Buying a new 3PT Sprayer-Help

Barneyhunts · Jul 3, 2008

I should have added that I use it on the Kubota B7800 and not the Bx2200.

Cottonhawk · Jul 4, 2008

I have a Hardi.
Check them out Hardi North America - Spraying with HARDI Sprayers - Products.

mjncad · Jul 4, 2008

I have the FIMCO/Schaben 55-gallon 3-point sprayer listed in one of the links. I have a love/hate relationship with it. I have no problem with the overall construction of the unit; but it could use more features to make it less of a hassle to use. Of course features cost money.

1. I've made mine quick hitch compatible, which is the biggest modification to date.

2. I set up each boom section to be controlled by an individual ball valve.

3. I added tennis balls hanging from a rope at the end of each boom section to set height.

4. I put a jumper on my PTO "Lawyer Switch" so I could hop on and off the tractor with the PTO running and not worry about the engine being shut off.

5. I put a 100-PSI liquid filled gauge on it in place of the 400-PSI dry gauge that came with it. With all the vibration, the dry gauge is worthless.

6. Cam-Lock quick connections between the pump and fitting were added for convenience.

I wrecked the handgun on the first use when I was backing up, and the hose somehow came undone from the from the hose rack. The hose got caught under the rear tire, and before the hose broke, it wrecked the white plastic tee that the handgun is fed from, bent the hose rack where it's welded to the tubular upright, and bent the handgun barrel. All I needed was a new barrel; but those aren't available...you have to buy the whole gun.

Future modifications include:

1. A cheap Chinese knockoff of a Reelcraft self rewinding hose reel with 50' of hose. Swivel connections will be at the handgun/hose interface so I don't have to do the handgun do-si-do to rewind the handgun hose as I do now. I bought the Northern hose reel for $50 so if the nasty chemicals wreck it, no great loss.

2. Electric valves to control the master and boom section valves. With the quick-hitch adapter, it's a long reach to get to the main shutoff valve. I use a piece of heavy wire to extend the handle a bit. Also, hopping on and off the tractor to turn on or off a boom section got old quick. This will be the expensive modification.

3. Move the filter screen housing outboard where it's easy to see and get to.

4. Put a dump bypass line to make emptying the tank faster when cleaning it out. Currently it has to go through the filter screen which slows the draining process.

All of these sprayer regardless of brand come with plastic pipe fittings to reduce chemical attack; but NPT threads on plastic fittings are evil. The plastic is too slippery to get a good friction fit, and one extra 1/4 turn to many will break the female threaded portion of the fitting very quickly. If you add metal pipe fittings, use brass, stainless steel, or plain unplated steel to minimize the chance of chemicals eating at the galvanizing and getting into the rest of the sprayers machinery. NuFarm's Pro-Deuce weed killer even states very clearly not to use galvanized steel containers for their product.

The Tee-Jet nozzles work A-OK and I have no issues with them.

I like FIMCO for their customer service. Anytime I've called for parts or other information, the telephone is answered by a person instead of an automated phone system.

I got my sprayer and pump from Gempler's, and like FIMCO, they have humans answer the phone.

Bottom line...I should have made my own; but I was in the same boat as Eddie and didn't know enough to construct one.

I'll post pictures once I get my new PC up and running.

rambler · Jul 4, 2008

I got a Demco - 100 gallon - in the early 90's. Has covered several 100 acres a year with no problems.

--->Paul

Oleozz · Jul 4, 2008

I have a Crop Care (formerly PD Zimmerman) 110 gal with the 30 ft booms. Does an excellent job, have the electric sprayer controls so I can regulate the different booms and pressure from inside the cab. I bought mine used so saved some money but it was only three years old when I got it.
I am hoping that I can afford an EZ Guide 250 in the near future for better spray coverage, I'm wasting to much spray and also missing some spots.

Farmwithjunk · Jul 4, 2008

I've got a couple different sprayers. One is a Hardi that I spent near $2000 on. The other is a FIMCO from TSC. I upgraded a few items on it as soon as I got it home. Total investment around $1000. With those additional improvments, the FIMCO is every bit as capable as the much more expensive HARDI sprayer and at a much lower cost. Too bad they aren't a top shelf product straight out of the box, but with the much lower initial cost, some issues are to be expected.

dooger54 · Jul 4, 2008

I have the Fimco 60 gallon 3 pt. Other than normal wear and tear, it has worked fine. As someone already mentioned, plastic fittings are pretty much standard given the chemicals that are used. I have had to replace a few parts and there customer service is great. Always a human to talk to and never a problem getting the part I need. I would recommend them.

flusher · Jul 4, 2008

Farmwithjunk said:
I've got a couple different sprayers. One is a Hardi that I spent near $2000 on. The other is a FIMCO from TSC. I upgraded a few items on it as soon as I got it home. Total investment around $1000. With those additional improvments, the FIMCO is every bit as capable as the much more expensive HARDI sprayer and at a much lower cost. Too bad they aren't a top shelf product straight out of the box, but with the much lower initial cost, some issues are to be expected.

Does your FIMCO use a pto-drive pump? If so, I guess that there's some type of bracket to mount the pump on the tractor. What pto rpm is needed to operate the sprayer?

Farmwithjunk · Jul 4, 2008

flusher said:
Does your FIMCO use a pto-drive pump? If so, I guess that there's some type of bracket to mount the pump on the tractor. What pto rpm is needed to operate the sprayer?

It uses the standard fare pto pump that just about all 3-point sprayers use. I have a Hypro 6 roller pump on this one. It works with 540 rpm, but to achieve adaquate working pressure, you can get by with quite a bit less rpms. I generally spray at or near 50psi. that's possible at pto rpms around half of the 540 mark. Ground speed is important in the proper distribution rate. Rpms can be adjusted to coincide with gear selection to get correct ground speed.