Sprayer Sprayer: PTO Pump vs. 12 Volt Pump

[DavidPerry]

Round up is corrosive to the workings of most mechanical pumps. Some are rated as round up ready. If you don't get one of those, be certain to flush out the round up when you are finished. Leaving a bit of oil or anti-freeze in the pump when you store it is a good idea.

 

[mjncad]

I would be using round-up occasionally. If I went with a roller pump, would I need a special roller pump, or are they all pretty well set up for round-up?

Hy-Pro has a pricey pump body called Silver-cast meant for Round-up; but I use plain Jane cast iron without problems. As others have said, put oil or antifreeze in the pump to protect it after use. I use antifreeze since it's water soluble. I also run antifreeze through all the hoses, nozzles and wand after each use.

 

[lawn_king]

Round up is corrosive to the workings of most mechanical pumps. Some are rated as round up ready. If you don't get one of those, be certain to flush out the round up when you are finished. Leaving a bit of oil or anti-freeze in the pump when you store it is a good idea.

Most herbicides are corrosive, selective products as well as non selective. Roundup (gly) can have a chemical reaction and explode if mixed in a steele tank.

 

[mjncad]

Most herbicides are corrosive, selective products as well as non selective. Roundup (gly) can have a chemical reaction and explode if mixed in a steele tank.

I think the warnings apply to galvanized steel.

 

[Bird]

I've had both a 50 gallon spray rig with a 12 volt Shurflo pump (actually belonged to my brother) and a 25 gallon rig with a Hypro roller pump, but powered by a Briggs & Stratton engine instead of the tractor PTO. I agree with what the others have said, and in addition, another big difference that may or may not be important to you is the maximum pressure they pumps are capable of. The 12 volt was a maximum of 50 psi, and while I normally ran my roller pump at 100 psi, it was actually capable of more than twice that pressure.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Hy-Pro has a pricey pump body called Silver-cast meant for Round-up; but I use plain Jane cast iron without problems. As others have said, put oil or antifreeze in the pump to protect it after use. I use antifreeze since it's water soluble. I also run antifreeze through all the hoses, nozzles and wand after each use.

I hope you're right because I just pulled the trigger on a "plain Jane cast iron" pump.

I wonder if the antifreeze helps wash out the old pesticide too. I have this recurring nightmare while designing this sprayer that I'll not clean roundup out of my sprayer well enough and somehow kill off my whole yard or something like that.

 

[december45]

i agree with the 12vt for spot spraying.... i use 12volt for berrys and star thistle, on 13 acres... and used to have a roller pump, im happier with the 12vt

 

[mjncad]

I hope you're right because I just pulled the trigger on a "plain Jane cast iron" pump.

I wonder if the antifreeze helps wash out the old pesticide too. I have this recurring nightmare while designing this sprayer that I'll not clean roundup out of my sprayer well enough and somehow kill off my whole yard or something like that.

I clean my system out with a neutralizing chemical (e.g. All Clear, Neutrasol) and water before I leave about 1 - 5 gallons of water/antifreeze mix in the tank and system. I pour pure antifreeze in the pump. My sprayer and pump live outdoors as I have no indoor space for them.

It seems that I spend more time cleaning the system than I do spraying. My next sprayer modification is to add a quick dump outlet to drain the tank quickly. Currently it drains through the strainer, and that takes a while.

 

[wushaw]

I have a 25gal 12v tow behind and a 15 gal 12v spot sprayer. The 12v pumps need regulation through the bypass valve to keep them from cycling when running them constantly.

 

[Tbvck]

I have a 60 gallon pto driven 6 roller pump with a 12' boom sprayer, also attached is a spot sprayer with more than enough hose. That way I can do both kinds of spraying. If you have a good amount of acreage, I would opt for a similar set up. I agree with others have suggested too.