Spreader or sprayer?

[MasseyFerg231]

Looks like I will start doing my own lawn fertilizer/herbicide treatments from now own. I’ve got about 2.5 acres of grass. I’ve looked at some pros / cons of sprayers and spreaders.

I have an older 25 gallon pull behind spray, but it needs new pump, etc. About $150-$170 worth of parts to rebuild, about $300 for a new one. Prices I am seeing on spreaders are about the same if not more.

I’m leaning towards spreader then using 2gallon sprayer for any spot treatments. Any thoughts/comments about which route to go?

 

[sea2summit]

Using it with a tractor or SxS? 2.5 acres is fairly easy to do, a hand pushed spreader might be able to do it as fast as a tractor because you won't be messing with a bunch of cleanup after. I do prefer spot spray of herbicides whenever possible, I'm no tree huger but I love my woods and that stuff doesn't need to be applied anymore than required to accomplish what you need specifically to accomplish IMHO.

 

[RjCorazza]

For fertilizer I use a 3 point broadcast spreader. I used to use it for herbicide application, but it was significantly cheaper to switch over to a sprayer. I use a 25 gallon sprayer in my bucket, and attached a fabricated 6' boom bolted to the loader.

 

[old and tired]

Buy cows or goats to get rid of the grass.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

I have never needed herbicide in the grass. Maybe I’m lucky or just not as worried about “weeds.” Healthy grass that’s not mowed too short will generally outcompete weeds.

 

[sea2summit]

Buy cows or goats to get rid of the grass.

Goats aren’t grazers.

 

[MasseyFerg231]

Would use either zero turn or 4 wheeler. Possibly by foot powered if spreading.
Would be mainly for fertilizer / and crabgrass a couple times a year.

 

[lman]

Buy cows or goats to get rid of the grass.

They fertilize it also.

 

[Spike56]

A tough question for me also !
" I’m leaning towards spreader then using 2gallon sprayer for any spot treatments".
This is exactly what I did (and 2.5 acre yard also). In my case I ended up with a close-out craftsman spreader. Only holds about 40lbs, but I have an old Gator to pull it with. So, I can keep other bags in the back of the Gator and re-fill on the spot. Otherwise, this spreader would be too small - too many trips back and forth to re-fill. I have used the spreader with my Z-turn also.
I use a backpack sprayer for spot, even broadcast (sort of) areas. I went with a Field King backpack. It has mixing flappers, so I can use powders also keeps liquids mixed up - a problem (minor) with a regular backpack.
I do have a 25 gallon sprayer also, but I never use it except for major spot spraying. Why ? Here in Central Texas, WIND WIND and more WIND. By the time of the year the wind is not screaming, the weeds are getting too mature - you of course, want to get them while they are young. These battery powered tank sprayers are a PITA. The pumps will fail and are $$ to justify replacing - IMHO.

So, my only real recommendation is ( I do not know what 2 gallon sprayer you were looking at) to get a backpack sprayer !

Good Luck !

 

[jyoutz]

For fertilizer I use a 3 point broadcast spreader. I used to use it for herbicide application, but it was significantly cheaper to switch over to a sprayer. I use a 25 gallon sprayer in my bucket, and attached a fabricated 6' boom bolted to the loader.

Seems like a front mounted sprayer would result in you driving through the spray mist.

 

[RjCorazza]

I have a cab, but also go backwards a lot of the time. With the loader down low and 6 nozzles the spray stays down, and I still get about 8’ coverage.

 

[MasseyFerg231]

A tough question for me also !
" I’m leaning towards spreader then using 2gallon sprayer for any spot treatments".
This is exactly what I did (and 2.5 acre yard also). In my case I ended up with a close-out craftsman spreader. Only holds about 40lbs, but I have an old Gator to pull it with. So, I can keep other bags in the back of the Gator and re-fill on the spot. Otherwise, this spreader would be too small - too many trips back and forth to re-fill. I have used the spreader with my Z-turn also.
I use a backpack sprayer for spot, even broadcast (sort of) areas. I went with a Field King backpack. It has mixing flappers, so I can use powders also keeps liquids mixed up - a problem (minor) with a regular backpack.
I do have a 25 gallon sprayer also, but I never use it except for major spot spraying. Why ? Here in Central Texas, WIND WIND and more WIND. By the time of the year the wind is not screaming, the weeds are getting too mature - you of course, want to get them while they are young. These battery powered tank sprayers are a PITA. The pumps will fail and are $$ to justify replacing - IMHO.

