PT Ultimate Tank Sprayer!

smartguyz · Apr 25, 2004

TBN friends,

I think you'll enjoy this. My property has several areas of steep grades - my 25 gallon tow-behind sprayer really doesn't work well with the PT in stock configuration, and the JD318 really can't get to a number of areas on the property. So, what's the solution?

Create a PT front-mount tank sprayer! After a couple of hours in the wood shop with my buddy Roger, and a trip to the electronics store for cable holders and 16 gauge stranded parallel wire, here's the result!

This sprayer can go anywhere, can be lifted 60" (actually, a bit higher because of the forks), can be switched on and off from the seat, and the best part - I can sit in the PT under the canopy, hold the spray wand, and zap weeds!

Check it out!

-Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

pajoube · Apr 25, 2004

Very nice, looks like something I can use. Keep us posted on the good and bad.
PJ

blackwell · Apr 25, 2004

Good job. The forks make a strong platform to adapt.
We made a similar unit except hydraulic driven.

Keep up the good work!
EB

Bob_Skurka · Apr 25, 2004

Just be careful when you are spraying with the outriggers because you are driving into your spray. At least make sure you keep the unit low when you spray, especially if there is any wind at all. And consider wearing a respirator if you use pesticides/herbicides.

smartguyz · Apr 25, 2004

( Just be careful when you are spraying with the outriggers because you are driving into your spray. At least make sure you keep the unit low when you spray, especially if there is any wind at all. And consider wearing a respirator if you use pesticides/herbicides.

)

That's a good point, Bob. So far, I have mostly been using the spot wand, which can actually cover a lot of ground. I have also found that the PT is pretty easy to back up, so in several areas, I simply position the outriggers where they need to be, and back up, spraying as I go. It works fine.

There are a couple of really hard-to-reach places on the property that need herbicide, so I twist and turn and get the tank as far in as I can, and then usually shut down the PT, hop off and use the spot wand to blast away. It has worked like a charm - no problems at all. The nice thing about my project is that it is completely reversible - I can convert back to tow-behind at any point. It wouldn't take long.

I look forward to using this with the trees on the property - you can see some of them in the background - I think this will really make the tree care a whole lot easier. With one day of spraying under my belt, I am so-far convinced of the significant additional utility of the sprayer in this new configuration!

Thanks for the feedback and tips.

Sincerely,

Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bob_Skurka · Apr 25, 2004

Just out of curiosity, did you consider mounting the sprayer on a frame above the engine?

I just got a Ventrac 3000 which is designed similar to the PT units and figure that the front implement mount is perfect for MOST things, but not for everything. I figured a sprayer would be ideal mounted over the engine housing. I also think a tool carrier/tote would be ideal mounted behind the driver as well.

Any thoughts?

smartguyz · Apr 25, 2004

( Just out of curiosity, did you consider mounting the sprayer on a frame above the engine?

Any thoughts?

)

Hi Bob,

Intriguing idea - Actually no, I never considered it. The reason I never considered it is that the PT

, is a bit large 'out back', and my concern was that mounting it on top of the engine would be unwieldy - e.g. opening the engine bay requires lifting the engine cover, and anything mounted on top would interfere with this procedure. Don't get me wrong - the engine cover is plenty strong enough to take a few hundred pounds of weight, but putting a frame and a sprayer tank would not be my first choice (unless I am misunderstanding you).

I thought about just towing the tow-behind sprayer, as this is what it is designed to do, but in the areas where I have steep hills, or need to do some tricky backwards/forwards/articulating maneuvers, I knew that the tow-behind idea wouldn't work. The only thing I did think of was to mount it to a frame on the back of the PT. This is still something I would consider.

I know that some ATV sprayers can be adapted to hang off a 2" square receiver - here's an example of an ATV sprayer.

However, I already had the sprayer, and I had the forks, and I didn't mind driving in reverse for much of the spraying, so I thought of this project!

So far, it's working like a champ!

Sincerely,

Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bob_Skurka · Apr 26, 2004

Rob . . . not to belabor the point, but I guess I was thinking that the top of the engine cover is simply an "out of the way place" that could be utilized for something. My engine cover on my Ventrac is considerably smaller and lower, which would make it easier to put something on top of. But I figured a light weight support frame (maybe 1" by 1" angle iron) would hold a carry all, or sprayer, or something a couple inches over the top of the engine cover. By leaving some clearance between the engine cover and the "whatever is built up there" would keep air circulating around the engine. The frame, if designed to attach with some implement pins, would be easy to remove when not needed. In the case of a sprayer, the hoses could be run up front and the boom poles mounted up front, or they could be left in the back and mounted off the rear. Either way would work. But mounting off the rear would allow you to mow or use some other front implement while you had the sprayer attached?

Like I said, just a thought.

Scott_F · Apr 26, 2004

Rob,
How did you make the electrical connection. I've been thinking of doing the same type thing with a 2" hitch receiver mounted broadcast spreader

Scott

smartguyz · Apr 26, 2004

( Rob,
How did you make the electrical connection. I've been thinking of doing the same type thing with a 2" hitch receiver mounted broadcast spreader
Scott )

Hi Scott -

Wow - that 55 gallon drum looks pretty heavy-duty!

I made the connection using 16 ga, stranded parallel wire - you can usually find this kind of stuff at either auto parts stores or electrical places at Home Depot. Even Radio Shack has it. I wired it to the battery of the PT using ring connectors, with the positive end hooked to an inline fuse, and then running it all the way to the front using cable holders (got those at Radio Shack). If you look closely, you'll see the red and black wires running from the engine bay, up to the canopy, and then down to the lift arms. I simply left plenty of slack in, and with the cable ties keeping everything in place, it was easy. Oh - there is an inline switch as well. I put a couple of quick-disconnect connectors in place so I can disassemble in a hurry.

Sincerely,

Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif