Roller pump durability for sprayer

[bkuhn2009]

I spray about 10 acres once or twice a year and right now I am using a 25 gallon electric pump sprayer (mounted to a pallet which I just put behind the tractor). However it seems like every year when it's time to spray I find something wrong with the sprayer, usually a bad pump. I think a big part of the problem is that I'm not using it regularly enough and it sits for most of the year, but that's the need I have.

I've been considering upgrading to a real 3 point mounted sprayer with a pto driven roller pump, but I'm wondering if a roller pump will suffer from similar problems when not being used but once or twice a year. Any thoughts on how durable these are and if they will deteriorate as quickly when sitting most of the year and not being used (e.g. seals, etc)?

I'd hate to "upgrade" only to find out that I'm still dealing with a setup that is not working when the time of year comes that I need it.

Thanks in advance for your opinions!
Brad

 

[JimRB]

Are you totally draining the pump by removing hoses and running pump a few seconds, then oiling the pump. My PTO pump prefers that maintenancerather than being set up wet and rusting.

 

[jenkinsph]

Jim is right on about the maintenance for the pump, you should rinse it and add some cheap cooking oil for storage. Roller pumps will last a long time if the maintenance is done each time you put it away. An important consideration with roller pumps is that these can develop higher pressure around 300 psi for better atomization if you use that type nozzles. Spraying a fine mist requires high pressure where as you can get by with 50 psi to squirt a stream. So what pump is best depends on the type spraying jobs you have.

 

[rgr33]

I have. Delevan 6 roller pump that is almost 30 years old. Still works well,I do as suggested and rinse and fill with anti freeze or oil after use. I rebuilt it once several years ago, and it was easy to do. Much better pump for sparing pastures than 12 volt electric, but more work to set up and get going.

 

[kennyd]

I fill/store my pump with diesel fuel after I use it.

 

[the old grind]

I bought & use Graco's 'Pump Armor' Magnum storage juice from Home Depot for my airless sprayer. It appears to be a water/oil emulsion that honestly reminds me of cutting/grinding fluids we use in machining. Claims to be freeze proof to -30^ F or something when used 'full-strength" and rinses out easily with mildly soapy water.

The stuff works fine to store my HFT electric pressure washer, and Fimco 15 gal sprayer too, the former not used every year. Don't remember the cost, and one bottle has lasted for years. No harm to diaphragms that I can tell, no sign of corrosion, and barn storage thru' MI winters has been without issue.