Backpack Sprayers

/ Backpack Sprayers #1  

hunterridgefarm

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2005
Messages
2,131
Location
Western NC
Tractor
Kubota L3130DT, Kubota L185DT, JD LX277
I currently have two backpack sprayers. One I use for roundup when I don't need to use the 15gal sprayer. It is a Round-Up brand and is okay but I don't want another one of these. I have had to replace the wand a couple of times and it when I release the hand control it does not shut off completely but takes a second or two to stop the flow. That is not bad when spraying weeds but when spraying around flowers and such...well let just say my wife does not like it when I kill some of her flowers:D

The other backpack sprayer is a re-badged Scotts or something. It works good but the strap broke the first year. I tied it back and it still works good but I don't want another one like this. I spray insecticide for the veggies in this one.

I bought a TSC brand backpack sprayer last week. I need one for organic only insecticides and fungicides. I was impressed with the way it was built, the back was padded, straps were strong, and it was comfortable. The problem was it leaked where the hose connects to the tank. I would need to remove the back panel to fix it. I would have done this but it came with 4 spray nozzles and none were adjustable. I need the adjustable nozzle.

I took it back to TSC and got my money back.

Does anyone use a Chapman Sprayer? I may just go with Solo. What type of backpack sprayer do you use or would recommend?

Thanks
David
 
/ Backpack Sprayers #2  
Have had a Chapin for several years and it is very well made,don't think you'd be disappointed.
 
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/ Backpack Sprayers #4  
I've used a Solo in the past that worked pretty good, but currently have two of the Stihl backpack sprayers and really like them. It takes a lot less pumps to pressurize the Stihls
 
/ Backpack Sprayers #6  
I have a Solo (diaphragm type). Has worked perfectly and been very dependable for many years now.

- Jay
 
/ Backpack Sprayers #7  
Have had a Chapin for several years and it is very well made,don't think you'd be disappointed.

I second this observation. I have had mine 3 years now and it works perfectly.

MoKelly


3x - i have a stanley 61804 (made by chapin) and it's been great. i've owned it 5 yrs. and this year i'll have to replace the seal for the tank cap as it dry-rotted but the unit has been otherwise excellent!
 
/ Backpack Sprayers #8  
I've got a Field King 4 gallon sprayer that I bought >20 years ago. I've replaced parts along the way. Still in use.
 
/ Backpack Sprayers #10  
I have a Solo (diaphragm type). Has worked perfectly and been very dependable for many years now.

- Jay

Same here. I can't even guess how many years ago I bought it. Only problem I had was losing part of the spray nozzle when cleaning it. Repair pack to get the missing part was quite high priced considering.

Harry K
 
/ Backpack Sprayers #11  
I have the solo, its about 6 years old now. I was pumping up one of the cheap ones and the pump handle broke off. I use pump armor on it every winter. I have a small 1 gallon tsc special for spraying folar ferts, but the back pack one is 5 gallons. I need to spray in our CREP area.
 
/ Backpack Sprayers #12  
I have a Solo (diaphragm type). Has worked perfectly and been very dependable for many years now.

- Jay
+1 Dealer noted this model seemed to have less problems with granular (Quikpro). Three years later, it's still working well.
 
/ Backpack Sprayers #13  
+1 on the Solo diaphragm sprayer. Mine's four years old, gets a lot of use in the spring and pretty much sits empty the rest of the year. It's a weed control machine for spraying Roundup and brush-b-gone generics. I make sure it really is empty, wand and all, before it gets put away. The straps could have a little more padding on them, but other than a little dirt and dust on the outside, this one looks and works like new. They cost a little more than the TSC brand, and a LOT more than what you'd get at Harbor Freight. In return you get a tool that works without fuss when you need it. That's more than worth it to me.
 
/ Backpack Sprayers #14  
I bought a Stihl about 4 or more years ago and have been very pleased with it. 1st backpack sprayer i've owned so I don't have anything else to compare it to but would definitely recommend it. Forget the model but it is a 4 gallon if I remember correctly.
 
/ Backpack Sprayers #15  
I'm cheap, I bought the Harbor Freight 4 gallon backpack sprayer. Its sometimes $20 on sale; I've seen $17.99. Maybe less if you can apply a 20% coupon.

The quality seems better than a lot of HF stuff. So far as I can see this is the equal of sprayers costing far more at Home Depot etc. No complaint at all on quality.

I added Tractor Supply's stainless wand with spray tip, for double the reach without getting off the tractor. I think the TSC wand has a better spray pattern, fully adjustable from fog to long range stream.

There's a disadvantage to this lever-pump type of sprayer vs the pressurized-tank type of 2-gallon sprayer which has a plunger on top: after pumping this backpack sprayer's handle it will only spray for a few seconds before it needs pumping again. The piston area holding pressure is tiny. With the pressurized-tank type, the one with a plunger on top, you pressurize the whole tank so you have spray pressure for far longer before it needs pumping again. I prefer that type for smaller projects.

image_23856.jpg


Edit: Here's AgriSupply's $40 model. Look familiar?
69028.jpg
 
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/ Backpack Sprayers #16  
<SNIP>There's a disadvantage to this lever-pump type of sprayer vs the pressurized-tank type of 2-gallon sprayer which has a plunger on top: after pumping this backpack sprayer's handle it will only spray for a few seconds before it needs pumping again. The piston area holding pressure is tiny. With the pressurized-tank type, the one with a plunger on top, you pressurize the whole tank so you have spray pressure for far longer before it needs pumping again. I prefer that type for smaller projects.

I buy tools at HF as well, but only if the reviews are good. I haven't checked them for the HF sprayer, but it sounds like the catch might be the constant pumping. The Solo I've been using for the past several years will last several minutes before it needs a few strokes on the lever. If the pumping gets to be too much I switch to a 15 gallon FIMCO tank sprayer I purchased at Tractor Supply. That one mounts on an RTV900 Kubota and runs off the battery :D
 
 
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