3 point sprayer rig questions

[LAGEORGE]

Bob, I made a spraying rig using a Fimco 25 gallon sprayer and an old 2 inch receiver hitch cargo carrier. I then used the Bad Rivers hitch system to mount it to my three-point lift on my tractor. It has worked out really well except for the hose. I really need and want to get a self-reeling system but cannot find the right one, any ideas guys?
I painted it up to match the tractor and ran a temporary cable to the power point I added to my tractor. It is temporary since my spraying needs really caught me off guard and I had not made provisions for it on my new tractor.
I have attached a picture of the spray rig and some oranges that I had just sorted. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

George

 

[LAGEORGE]

Second picture, showing a close up of the hitch

 

[Bob_Skurka]

LAGEORGE. . . What about using an "air hose reel" and simply using it for spray hose instead? My rig will have dual 30' hoses and I have not figued out how to deal with the hoses yet either, but had considered a retractable air hose reel becuase those seem pretty common and I would presume they would work if you just substitue the correct hose (not sure what fertilizers woud do to the seals of an air hose).

Also, I noticed you have a traditional wand sprayer on your unit, did you give any thought to a tree sprayer head that would allow for a much greater spray distance or are your trees short enough to use the wand spray head?

As for electrical connections, I have, but have not yet installed, a power outlet designed for the rear of a pick up truck bed. It comes with a weather proof housing and a flip cap and mounts into a 1 1/8" hole. I plan on putting it on the back of my tractor next to my tool box, which is a protected location and won't be at any risk of getting hit, plus it is low behind the seat and will allow me a place to run the wires and keep them protected. I am not sure if I will leave it hot, or if I will run it through a switch. I am leaning on leaving it hot.

 

[BeeFarmer]

Just read the TSC has a 60gal 3pt unit on sale for 388.00 not including pump. Special ends tomorrow.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

My tanks, pumps, hoses, and spray guns arrived yesterday. I got the higher pressure pumps and those, combined with the spray guns, are supposed to spray chemicals & fertilizers up to 35'.

I also picked up all the electrical connections I need to wire them up. Each pump will have a cigarette lighter style plug that will plug into a weatherproof cigarette receptical on the rear of my tractor.

I do not yet have the carry all frame that will be modified to make up the frame for the sprayer rig so there is no way I can get started on the project.

Just as with LAGEORGE, I am not sure what to do with the hoses. A simple hook is obviously the cheapest solution, but I have a couple narrow paths and lots of trees to snag things on so I am a bit leery about just looping the hose over a hook. However, I am planning on keeping the entire width of the spray rig NARROWER than the rear track of the tractor so snagging a hose on a branch may really not be much of an issue.

 

[LAGEORGE]

The biggest problem is having to try coil the hose backup after every use. It is a real drag and I must do something since it is making me nuts. A hose reel should work fine. But the question is which one?

George

PS: I do not need to spray up into the trees much if ever. I keep the trees below 18 feet and do not have much of a pest problem, yet. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I've seen 2 different types of hose reels that I like. One is the air hose reel that is spring laoded and auto retracts. They seem to run the gamut in price and capacity, but I've seen 50' reels in the $99 to $139 range. Manual hose reels are about $29 to $49.

I would ideally want one that is on a swivel wall mount if I choose to use one. I have seen them with metal spools and also plastic encased. I would think that the plastic encased units would simply be a bit better for outdoor use because of rust concerns, but who knows what is inside that plastic case???

I think I will originally build my unit without the reels, and see how much of a pain it is to wind up 30 feet of hose. If I get sick of that, I'll simply mount a couple of reels.

 

[Boomerboy]

Bob,

The tank is bolted to an angle iron frame using the factory bolt mounts on the bottom of the tank. The only attachment to the tractor is by the top link attachment as shown in the picture. It is just cantilevered off of the back, and is very stable. The pump is power by a 12 vdc connection located at the ROPS. Finding the right connector has been a story, and has been mentioned in TractorByNet before. I ride the tractor around the trees and spray away! It does a great and quick job on my apple and pear trees, but a number of nut trees, and the Locus trees, are a bit too high and I can't spreay the top halves.

 

[rozett]

LEGEORGE, would you mind posting a closeup photo of your reciever hitch assembly? I need to have one made and already have the drawbar. Yours looks very simple and therefore elegant. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[LAGEORGE]

Here are the pictures you requested.