On sprayers

[gcp]

Can someone please provide suggestions on a more effective sprayer? I'd like to effectively spray my fruit trees, vines....Right now I am using a hand pump sprayer but it's wearing me out.

 

[wrooster]

Can someone please provide suggestions on a more effective sprayer? I'd like to effectively spray my fruit trees, vines....Right now I am using a hand pump sprayer but it's wearing me out.

Some questions...

You have a tractor?
How many trees do you have to spray?
How much solution do you need in one batch?
What type of solutions do you spray?

I have a FIMCO P/N LG-25-SM, which is a 25 gal 2.1gpm 12V spot sprayer. I transport/use it on my tractor carry-all, but you can get the equivalent sprayer on a tow-behind trailer or as an ATV attachment.

I am a homeowner and the sprayer works for what I need it for. I have used it for Glyphosate (Roundup) and Quinclorac/2,4-D/Dicamba (Weed-B-Gon MAX). In the spring I cook up 10-15 gallons of Gly and lay waste to all of the weeds popping up in the driveway, flower beds, tractor path, etc. In the summer I end up spot spraying WBG-M on areas of turfgrass that the crabgrass is coming on strong. If you have grapes or other to spray against disease or insects, that would work as well. CLEAN THE SPRAYER THOROUGHLY BETWEEN USES!!!

The sprayer is powered by 12Vdc from the tractor's lighter outlet; no problems with that setup. I have also put the sprayer in the back of my pickup truck, pulled the power cable through the back window into the cab, and gone weed killing at my parent'ss and sister's houses.

I used a couple of 2x4's to make a skid for the sprayer; they attach via the threaded fasteners that are molded into the bottom of the sprayer. I think they are 1/4"-20, but don't quote me on that.

A couple of suggestions --
1) Make sure you have someplace warm to store it during the winter; if you don't get every last drop out of the pump, and it freezes, you'll crack the housing or other. It is not easy to ascertain that you got all the water out. Otherwise if you are going to store it in an unheated shed, for example, you'll have to pump a quart or so of automotive antifreeze through it prior to the winter.

2) I found that adding a 25' extension to the supplied hose made spraying a lot less cumbersome -- fewer tractor moves, and so on. You can get bulk rubber sprayer hose and the barbed fittings from Tractor Supply or Agri Supply.

3) This model sprayer has a "recirculate/mix" setting; you fill the tank with water, dump in the herbicide, and turn a valve 90 degrees. The pump draws solution from the bottom of the tank and dispenses it back out at the top of the tank. The net result is that in a few minutes the herbicide is completely mixed with the water.

4) This model sprayer can also be converted for boom spraying. The same pump and manifold/valving apparatus is used on the Fimco boom models.

5) Keep in mind that 25gal of water weighs ~200lbs.

6) There are "tank cleaners/flushes" available which you run through the sprayer after rinsing with clear water.

Wrooster

 

[gcp]

wrooster, thank you for the info!

I have 2 tractors, an IH 60HP and a smaller 24HP Yanmar at my property.

I have 6 grapevines, 2 peach trees and 3 apple trees I'd like to spray against the Japanese beetle because last year they devastated them. Not too much to spray this year but I plan to plant a number of fruit trees, pears, peaches, plumbs and figs that's why I believe my hand pump will no longer suffice.

Your 12v sprayer will do the trick and in the past I've used, in limited quantities, sevin but after reading its negative ramifications I am not sure what to use that'll be more environmentally friendly and less harmful to my bees and me.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I have a similar setup (I have spray arms as well as the wand). A few notes.

I have the stronger motor version (I think it is a 3.5gpm) It sprays a tight stream from the wand maybe 20 feet max. I added hose when I bought it (I have 2 wands working now).

Fimco is OK. If I did this for a living I would not purchase the unit, but it does well for residential. As you are not looking for the spray bar version I won't do more than say it is moderate in quality and ability.

We have 20 fruit trees or so. We do not spray but we aren't too buggy here. Spraying is a decision you have to make for yourself. We felt that we are not selling the fruit, so if we have a 60% loss we still have a TON of apples and cherries for 2 people.

Spray only in the early AM or late at night when the winds are down. Evening is better for us do to dew in the AM.

The 12 volt motor does pull some amps. If you have a weak electrical system think twice.

I hope this helps a bit

Carl

 

[crbr]

Thanks for the pictures

 

[wrooster]

I have a similar setup (I have spray arms as well as the wand).

Carl,
What do you use for marking? Bulk dye, a soap bubble dispenser, or other?

Thanks,
Wrooster

 

[woodlandfarms]

Markings? Markings? I don't need no stinkin markings....

My spraying is not conventional and while markings would help, I am more spot spraying large areas than field spraying. The PT leaves a wide tire swath so I can tell where my tires have been.

99% of my spraying is crossbow, a chemical for black berry control. It isn't as precise as a lot of chemicals.

I have seen some very cool home made soap markers here on TBN. There are guys with some real inventive talent.

Carl

 

[gcp]

Today I am happy! One of the two apple trees I planted last week has flowered so we may get some of our own apples to eat this year. This ia a total of 3 apples trees I now have two of which did not flower but maybe next year. I am afraid I'll have to spray because North Alabama is pretty buggy and this year promises to be especially bad because we had a mild winter. But because I have four bee hives I'll wait until the blooms are off the apple tree before I spray it. My peaches are loaded with fruits, let's see how much I'll be able to harvest since I've been spraying.

I will go to Tractor Supply this morning to buy a 12V sprayer, don't know which brands they carry but I'll see. I'll probably get a 25 gallon version and additional hose, per your recommendation, to make things easier. I plan to temp mount it somehow on the FEL of my IH, I'll take pics of the set-up and post it.

Thanks again for all your invaluable help.

 

[woodlandfarms]

There are some healthy / Safe sprays that do not effect bees. Problem is that what makes a good bug spray is that you don't have to repeat often.

I can make suggestions but we probably are battling different insects. Do a web search or contact local ag or coop.

Don't be bummed if you don't get fruit this year. Our young trees flower but won't produce.

Carl

 

[tlbuser]

Don't be bummed if you don't get fruit this year. Our young trees flower but won't produce.

Carl

Or when the fruit disappears. Last year was to be the first for my 6 pear trees. Was very excited, but they must have been ripe the day before I checked. Nothing left but deer poo and hoof prints .Must have been good ones cause they took them all. Hoping I'll be quicker this year.