Buying a new 3PT Sprayer-Help

sunspot · Jul 1, 2008

Hi All.
I'm looking to buy a new 3pt sprayer w/boom and handgun. I've been on the web doing searches and I've looked at previous posts on TBN.

A few months ago, I was at a TSC store and looked over the sprayers they had in stock. They were all Fimco and each and every one of them had some plastic piece broken, mostly valves. I was not impressed to say the least.

The brands I found were Cimarron, Competitor, AgSpray and I looked at Fimco.
Prices ranged from $850 to $980 FOB. I found a Fimco at Agri-supply for $763 Shipped.
I also looked at CropCare and they were $1,100 FOB.

Any opinions? Brag on your sprayer if you want to. BTW, building my own is out of the question at this time.

Cimarron Beaver Valley Supply Company - Cimarron Three Point Sprayers

Competitor from Moderm Ag. Dragon Products I'm leaning a bit towards this one. All galvanized metal. $851 plus shipping from TX to AL.

AgSpray. 55 Horizontal Sprayers

Fimco. 55 GAL 3PT. SPRAYER - Agri Supply

CropCare. 3PT Agriculture Field Sprayers - 55 Gallon 3pt Sprayers from CropCare Equipment

Slade · Jul 1, 2008

I'm getting the Crop Care 55 gal. sprayer, has all the features I want at a reasonable price.

sunspot · Jul 2, 2008

Slade,
I liked the CropCare also but SWMBO freaked a bit on the price. May I ask you what you are getting and the price? What drew you to the CropCare?

EddieWalker · Jul 2, 2008

I've been all over the board on what to buy. I thought about building one, but don't know enough about them to know which would be the good stuff to buy versus junk, and when pricing it all out, it was cheaper to buy already built ones. The 55 gallon tanks seem to be about the right size for what I want to do, which is weed control in my grass once or twice a year.

I'm disapointed that you saw so many problems with the Fimco. That was the one I was leaning towards. I'm still working on a few acres of dirt work, so there's no rush to buy a sprayer just until that's done, but figuring out what to buy has been a challenge.

I still might go with the Fimco due to my limited need and usage. Keep us updated on your seach and how it works for you. I'm not against spending more money if there is a need for it, or I get a better quality product, but hate spending top dollar on something that is rarely used.

Eddie

Ford850 · Jul 2, 2008

I have a smaller Fimco 12v sprayer. It's a 25 gallon with boom and hand sprayer. It's made for a ATV but I got it to make it semi portable between a small trailer for lawn work and a carryall on my tractor for field work. I use it quite a few times per year and have had minor issues with quality. Fimco was great about replacing a pump diaphram and the wand for free, and they also sell parts direct if they can't warranty them. Keep in mind these manufacturers are only building the frame and boom, and assembling the rest of the parts from other makers. You can always swap out broken or worn parts with whatever you have available locally too.

sunspot · Jul 2, 2008

Eddie, are there any other brands that you looked at? I saw the AgSpray through a fence last week. There were no flaws that I could spot.
It was disappointing to the sad shape of the Fimco sprayers. I did include them in my links because they are the price leader but I don't want to be replacing any parts at least in the first few years on ownership.

In my TBN searching, I did find that the CropCare did get high praise but at least half was from the same member who lives in the dealers area.

Almost all the sprayers I found had the same Hypro CM6500C pump and most had TeeJet spray tips.

I do like that the Dragon/ModernAG sprayer is hot dip galvanized, even the boom. It looks like all the Dragon mowers are also hot dipped.

lawn_king · Jul 2, 2008

I have been using demco sprayers with hypro pto pumps for years. They are not cheap but they last for years and hold up to commercial use.

OrangeGuy · Jul 2, 2008

I purchase a Fimco 3 Pt sprayer several years ago. It has performed flawlessly. I believe the pump (Hypro), valves, hoses, nozzles, etc are pretty much standard.

OrangeGuy

sunspot · Jul 3, 2008

I looked at the Demco site. The sprayers do look nice. They have a 60 gallon insted of 55. A bit pricy, as you said, at $1,269.

OG, if I had not seen the Fimco's at TSC, I most likely would of ordered one from Agri-Supply.

Barneyhunts · Jul 3, 2008

I've used the Fimco 55 gal. boom sprayer (with handgun) and have had no problem with it. It was easy to set up (assemble) and use. Mine is the 3 pt. model with 10' foldable boom. I purchased the entire set up from Agri Supply and was pleased with their shipping time. I'd buy another one. My use is limited to food plots ... about 2 acres of spraying...and herbicides.