Liquid Vs dry weed control

[oldnslo]

Hi all,
starting to do some research on weed control methods for up to 2 1/2 acres of lawn pasture/hayfield.

Weeds of concern are:
Thistles, neighbors pasture is full of them and they are starting to spread to mine.

Cockle burrs / Bordock: So far these are limited to a couple of small areas that I hopefully dig out and burn.

Dandelions: Never ending problem.

other unknown species of broad leafs.

Is there a good dry weed killer or is liquid/spraying the only good alternative. I used a dry weed and feed combo this spring on the lawn with very poor results. Can just dry weed killer be purchased with the fertilizer?

Problem with sprying is the cost of the sprayer Vs amount of use. Cheapest thing on my equipment is the operator... Decent trailer type 15 -25 gallon sprayer with booms is $400 or more. Cheapie two nozzle are $250 - $300. Not sure how well these work.

All of the above use 12 VDC pumps which draw around 8 amps. Noy sure if that would be an issue with my JD 112 or the Kubota BX1850.

An alternative. Has anyone tried putting an ATV spray rig in their loader bucket. What problems would be associated with that?

Reaching controls?
Spray drift onto tractor and loader?

TIA

Roy

 

[tulenutn2o]

Hi all,
starting to do some research on weed control methods for up to 2 1/2 acres of lawn pasture/hayfield.

Weeds of concern are:
Thistles, neighbors pasture is full of them and they are starting to spread to mine.

Cockle burrs / Bordock: So far these are limited to a couple of small areas that I hopefully dig out and burn.

Dandelions: Never ending problem.

other unknown species of broad leafs.

Is there a good dry weed killer or is liquid/spraying the only good alternative. I used a dry weed and feed combo this spring on the lawn with very poor results. Can just dry weed killer be purchased with the fertilizer?

Problem with sprying is the cost of the sprayer Vs amount of use. Cheapest thing on my equipment is the operator... Decent trailer type 15 -25 gallon sprayer with booms is $400 or more. Cheapie two nozzle are $250 - $300. Not sure how well these work.

All of the above use 12 VDC pumps which draw around 8 amps. Noy sure if that would be an issue with my JD 112 or the Kubota BX1850.

An alternative. Has anyone tried putting an ATV spray rig in their loader bucket. What problems would be associated with that?

Reaching controls?
Spray drift onto tractor and loader?

TIA

Roy

I built my own sprayer a few years ago for my Ford1700. Cost was about $100 for materials. I built it to attach to 3 pt. using a 25 gal( I think) tank that I got from a car wash(soap comes in them). Bought a pump(12V) on close out at Central tractor, made the spray bar from pvc, and used nozzles on loan from my previous employer.12volt pumps work sufficently for this. Trial and error getting the right ground speed for the coverage desired. If I was to do it again, I would catch one on sale at TSC. Cost works out the same if you factor time and materials and electricity. Now I'm looking to get a more ag type setup for the gardens.

 

[J_J]

Even the so called dry weed killer has to get wet in order to dissolve and settle to the roots to be effective. The wet weed killer, can be sprayed so as to get the foliage wet and be absorbed into the plant. There are some tricks to get the weed killer to stick to the leaves/plant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant

 

[forester2]

I'd be leary of a boom on the loader bucket. Think about it- you're driving right into the spray. Inhalation could be a problem plus you are tracking what ever you sprayer into non target areas. The material cost saving of using a spray herbicide vs granualar for 2.5 acres would go a long way towards paying for a spray rig. A simple 2,4D application would solve most of your problems. Check Craigs list for used sprayers. For under a couple hundred bucks I'll bet your in business.

 

[J_J]

Could try one of these, on a 3ph carry all. Use a mask/breather.

NorthStar ATV Spot Sprayer — 16 Gallon, 2.2 GPM, 12 Volt | Broadcast + Spot Sprayers | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[smstonypoint]

I'd be leary of a boom on the loader bucket. Think about it- you're driving right into the spray. Inhalation could be a problem plus you are tracking what ever you sprayer into non target areas. The material cost saving of using a spray herbicide vs granualar for 2.5 acres would go a long way towards paying for a spray rig. A simple 2,4D application would solve most of your problems. Check Craigs list for used sprayers. For under a couple hundred bucks I'll bet your in business.

I agree with forester2. TSC has a 12v, 4 amp 15 gallon sprayer with a 1 gallon/minute flow rate for about $100. You can find 2.5 gallons of 2-4D for less that $50.

Steve

 

[oldnslo]

thanks guys, we don't have any TSC stores in this area. I have looked an Blain's Farm & Fleet and they carry Fimco brand sprayers which seem to have a good reputation.

Like most times, trying to be cheap ends up costing more. Will keep my eyes on craigslist for either 3PH or pull type sprayer.

Roy