So, my only real recommendation is ( I do not know what 2 gallon sprayer you were looking at) to get a backpack sprayer !

Good Luck !

Thanks for the advice. I was worried about capacity being small on 40lb unit, also worried about weight (on larger unit)if I ended up pushing manually. Looking to see if anyone makes a pull behind that also has a push handle so can operate it manually in tighter areas.

 

[ChuckT]

I have a tow-behind sprayer. Probably a 25 gallon unit and I'd like to use it but here in north central Florida I've had zip-O luck finding liquid lawn fertilizer! Seemed like a great idea. And I bought it so I could use it with Graze-On and such so the horses (2 minis) would get the benefit of a lush pasture. So who has liquid fertilizer (concentrate)?

 

[sea2summit]

I have a tow-behind sprayer. Probably a 25 gallon unit and I'd like to use it but here in north central Florida I've had zip-O luck finding liquid lawn fertilizer! Seemed like a great idea. And I bought it so I could use it with Graze-On and such so the horses (2 minis) would get the benefit of a lush pasture. So who has liquid fertilizer (concentrate)?

Not sure how bad you want it, agri supply in Tifton GA had it two weeks ago and shouldn't have gone anywhere.

 

[ChuckT]

Thanks! I haven't looked at Agri Supply in several years. Worth a shot, maybe.

 

[oldballs]

I don't know about availability of liquid fertilizer and herbicides these days, but I have always found them available at farm stores like Tractor Supply and others..... etc.

For my 3 acres i routinely use a 55 gallon tow behind sprayer, a 2 gallon hand sprayer for spot treatment and even larger areas like the driveway, or my walk behind Earthway spreader. They all have their place in my hands. I broadcast seed by hand and always look for a way to get the job done without an engine driving it...... but....having good legs and health makes a differance.

 

[Spike56]

I have a tow-behind sprayer. Probably a 25 gallon unit and I'd like to use it but here in north central Florida I've had zip-O luck finding liquid lawn fertilizer! Seemed like a great idea. And I bought it so I could use it with Graze-On and such so the horses (2 minis) would get the benefit of a lush pasture. So who has liquid fertilizer (concentrate)?

Chuck,
I see several liquid feeds on the Home Depot website... just for a starters. Of course, I bet you know, unless your tow-behind is capable of spraying it, it can damage the sprayer. Some say you can do it if you clean well, but some liquid feed is pretty caustic ?

 

[ChuckT]

I have been looking @ Rural King, Home Depot, Lowe's and Ace. And the preponderance of fertilizer I have seen is dry for a spreader.
Hey that's okay, we have a broadcast tow-behind for the lawn tractor but I was thinking the liguid, concentrate, would be an advantage. Hasn't worked out that way.

 

[Spike56]

I have been looking @ Rural King, Home Depot, Lowe's and Ace. And the preponderance of fertilizer I have seen is dry for a spreader.
Hey that's okay, we have a broadcast tow-behind for the lawn tractor but I was thinking the liguid, concentrate, would be an advantage. Hasn't worked out that way.

Understand completely. Most is dry. There are a few liquids at Home Depot. For me at least, I think the dry is better for fertilizer ? I have used the Medina liquid and it seemed to work well, but some of the higher nitrogen liquids (assuming you wait per instructions) was troublesome for me. In Texas, if I waited to spray liquid post-green up, and it did not rain (which it doesn't normally), it would burn the grass.
So, dry I can put out and it can sit until rains... of course some of the Urea may volatilize depending on the weather, but really no options for me. I just do not have the time, to time applications just right.

 

[ddbackhoe]

I have been looking @ Rural King, Home Depot, Lowe's and Ace. And the preponderance of fertilizer I have seen is dry for a spreader.
Hey that's okay, we have a broadcast tow-behind for the lawn tractor but I was thinking the liguid, concentrate, would be an advantage. Hasn't worked out that way.

How about this brand?

https://www.gordonsusa.com/products/lawn-garden/fertilizers/