Spot sprayer buy build recommendations

[Goldcountry]

Hey guys. First time posting. Usually just read the forum and search. This one has got me stumped though. Pretty new to farming also. Wondering if y'all could help me with spot sprayers. I don't actually even know what i need and have never really used much besides backpack sprayers. I really need something that won't break the bank but Will cut my work time down. I Sometimes need to spray 15 feet in the air. I need something that Will put out volume to completely coat every bit of foliage, nook and cranny but not wasteful. Sometimes i can use expensive pesticides. I have a few neighbors that actually don't use a spot sprayer at all. They use airless paint sprayers. From my research those have very low flow (.25 to .30 gpm). They have pressure in the thousands though. They seem to work more like atomizers do. Put out a very fine mist that hits every bit of foliage effortlessly. Inexpensive models are around 250$. but They seem to be lacking a little. I'm worried the volume is not enough. I am severely over worked and really need to cut my labor down. However a 2.2 gpm could be over kill considering the cost of some pesticides. I'm really not sure. I have looked on youtube at videos of spot sprayers. They don't seem to Put out to much more volume or pressure then a backpack sprayer. that could just be the camera though. I'm really worried that a 60 psi 2.2gpm sprayer won't have the pressure i need to coat as evenly as i need it to. Please help. I'm not opposed to building a sprayer if i have to. Thanks guys.

 

[Rmart30]

Buy once cry once. I tried buying a cheap sprayer and got what I paid for. It didnt last long. Look at the Fimco. FIMCO 4 Gal Spot Sprayer LG-4-DLX by Fimco Industries for $194.97 in Sprayers - Accessories - Spraying - Tractor Parts & Accessories - Agriculture : Rural King

 

[jaxs]

Check out the offerings at Northern Tool. They have a good selection at good prices and offer in house parts and repair at most locations. For emergence use and can be carried in the tool chest or under truck seat,trombone sprayers reach where pump-ups can't.

 

[Goldcountry]

Thanks for the replies! I have seen the fimco and northern tool offerings online. Northern tool has the expensive high pressure sprayer (400$ with shipping) and then the regular one that seems very affordable. Trying to stay within a 200$ or so budget. I'm really wondering if the fimco and northern tool is enough pressurel. The regular northern tool seemed to have 70psi and everything else is about 60. Don't know if that10 psi will help much. I wish could see one in use to know if it will actually do the trick.

 

[Goldcountry]

I would always be using it as a mist. When using the 60 psi fimco and northern tool sprayers as a mist, how far up could it reach? I know what it states on the specs but I'm assuming that is a very narrow stream.

 

[jaxs]

Speaking from experience in spraying various things over the years,50 psi is enough to atomize most everthing other than a few wettable powders. If your product doesn't stay in suspension long enough to empty tank you will need agitation. That's why you need a pump capiable of at least 25% additional gpm than your largest noozles. For single atomizing noozle,you gpm requirement is very low(look at the noozles you intend to use). As you compare pumps you will notice some are high volume (gpm) at low psi while another in same price range is low volume at high psi. The higher psi pump will deliver more volume at lower psi but the high volume pump isn't capiable of higher psi. Now to you most recent concurns. That 70 psi pump might get you over the hump running at 60 psi and use the extra for agitation. How high will brand X deliver a mist? Not far,regarless what brand. You are going to need your noozle on an extension pole if you expect to reach 15' the ground with mist. Most orchards deliver a stream to top of tree and alow dripping mix to cover lower branches of tree.

 

[Goldcountry]

I went with the northern tool mainly because it was 70psi instead of 60. If it isn't enough pressure i will have to just upgrade the pump i guess.
Anyone have any recommendations on extending the hose? I'm looking for around 100ft of hose. Should i just get clear braided reinforced 3/8 and a barbed coupler.

 

[Goldcountry]

Thank you jaxs! Duo you know where i could get an extension pole from for the northern tool sprayer? Didn't see anything in their site.

 

[jaxs]

Damaged aluminum and fiberglass poles that hold life saving hook around public pools that I get from apartment houses might work. There are tons of orchard spray equipment outlets in Ca,surely they can fix you up. I'm starting to become uneasy about how well you've thought this through. For instance. Once you have a wand to reach top of 15' trees,you will need head to toe personal protection plus resperation equipment. The afterthought 100' hose will tax your barly adequate pump.

 

[Goldcountry]

do have a suit and very good respirators. I Will check the orchard supply. Hour drive to town.
I should have mentioned the 100ft hose before. Sorry for all the questions but i very much appreciate the answers. Do not mind losing a little flow but don't want to lose pressure. Would out be less taxing on the pump if i we're to Get larger diameter hose? 70psi wouldn't be to much for a decent garden hose. I probably should have built a sprayer with a better pump. I didn't really see a ready made sprayer with more pressure. Maybe i will have to get another one.
Just don't know anything about spot sprayers. This it's all pretty new to me.
Thank you so much.