Sprayer How to convert spot sprayer to boom/boomless sprayer

[perryjosh64]

Folks I currently have a 50 gal spot sprayer w/wand we use to spray fence lines with RoundUp and help with control burns. The pump on it is a HighFlo 3.8GPM/ 45 PSI pump. I have 2 pastures, both about 3 acres that I need to spray some 2,4-D or Remedy Ultra weed killer. My question is can I convert this sprayer to a 2-3 nozzle sprayer? It is not a 3 point hitch sprayer but will be mounted on a rear 3PT pallet lift on tractor.

 

[boggen]

plumbing is going to be costly, tips, hoses, pipeing, fittings. will run up fairly fast.

TIP: a chunk of 2x4, cut a V notch in it. + drill press + a couple clamps = a way to drill a variety of size pipes. this would be more for thicker walled pipe and screwing in some spray tips.

barb fittings + hose + misc other fittings more likely cheaper alternative.

you want a way to adjust the boom height from ground level.

spray tip nozzles for booms, pay for the little more expensive tips that have a "little valve adjustment" on them, and some sort of #2 pencil size filter in them. granted it is not that many acres, but when tips plug up you will be whining about it for some time trying to get them unplugged. and the little valve on them most likely needed, as in you will get one really putting out, and maybe another barely putting anything out. the valves are a needed requirement.

2x4 most likely easiest thing to mess with, as far as drilling and/or attaching some clips to hold hoses and spray tip nozzles. you do not need a metal boom pieces.

your spray tips require a certain amount of GPM to work correctly. and will more than likely determine how many spray tips you end up using.

if ya not to experienced with misting and spraying, you can create a lot of un-necessary misting that just blows away. the spray nozzles with exchangeable tips can be a bit costly. but the different type of tips can be fairly cheap.

for most part everything going to end up being cheap plastic.

 

[teg]

What is your pump like now? Electric pump or gas engine? I assume it's one of the small electric pumps...

Plumbing for a sprayer with an electric pump is a bit easier than a PTO or engine pump. When the electric pump gets to max pressure, it shuts off.

For a gas engine plumbing, you can google for diagrams... You need the bypasses and pressure release returns to the tank. If it builds more pressure than the system can handle, without a bypass, a hose will be the relief!!!

Do you want to keep the spray wand and add the ability for a boom? I mounted an on/off switch on my fender. You can go cheap, but you'll pay for it later on...

 

[perryjosh64]

Yes it is electric/12V pump. I'll be keeping the wand sprayer but will probably use same size tubing and just connect it as needed. The boom will not be attached all the time.

 

[teg]

...more thoughts... "T" into the wand hose, put in a cutoff valve (manual) which can be used as a quick connect so you can remove the boom.

Next you could put in a pressure regulator (just in case you want to adjust how much pressure you get at the nozzles).

If it builds too much pressure, it will just cut off but it may cycle on / off to have a good spray pattern.

Pressure regulator has 3 outlets, In, pressure out, and a return to the tank.

Finally, the boom with nozzles and hoses... For 2, 4d, you'll want larger droplets so it doesn't mist and drift, so you'll most likely need the regulator so you can reduce the pressure (larger droplets).

 

[crackerjack222]

I just last week added a boomless nozzle to my spray rig. I have about the same pump as the OP and have it mounted on a "pallet" that sits in the bed of my Kawasaki Mule. The pallet provides mounting for two 30 gallon barrels that are manifolded together and ratchet-strapped down. It has a plywood platform about 12" deep where I have the pump, filter, gauge and a valve manifold. I have used it with a wand for the last year. Last week I bolted a vertical piece of angle to the the rear of the pallet, that is where I mounted the boomless nozzle. The angle extends high enough that I have height flexibility in attaching the nozzle. I ran the hose for the nozzles to just behind the seat so I can turn it on or off while driving. I used it last week to spray 2-4-D on a grass pasture. Worked as planned.
The weak link is the two barrels. I have to use a funnel to put the chemicals in them since they are horizontal. A single larger top-fill, bottom drain tank is probably in the future. The pallet has a three-point chain harness that I use with my fel to load/unload it to the Mule.