Sprayer recommendation solicitation

[KWRB]

Hello Folks.

I have no idea why I didn't sign up to post on this forum forever ago. I love being able to throw questions around. I don't have a lot of sources for advice on these kinds of things, so this helps.

I have a project a few years in the making so far. I am tunring an old disused field behind my house into a wildflower meadow. It will improve the aesthetic, and it'll be four acres I don't have to mow. So far, two years in, I've brush hogged two seasons, plowed last fall, and I'm discing now. I'm getting ready to spray, once or twice before a late fall planting. I am a little stuck on finding a sprayer. I don't want to sink a ton of money into a sprayer because unlike the other attachments I've bought for this project (brush hog, plow, disc, broadcast spreader), the sprayer won't get used much.

I am considering a Fimco 40 gallon 3 pt Fimco 4 Gallon 12V 3-Point Sprayer - For Life Out Here, but the reviews aren't great. It's always hard to trust reviews on a webpage like tractor supply because I'm sure at least a few of those negatives are from foolish misapplication. I am also considering the 60 gallon Fimco 6 Gal. 3 Point Sprayer, 7 Nozzle Boom - For Life Out Here but as you can see, it's quite a bit more expensive. Supposedly, the roller pump is way better vs the electric pump, and the construction is better. I don't want to spend crazy money on account of it won't be used much, but saving a few bucks isn't worth a darn if it breaks and I can't use it.

I'm looking for input and opinions! Thanks all!

 

[Creamer]

I bought a Fimco from TSC about ten years ago and paid just under $300 for it but it did not have the hand wand or the pump with it. I had a 6 vane roller pump already that works fine. I just used this sprayer about a week ago and would have used it today if it wasn't rainy.

I know TSC prices vary a little (In Lansing, MI at that time it was about $360) but I also know that if you buy the pump separate and then the fittings it is a lot cheaper - just their pricing.

I have the 12' boom and it covers about 15' as it sprays a little wider.

there is not much to go wrong and these work great.

Agri Supply also has some pretty good deals.

I am not a fan of messing with the 12v pumps - much prefer the PTO pump.

The only problem I have had is that one time I was folding the boom and let go of it too early and it snapped back so hard that it hit and broke a nozzle. I added a couple of pieces of rubber cork to keep them from hitting each other when the boom is folded back.

 

[drdoolittle]

I recently have purchased the Fimco 40 gal 3pt sprayer with the wand and boom. Have had no problems with it. Am using it to help maintain 12 acres. I'd definitely suggest rinsing it out thoroughly after each run and don't leave liquids setting in it longer than necessary. I keep mine stored in the shed when not in use so they should help it last as well. It's not the fanciest or best, but it's working well for me.

Eric

 

[Huskerfan]

I have the 3 point 40 Fimco gallon sprayer but it is entry level. I like it because it is more compact to store in my garage and is light and easy to move around on a dolly and mount on the 3 point.

To make it more functional, I modified it by increasing from the standard 4 nozzles to 6 TT11003 teejet nozzles and upgraded the 2.1 gpm pump to the 3.8 gpm Fimco. This gives excellent 120 inch swath coverage and the you can cover cover 35,000 square feet in less than an hour, depending on trees and obstacles.

Requires a little modification to fit the pump as the 3.8 is larger and you have to replumb the hoses to accommodate the extra nozzles. If you do this, also consider the diaphragm check valves that attach to the nozzles, then when you shut the pump off, there is no residual dripping from the nozzles. Fimco has an online catalog, browse through it.

My brother has the pto pump and replaces it almost annually for his crop spraying, he considers it a consumable.

The nice thing about the Fimco 12 volt electric pump is that it can be easily repaired with a new diaphragm kit. Flush and drain it after use and keep RV antifreeze in it during the winter and you'll get good service from it. Also the parts described above was are widely available at any Fimco dealer.

 

[Huskerfan]

I primarily use mine only for lawn. In the spring I use Square One herbicide as a preemergent and then spray liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks, Nature's Lawn, All in One Fertiizer.

 

[Creamer]

My brother has the pto pump and replaces it almost annually for his crop spraying, he considers it a consumable.

The nice thing about the Fimco 12 volt electric pump is that it can be easily repaired with a new diaphragm kit. Flush and drain it after use and keep RV antifreeze in it during the winter and you'll get good service from it. Also the parts described above was are widely available at any Fimco dealer.

Not sure why he would have to replace the pump every year. I have used mine for 20 years and not replaced it - just drain it and put a few drops of oil in it after rinsing it good.

 

[Huskerfan]

I agree, a little maintenance on these pumps by draining and oiling it would go a long way. For my purposes the electric pump is convenient to hookup with just a pig tail trailer wire. I have it toggle switched on the dash.

 

[Lindy]

Did OP ever get a sprayer?

I was in the same situation as you a few months ago. I'm also in Western NY. After lots of looking, I wound up going with a Crop Care 3pt 60 Gallon Sprayer. I used to run a 15 gallon Fimco on the back of an ATV, but it took too long to do my property with that, and the reliability of the Fimco was so-so. Crop Care sprayers are more money than the Fimcos, but much more substantial. I run mine on the back of my B3030. So far so good. I found a good deal on a Hypro 7560 8-roller Silver Series pump, so I can safely run Round Up through it. If you ever want to look at Crop Care sprayers, Himrod Farm Supply carries them. They're not too far from you, down near Penn Yan, NY.

 

[KWRB]

Did OP ever get a sprayer?

I was in the same situation as you a few months ago. I'm also in Western NY. After lots of looking, I wound up going with a Crop Care 3pt 60 Gallon Sprayer. I used to run a 15 gallon Fimco on the back of an ATV, but it took too long to do my property with that, and the reliability of the Fimco was so-so. Crop Care sprayers are more money than the Fimcos, but much more substantial. I run mine on the back of my B3030. So far so good. I found a good deal on a Hypro 7560 8-roller Silver Series pump, so I can safely run Round Up through it. If you ever want to look at Crop Care sprayers, Himrod Farm Supply carries them. They're not too far from you, down near Penn Yan, NY.

I haven't yet. I decided to push my project a year. I have the field tilled, but the weeds aren't germinating enough that I feel confident enough that I could kill them all before planting. I'm going to do another year cycle of this to be sure I get them all. Thus, I won't spray until next year because I only want to spray once or twice. I'll give Crop Care a good look. Thanks for the note!

 

[Jim in ICT]

Purchased the Fimco 40 gallon 3 point sprayer and have used it twice to spray Roundup on a 1/2 acre of my front lawn. Worked fine and plan to use it in the spring for the pre-emergent.