Sprayer Ag sprayer advice

willywildes · Feb 11, 2005

I ended up with a 55 gal Fimco sprayer. I bought it from Spraying Equipment & Supply, I found it on the net.I also bought a Hypro 7700 pump. It has a 50' spot sprayer, it works great. A little slow to wash out and the pressure guage could be it a better spot. But i like it. if you buy one look in the tank first, some of the parts are in it. I followed the directions and after going to the store to get parts.I found i already had them. the last it says is look in tank. there were the parts. Good luck

rambler · Feb 12, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My only question is HOW ACCURATE ARE CLUSTER NOZZLES? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif )</font>

Up here in MN we just don't see those cluster setups. I do not believe they are legal (on label) for the types of crop chemicals we spray. Might work for pasture land, but not accurate enough for grain crops. We gotta run when we can, I would assume the wind would often stop a cluster setup as well.

As to how much, generally on corn & beans one sprays 10-20 gallons of liquid per acre for good coverage. A 25 gallon tank would be pretty small for most use beyond the front yard?

--->Paul

BigMccorm · Feb 27, 2005

You could always use one of those 500+ gallon self-propelled sprayers. No need to worry about running out of liquid. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Indydirtfarmer · Feb 28, 2005

Just a few words of free advice. (That are worth every cent you paid for them /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

When you use Round-Up, or any generic glyphosate product, after washing out your sprayer, fill the pump with diesel fuel. Glyphosate is VERY corrosive, especially to cast iron. (It is a "salt") Some pumps are coated to protect them, but better safe than sorry..... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

2,4-D products will chemically "bond" with fiberglass and some plastic tanks. This could be nasty when you go to spray insecticide on your rose garden later in the summer. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Use a "tank wash" product to nuetralize the effects of the 2,4-D. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Most "economy grade" sprayers come with "standard" nozzle bodies. Tee-Jet makes nozzle bodies with a 10 PSI "no drip" check valve built in. They can be added to the existing nozzle body with relative ease. When you shut down the pump, and pressure drops below 10 PSI. the lines will not continue to drain. That may prevent dribbling round-up on your lawn.... /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

There are literally hundreds of "styles" of spray nozzles. They are all suited to specific spraying needs. Contact Tee-Jet for a product catalog. They explain the specific uses and advantages of certain nozzles. There are MANY new ones on the market in the last year. Most are in anticipation of spraying fungacides, due in part to the Asian Rust problem in soybeans. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

If you plan on spraying NON-RESTRICTED USE chemicals on your own property, you need no license. HOWEVER, If you wish to purchase RESTRICTED USE chemicals, or use them on property you DON'T own, and/or do spraying for hire, YOU MUST BE LICENSED AND CERTIFIED IN ALL STATES. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Failure to do so is punishable be fines up to $25,000 and/or 1 year in the slammer. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif THAT would ruin a typical summer.... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

The "core" exam, and specific use tests are fairly easy. In order to pass the Core test, you must learn all the dangers of spraying pesticides. You also learn how to achieve the desired goals of your spraying, with the best results and the least harm to your surroundings. It's a good thing to take the test even if you DON'T need to. (In Kentucky, the core test is $25, and each specific use exam is $10 more) /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

(A pesticide is ANYTHING that kills living organisms, be it herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, ect....)

There will come a time that you are required to be certified to spray most everything. Get a jump on the crowd....DO IT NOW> /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif