opinions of backpack sprayers

[GaryS]

I'm going to get a backpack sprayer. It looks like to two main sprayers are: Solo 425 Deluxe & Stihl SG20.

Anyone have opinions or experiences with these? They're roughly the same price.

gary

 

[two_bit_score]

I've got a Solo. I'm going to buy a Stihl pretty soon. The Stihl is much better made as far as I can see just from looking at it. The Solo is OK. Just too much plastic. Since I can use another one I won't be buying another Solo.

 

[MikeInEburg]

I've had the Solo 425 for three years now and it has been fine. Large enough and comfortable enough to suit my needs. Only thing I may have done different is get a model that agitates mix as you pump - however I feel that my walking does a fair amount in keeping things mixed up.
Mike

 

[dmccarty]

I have a Solo sprayer. 4-5 gallons. It works.

Not real happy with it since the sprayer end leaks. The spray hose was just friction fitted so that with pressure it could blow out and whatever was in the sprayer would go whoosh out the hand control.

The little spray nozzles get blocked up which may be "my" fault since lately I have been using a dye to mark where I have sprayed. At this point I have glue the spray hose so it does not get blown out of the hand control.

I have had the Solo for 15 years or so. It has held up over time.

I did not know that Stihl has a sprayer. I would look at the Stihl and compare the two.

Later,
Dan

 

[GaryS]

I did not know that Stihl has a sprayer. I would look at the Stihl and compare the two.

Here's a link to the Stihl sprayer: Stihl SG20

The problem is that all I can do is look at pictures. None of my local Stihl dealers stock the SG20 and I'm not aware of any local place that sells the Solo. I have to rely on the opinions of people that already own one

 

[MikeInEburg]

Look at Tractor Supply for Solo - I think there's one within 30 minutes of you.
Mike

 

[kossetx]

I don't have experience with those but I put 50 or so gallons through a BP spayer every year. Wouldn't be without one. I have bigger electric sprayers but prefer the BP. This is my 3rd year on one I got from HFT for 17.00. Straps wouldn't stay on so they cleared them out. 2 screws fixed that. Sure do like it. Mark

 

[beenthere]

My only complaint of the solo is the seal around the cover/cap/lid.
Don't like the spray liquid running down my back. But with some extra work, can get it to not leak.

 

[Redbug]

I have a Solo, also. I like it...but have done a couple mods on it. I put a much better brass metal sprayer on it, (better than the el cheapo plastic one that came with it), and rigged up a holder for the sprayer out of a piece of PVC on the top of the tank.

I also spray about 50 gallons through it a year and it does the job. Solo has 2 types of these sprayers. One has the pump mechanism designed for liquids only, the other pump mechanism is designed for powders/solids mixed in with water for spraying. That mechanism will take more abrasive compounds. The big O ring drops out of the lid and that's what makes mine leak on occasion. Have to watch that.

You just can't beat a good backpack sprayer. You can get into places that a tractor or 4 wheeler can't go. I also use a dye with my Roundup.

I did not know that Stihl made sprayers either, and will look them over, also. I wonder what they cost?

 

[QRTRHRS]

I have the Stihl. I would have to look up what I paid as it has been four years or so. It is the only backpack sprayer that I ever owned so I cannot compare it but it worked just fine for me. My last property had about 10,000 feet of fence line that I sprayed with it a couple of times a year. The spray pattern was easily adjustable and laid out a consistent pattern.

I would buy another except I expect this one will last about as long as I can still load it up and go with it.

 

[westbrooklawn]

I have owned 3 Solo sprayers and will never buy another one... they tend to leak after time from the pump mechanism, and it is not good having chemicals run down your back. I currently use backpack sprayers made by Jatco. They sell under their own name as well as under Shindaiwa labeling. I have had excellent results with these sprayers, and use them commercially. I haven't owned the Stihl sprayer, but I have friends who use them and they seem very pleased with them.

I have never owned a Birchmeier sprayer, but they are supposedly the best... just a little too pricey for me.

 

[MarkV]

If there is a dealer local Echo make one that has worked well for us the last 4 years. No leaks, hasn't plugged up, good spray pattern adjustment. I think we paid about $100 at the time.

MarkV

 

[dmccarty]

My only complaint of the solo is the seal around the cover/cap/lid.
Don't like the spray liquid running down my back. But with some extra work, can get it to not leak.

AMEN AMEN AMEN.

I forgot about that "feature." I have been using a blue dye to tell me where I have sprayed.....

Filled up the tank including dye. Bent over to stand up with the sprayer on my back.....

A bunch of Roundup, dye and water poured on my neck and head. I looked like a Half Blue Man. Celtic I guess.

I stopped growing for a while and turned brown but I survived.

I got my Solo at HD years ago and I see them in Lowes. I am not happy with it but it is the only brand I have seen locally. Next time I am at the JD dealer I will see if they have the Sthil brand sprayer.

Later,
Dan

 

[MossRoad]

Do either of these sprayers need constant pumping or are they pressurized like the tank type sprayers so you only have to pump it up once or twice to spray the entire tank?

The reason I ask is because I have a backback sprayer and do not like it for the fact that I have to pump it too often. My arms get tired.

 

[California]

What brand is the pump-all-the-time brand?

 

[turbo36]

I have 3 of the Sthil's - work like a charm, no complaints.

 

[Redbug]

Moss, California...with the Solo you have to pump more or less all the time. That is, when spraying a section of fence with the sprayer on you just keep pumping. You can get ahead on it by pumping and building up pressure, then spraying to rest a little bit.

Dan...this pic is for you...Like you, I have gotten lizard back syndrome and gone home with a blue back, too. I think I may try red...

 

[MossRoad]

What brand is the pump-all-the-time brand?

Farm king or something like that. It is an older one. I would like to replace it since it is so much work. That's why I'm asking about these two mentioned in the thread.

 

[MossRoad]

Moss, California...with the Solo you have to pump more or less all the time. That is, when spraying a section of fence with the sprayer on you just keep pumping. You can get ahead on it by pumping and building up pressure, then spraying to rest a little bit.
...

That's what I was afraid of. I have about a dozen fruit trees and attempted to use the backpack sprayer on them. Good grief my arms cramped up and about fell off from the pumping.

I switched to my Spray Doc and it was much better. I fill it, pump it up and spray half the tank before pumping it again. If they made something like that in a backpack model, I would probably buy it.

 

[California]

That's what I was afraid of. I have about a dozen fruit trees and attempted to use the backpack sprayer on them. Good grief my arms cramped up and about fell off from the pumping.

I switched to my Spray Doc and it was much better. I fill it, pump it up and spray half the tank before pumping it again. If they made something like that in a backpack model, I would probably buy it.

Sounds like that little green one, using a shoulder strap, is still the optimal solution. I have 4-5 similar (inherited from various family) in 1 and 2 gallon size. I think each needs re-pumping only a couple of times per fill. It's easy to bear down on the pump if you put it on the ground. I fill several, carry them out into the orchard, and try to work back to the cache just as I empty one.

I was reading here to see if a backpack version was better but now I'm not convinced. Sure, for a straight fence row. But circling back and picking up another out of the loader bucket works too. I am only applying Roundup to the occasional random Poison Oak (which makes later harvest difficult), not clearing all the grass around each tree which would probably require a small trailer rig.