Sprayer PTO or Electric Sprayer

   / PTO or Electric Sprayer #1  

toddwulf

Silver Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2001
Messages
224
Location
Cameron Park, CA.
Tractor
1998 New Holland 1920
Neighborhood group looking to buy a sprayer. Questions:
1. PTO or Electric
2. 3Pt Mount or trailer
3. Brands to avoid
4. Brands to look into

3 Tractors will be using all in excess of 30 HP. Wisdom needed - these things aren't inexpensive.

Thanks, Todd
 
   / PTO or Electric Sprayer #2  
I've had both, and find the electric is much 'simpler' with less maintenance, and cheaper.
Especially, if a group using it, I'd suggest the electric. Maintenance and 'procedure' for the PTO roller pumps is significant, and may be hard to 'control' with a group.
Pressure needed may be a factor which rules out the electric, but I assume you've covered that already.
I'd go with a trailer, but PTO might work for your group. But there again, boom size might dictate the 3pt. Just that much easier to disconnect and connect to a trailer. Hook up, plug in and 'go'.
 
   / PTO or Electric Sprayer #3  
Demco makes a large line of pto sprayers with hypro pumps, very good machines. Electric sprayers tend to cost less, try surfing around at WWW. lawnsite.com, lots of info on all kinds of spraying systems there.
 
   / PTO or Electric Sprayer #4  
Many barnds just make their own tank (or buy what's available) and build their own "saddle" for it to ride in/on. From there, they all use generic parts to complete the package. In MOST cases, Tee-Jet components are used.

Any reasonable priced sprayer will do. After getting it, the "bells and whistles" can be added. I used a Fimco (TSC) sprayer as a base, then added 10 PSI check valve nozzle bodies, better pressure guage, a hand wand kit, and a Hypro 5 roller PTO pump. In all, I have around $650 invested in what is as good of a sprayer as any more expensive 65 gallon models.

I prefer the PTO pump myself. In some cases, I spray mixtures that require higher delivery rates than I suspect the electric pumps can muster. (higher delivery pressure)

If you don't maintain (read; CLEAN) a PTO pump after using, it will not last. (Same thing no doubt applies to elect. pump) If you tend to slack off on that sort of thing, the electric pump is cheaper.

I prefer a 3-point model to a trailer. Just a personal choice. I can see the advantages of a trailer type for "group use".
 
   / PTO or Electric Sprayer #5  
Depends on lot sizes that will be sprayed and what you'll spray. Electric won't have enough flow for many nozzles on a sizable rig . Tall trees may present a problem too. An electric might be hard pressed to suit each member's needs.
Also, you may have missed agitation in your questions. Many products seperate/settle after a few minutes without agitation circuit.
The best elec I've seen are at one of my suppliers AM Leonard
I believe they have 150psi model with agitate circuit.
 
   / PTO or Electric Sprayer #6  
I've never had an 'agitate' problem with spray that is in a tank and one is moving around the yard. Mucho sloshing in the tank going on to keep it mixed. I run everything through a strainer screen and the 12V pump supplies 12psi (will go up to 60 psi) to 4 nozzles with no problems covering about a 7'swath on a 6' boom.
Granted, more nozzles mean more design to fit the needs. As well as more needs such as spraying the tops of trees will mean more design and more pump power.
Not knowing the intended use of the 'neighborhood', I would think a 6-7' boom sprayer switchable to a hand wand would cover the basics. I pull a nurse trailer with a 30 gal tank and 12v pump. The boom I have on the front for better control and placement of spray.
 
   / PTO or Electric Sprayer #7  
I have the same setup as Farmwithjunk. I bought it a Tractor Supply, and it was in bad shape. I got 40% off, and rebuilt the unit since the plastic parts were rotted from UV exposure. I called Fimco, and for 35 dollars I was able to replace the plastic parts. I must say I really like the experience I had when I called Fimco. Nice people, and my parts were on-time and accurate. The person on the phone knew their product! He told me what I needed to replace and other areas that may be of concern. I used a 6 roller pump and it is great. I can shut off the sprayer by simply disengaing the PTO. No need to get off the tractor... I went with 3 point since it allows me more manuverability.

Good luck,

Joe
 
   / PTO or Electric Sprayer #8  
Depends on product. Without the circuit, most oil based and wettables do not stay in suspension, even with "slosh" type agitation. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Poster said excess of 30hp tractors will be used, so I kind of excluded the backyard low pressure spot sprayers. He wasn't real clear on what they had to accomplish.
I figure better to have something to accomodate everyones needs if they're all contributing cash. I've heard about those neighborhood association disagreements.
 
   / PTO or Electric Sprayer
  • Thread Starter
#9  
To Follow up on our intended use and application:

1. Most of us own in excess of 5 acres. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
2. Tractors are an MF 30HP (+/-), NH 1920, Kubota 45HP. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
3. Primary use is to spray for control of Yellow Starthistle, a non native, invasive toxic weed that even cows won't eat. Pre Emergent (Feb/Mar) spraying with intended herbicide most effective. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
4. We're neighbors but mostly fellow beer afficianado's. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
5. Two of us are tractor partners already which works out well. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Appreciate the feedback and input - Keep it comin'.

Todd in Placerville
 
   / PTO or Electric Sprayer #10  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I've never had an 'agitate' problem with spray that is in a tank and one is moving around the yard. Mucho sloshing in the tank going on to keep it mixed. I run everything through a strainer screen and the 12V pump supplies 12psi (will go up to 60 psi) to 4 nozzles with no problems covering about a 7'swath on a 6' boom.
Granted, more nozzles mean more design to fit the needs. As well as more needs such as spraying the tops of trees will mean more design and more pump power.
Not knowing the intended use of the 'neighborhood', I would think a 6-7' boom sprayer switchable to a hand wand would cover the basics. I pull a nurse trailer with a 30 gal tank and 12v pump. The boom I have on the front for better control and placement of spray. )</font>

Any idea where one can get a sprayer like this w/ a PTO pump? I'd love a 30-50 gal sprayer w/ a 6-8 ft boom for under $1000. All I can find online are the huge ones 100 gal+).

Thanks.
 
 
 
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