Wilco brand 3 point sprayer

[scobrado]

Wilco farm stores from the Northwest has a 60 gallon 12V 3 point sprayer with boom on sale for $479 during February. That seems like a fair deal. Wilco is not a manufacturer, so it's undoubtedly an OEM sprayer. I'm not sure I'l be able to get parts for it. Any thoughts on buying a house brand implement? The pump would be the critical element.

I've used Solo backpack sprayers for years because the parts are available. I'm looking forward to putting down 50 gallons plus without walking, pumping, refilling, repeat, repeat, repeat...

[idaho2]

How many acres are you spraying and are you looking at a multi use system that will handle Herbicide, insecticide and fertilizer. I have a 30ft. boom with a 325gal tank. My tax on my unit was more than what Wilco is asking for a sale price. But than my unit is multi function, has its own motor to operate pump with 200' reel attachment hose and computerized operation from my tractor.

idaho2

[scobrado]

That's a lot of tax. In Ore., there's no sales tax.

I put down herbicide on problem areas of about 12 acres of timber with some orchard. I fertilize with pellets and stakes. I only spray a few trees with insecticide, so a backpack is fine for that. It's keeping blackberries down that I need more capacity for.

I suspect the hoses, boom, wand, etc. will be no problem to maintain. I just was wondering if anyone knew if the pump was particularly bad or likely to fail, and how maintainable it might be considering it's an off brand. It might be fairly standard. I will go to the store an see if anyone has answers on these issues.

[idaho2]

I sprayed 80 acres last year in Idaho after I bought my sprayer from McGregor out of Colfax, WA. WA got my tax money. Here's the web site for Mcgregor McGregor Agriculture, Turf, & Lawn Care Sprayers. They do have 3pt set ups and you would have a direct contact with them for parts. I've seen their parts dept and it's impressive.

idaho2

[David_Kb7uns]

Where do you get 12v pump at?? The picture in my ad looks like it is a PTO pump type sprayer, see 2 loose hose ends in the picture. You will need to get the pump, torque arm and chain, coupler and some nipples. Depending on the pump if it is cast iron or nickle you will spend a few hundred on pump, coupler and associated parts to get a PTO sprayer up and running.

I have the Fimco unit which is a little more but I think is a little better built, Coastal should have them coming up on sale soon.

Do about 1 tank of Round up here and 2 -3 of Crossbow for the black berries each year, so it is worth it if you have much land.

As for parts most of this stufff uses common valves, fittings and nozzles and does not require much modification if any to change out parts. Now the 12v 15 or 25 gallon spot sprayer at the top of the page says it has a Shurflo pump that is servicable and you can get parts for when they wear out.

Will try to stop by the Lebanon Wilco tomorrow and look at the sprayers


David Kb7uns

[scobrado]

Where do you get 12v pump at?? The picture in my ad looks like it is a PTO pump type sprayer, see 2 loose hose ends in the picture. You will need to get the pump, torque arm and chain, coupler and some nipples. Depending on the pump if it is cast iron or nickle you will spend a few hundred on pump, coupler and associated parts to get a PTO sprayer up and running.
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David Kb7uns

Yep, no pump. I had briefly discussed it on the phone and asked if it as PTO or 12V pump. They weren't sure but thought it was 12V. Turns out it's neither.

I went to a store and saw one. The boom arms were not as long as the picture, and it looked like it had sat in the yard for a season, but it looked okay.



The sprayer itself looks pretty maintainable but not the greatest quality. When I moved the boom, one of the springs popped off. The torque arm and chain are $40 and the coupler is $40. There is a 40% off coupon, so I can get one of those for $26. With an iron pump for $130, I can get out of the store with about $200 extras on top of the $479 sprayer. So that's about $680 for a PTO 60 gal. sprayer. My needs are light, so that's probably as much sprayer as I would ever need.

The sale goes through February, so I'm mulling it over.

[David_Kb7uns]

Looked at it today I like the Fimco a little better but this one is not bad for a welded frame. The 6 roller iron pump is around $129 and it is the best value and provides more then enough flow at half speed the 4 roller is cheaper but not quite big enough.

As far as torque arm, I do not use one, I just have a bolt and with nut going into one of the holes on the pump using the type of chain used for dog leads. If you flush pump with water with Nutrasol and keep oil or antifreeze in it the iron pumps will not rust and will last a long time.

I put camlock connectors on the pump and hoses and have plugs to put in the pump fittings to keep fluid from spilling from pump after cleaning and filling with oil.

[mjncad]

That Wilco is like every other 3PH sprayer I've seen in that you have to purchase the pump separately. With as much acreage as you have; don't even consider using a 12V pump as they aren't meant for that kind of long term continuous duty.

I have a FIMCO 55-gallon 3PH sprayer I heavily modified. https://picasaweb.google.com/1101061.../FIMCOSprayer#

In spite of my taking care of my entry level Hypro 6-roller cast iron pump by putting antifreeze in it after every use, I still had it seize up. But I got lucky and scored a new Hypro 6-roller Silvercast pump on eBay for about the same money or less than a new entry level cast iron pump.

[JDonly]

I don't see a three point top link connection on the sprayer in that picture.

[scobrado]

The unit in the Wilco yard definitely had a 3 point. The top of the tank is higher than the top hitch.