sprayer question

[dixie306]

I've got it on my mind to make a 25 to 40 gallon 12v boom sprayer, has anyone ever converted a wand type spot sprayer into a boom type sprayer or would the pump be too small? I have a carry all I can mount the tank on and wiring it up isn't a problem, but I don't know about the pumps for them, any ideas?

[mike194]

i have converted one to a boomless type, it seems to work good as long as there is no wind at all.

[Berniep]

I did that exact thing I used 4 standard nozzles on about a 7 foot boom. It is on a 25 gallon wand sprayer setup with a 2gpm pump. It used to maintain about 20 psi now it's lower, the cheap guage quit on me so I don't know exactly how low but it still gets good coverage. I think I would use a couple of those boomless sprayer nozzles instead of building a long boom if i did it again. I was worried about drift and wanted to get the boom as low as possible to the ground and still cover the area. I took many trips up and down the driveway experimenting with different nozzles and boom heights.

I want to upgrade the pump to a 3gpm pump sometime but it works rfor now.
Here are somer pictures of my setup.

[oliver28472]

I'm working on that now. My brother came up with some 1" square tubing and angle iron. I bought everything else from TSC. They have special clips made for 1" tubing that the nozzles will fit into. Bought a small pack of 1/4" hose, a ball valve and some hose clamps. So far have spent about $55.00 but haven't put any of it on my 25 gallon sprayer. Will use three nozzles.

[RonMar]

Most of the 25 gallon spot sprayers have a pump large enough to handle a small boom. Most of the pumps are rated in GPM at a given pressure. Most nozzels are also rated in GPM at a particular PSI so you know how fast to spray for a given coverage. If you can get pump and nozzel specs, you can put together the right combination. I think mine is 2.1 GPM at 40 PSI. I started out with a 80" coverage 2 nozzel boom and had no problem maintaining 40 PSI at the boom and was still dumping liquid back to the tank. I calculated that I could add another nozzel for 120" coverage, and still maintain 40 PSI with no excess being returned to the tank. This works great for me.

I was going to build my own originally, but after looking up all the parts, I found it pretty hard to beat the cost for a 25 gallon spot sprayer and a basic 2 nozzel boom kit($47?) from Agri-supply. The original manufacturer was Fimco, and I was able to order a matching additional nozzel and "T" from them directly when I upgraded to a three nozzel boom. I built a tow behind cart for it out of 1" box tube and two wheelbarrow wheels.

[blacksmith]

I built this sprayer that I use on the back of my garden tractor. I can drop this tank on a quick attach bracket and be ready to go in 2 minutes. I like it on the back of the tractor because it is easer to use than a trailer. I can spray 60" but my change it to cover more area. I can still use my wand or switch over to the boom. I bought the standard spot spray tank (26 gal) from Northern. The first valve shuts off the boom to use the wand. The "Y" sets the preassure to the nozzles.

[dixie306]

Thanks for all the info and pics guys. I'm gonna take some of everyones ideas and start on mine this weekend, weather permitting.

[ChemEng]

Originally Posted by Berniep

I did that exact thing I used 4 standard nozzles on about a 7 foot boom. It is on a 25 gallon wand sprayer setup with a 2gpm pump. It used to maintain about 20 psi now it's lower, the cheap guage quit on me so I don't know exactly how low but it still gets good coverage. I think I would use a couple of those boomless sprayer nozzles instead of building a long boom if i did it again. I was worried about drift and wanted to get the boom as low as possible to the ground and still cover the area. I took many trips up and down the driveway experimenting with different nozzles and boom heights.

I want to upgrade the pump to a 3gpm pump sometime but it works rfor now.
Here are somer pictures of my setup.
Attachment 100753

Attachment 100754

Attachment 100755

Looks like you have some wild violets in the yard. Have you had any luck trying to kill those things?

[Berniep]

Originally Posted by ChemEng

Looks like you have some wild violets in the yard. Have you had any luck trying to kill those things?

No I haven't had much luck.
2-4-D based stuff knocks them back a little but they come back
The county extension agent said try douling up on the concentration.

[rdbrumfield]

county extension agent better get his stuff together. The label on that herbicide, is law. Him reccommending you double the strength is way beyond his relm.
I would get hold of the herbicide manufacturer and see what they sat to do.