractor /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif), it gets a healthy dose of WD40 in the inlet/outlet openings. Then, I let it dry for a day or two before sealing up the openings with the plastic plugs that come with the pump. Every once in a while, throughout the year, I will give the PTO connector a spin by hand just to make sure rust hasn't caused it to bind up. I don't know if my maintenance routine is proper or not, but so far so good.

Sorry, I can't remember what it cost.

OkieG

 

[Bird]

OkieG, I let mine rust and seize once, took it apart, cleaned everything in the Cyclone Blaster cabinet I had (like a sandblast cabinet, but used glass beads), then put it back together and it was OK. After that, I either left it full of insecticide or filled it with automotive antifreeze, depending on the time of year. Never had another problem with it.

 

[OkieG]

Bird,
Can't remember how I broke mine loose, but it did take a little friendly persuasion. Since then, WD40 after every use and it spins as free as new. Seems to pump just fine.

OkieG

 

[Mrwurm]

OkieG, you mentioned '9.7 gpm @ 540 rpm'. Do I have to run at pto speed? If I am happy with 5 gpm, can I run at a lower engine speed?

 

[Bird]

Jerry, I'll answer for OkieG /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. Yes, you can run it slower and I frequently did. You'll be running at lower pressure and I'm not sure how much difference it'll make in volume dispensed.

 

[OkieG]

Thanks Bird! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

<font color="blue"> can I run at a lower engine speed </font> I do all the time. The technique for calculating fluid volume dispensed for a given lawn area versus a constant ground speed doesn't work well for me. My yard is too lumpy and it's hard to keep a constant ground speed.

I put the right amount of chemical for my sized yard in the tank along with enough water to mostly fill the tank. Then I spray at less than 540 rpm and expect to spray 2 or 3 passes to empty the tank.

By the way, if your sprayer can't use all the flow the pump is putting out, the excess bypasses the spray nozzles (at the valve) and is returned to the tank...no problem.

OkieG

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Mrwurm, I use both a 100 gal. and 15 gal. boom sprayers /hand wand combos for lawns and fruit trees. I strongly suggest you get an adjustable pressure valve. A higher pressure will be ok for fine misting of trees, but you want larger droplets for the lawn etc. (higher volume of water per acre). It may also be necessary to change nozzles, depending on the application. You can also buy a measuring bottle to hang on a nozzle, drive a premeasured distance, and it will tell you how much you are putting down per acre. Then adjust your pressure valve accordingly to get the right gal. per acre of product. Again, droplet size is important between ground applications and trees, etc. Good luck.