Backpack sprayer/fogger?

[ponytug]

These backpack sprayers are basically a backpack blower + tank + metering device, so similar in concept.


From what I can tell, all three units (200, 430, 450) require the extra pump for higher angles - this is found on all three product pages:
"The pressure pump kit is recommended for applications in which the spray tube is held at an upward angle of more than 30 degrees in order to maintain a consistent discharge rate."

Given that my trees are pretty short, I can be well within the maximum spray range of even the small unit (SR 200 - 29.5' max range) and the top of the tree is below 30° inclination, so I suspect they'd all manage similarly; the bigger units would likely be used at less than wide open throttle.


We also tried the 25 gallon type (20 gallon I think) but it's pretty clear from reviews everywhere that all of the smaller units are pretty iffy on quality and our experience was similar; looking for a decent one was where I encountered the backpack sprayers, and everything indicates that they use less product and get a better coverage, more quickly - the time being pretty key for me as like everyone I've too much to do already.

We have had a northern tool 25 gallon sprayer for a long time. I forget if it came with a 100' hose, or I put one on, but it has no trouble spraying with good coverage 15' in the air. I haven't done a side by side with a fogger, but my suspicion is the fogger gets the undersides better with less waste.

I'd try the neem oil first. It wasn't very effective here, but IIRC, I was just trying to cut down some aphids.

All the best,

Peter

 

[BnRidge]

We also tried the 25 gallon type (20 gallon I think) but it's pretty clear from reviews everywhere that all of the smaller units are pretty iffy on quality

I went about looking at back pack sprayers also, as well as ATV broadcast sprayers. Just an FYI, if looking at Fimco 25gallon tank sprayers, they make consumer grade models under the Fimco name, and agricultural/commercial models under the Agspray name. The Fimco's are cheaply made. "pretty iffy on quality" would be my experience as well. Mine lasted a very short time before things started to fail. However the Agspray model I have now I would recommend. Robust and well designed unit:

25 GALLON PLATINUM SPOT SPRAYER 2.2 GPM PRO HANDGUN

The Ag Spray 25 GALLON PLATINUM SPOT SPRAYER with 2.2 GPM PUMP and Pro Series Handgun is widely used to quickly apply herbicides, pesticides, fertiliz...

www.agspray.com

 

[ning]

A local fellow invited me to check out his sprayer. He's got the Stihl SR450, but he regularly uses the SR200 as well at his job on a (legal) cannabis farm.

It seemed to me that the amount of "stuff" (there was only water in the tank today for demonstrating) had any problem being blasted into the air flow with the arm pointed up pretty high.

He said for what I'm going to use it for the SR200 would be more than enough, though if you want to dust with diatomaceous earth you do need the bigger unit which allows you to run powder through it.

so basically

SR200 $480, empty weight 19#, blows ~30', 1hp, 2.1 gal container
SR450 $800, empty weight 28#, blows ~48', 4hp, 3.7 gal container

With less than a gallon of water in the SR450, the pack didn't seem killer heavy; I've worn 50-pound backpacks on longer hikes before and the majority of my trees are on flat land, so I'm not too concerned about the weight... and my wife would probably complain about the weight with the smaller unit anyways.

unless I convince myself that I'd like to dust with diatomaceous earth, I'm pretty sure I'll get the SR200.

 

[Carl_NH]

I have my SR450 on a platform behind the seat on my Cub Cadet 1811 and spray 5-6 acres for mosquitoes. The fully loaded sprayer is 60Lbs - more than I want to carry over this area every two weeks, When I was 50-55 no problem, but at almost 70 it gets heavy fast.

For treating 20 or so trees/shrubs with 2 gal the SR400 on the backpack is easy. as you need to move a lot more to get the coverage on the trees and shrubs.

Sounds like the SR200 will do what you want - good you were able to test drive before buying!

 

[ning]

I have my SR450 on a platform behind the seat on my Cub Cadet 1811 and spray 5-6 acres for mosquitoes. The fully loaded sprayer is 60Lbs - more than I want to carry over this area every two weeks, When I was 50-55 no problem, but at almost 70 it gets heavy fast.

For treating 20 or so trees/shrubs with 2 gal the SR400 on the backpack is easy. as you need to move a lot more to get the coverage on the trees and shrubs.

Sounds like the SR200 will do what you want - good you were able to test drive before buying!

I was considering if something could be rigged up to use our mower like that. Considering there's currently no seat on it (just the flat metal base that the old seat was on before it got terribly cracked and water logged) I guess setting up a little rack would be easy and it would be in the same position as on a back.

But, as you mentioned having to move around a lot would be a pain on the mower...

(I've considered getting a new seat but they appear to be about $100 or more and the mower is over 15 years old and I just know that if I spend money on a seat the mower's going to die spectacularly causing that to be a waste of money... but then driving it on our bumpy land is nasty ow ow ow)