I bought a sprayer several months back....

warhammer · Mar 10, 2010

Its a Fimco type 55 gallon, runs off a roller pump on the PTO. It only sprays with a good pattern for about the first half to two thirds of the tank. The last third or so the pressure goes to a bit above zero and the contents dribble out the nozzle instead of spraying.
I have tried adjusting the pressure valve, verifying the hoses and clamps are on good and tight and playing with the valve on the bottom of the tank.
This is the first and only sprayer I have ever used. What am I doing wrong or is that just how this type of sprayer works?

Warhammer

DaveOmak · Mar 11, 2010

Is the tank vented? Spray liquid should come from the tank to the pump. On the discharge side of the pump I install a pressure gauge. Install a "tee", one leg to the sprayer, the other to a ball valve that returns liquid to the tank. Adjust the ball valve to regulate pressure to the sprayer.
Insure the tubing is not collapsing or cracked on the inlet side.
Roller pumps do not like to "pull" liquid. They are designed for pressure. Elevate the tank or install larger diameter tubing on the "suck" side.
All of this "assumes" the roller pump is in good shape. We know what "assume" means? Good luck with the sprayer Dave

warhammer · Mar 11, 2010

The roller pump is new. Its a 4 roller pump.
The tank has a spring loaded check ball in the cap that opens under vacuum.
There is a gauge on the tank with a pressure adjustment. It does not seem to make any change when it is adjusted.
When I sprayed with it I elevated the the tank to 3 feet which put the bottom of the tank a bit above the roller pump.
Guess I'll just need to fiddle with it some more.
Thanks for the reply.

Warhammer

DaveOmak said:
Is the tank vented? Spray liquid should come from the tank to the pump. On the discharge side of the pump I install a pressure gauge. Install a "tee", one leg to the sprayer, the other to a ball valve that returns liquid to the tank. Adjust the ball valve to regulate pressure to the sprayer.
Insure the tubing is not collapsing or cracked on the inlet side.
Roller pumps do not like to "pull" liquid. They are designed for pressure. Elevate the tank or install larger diameter tubing on the "suck" side.
All of this "assumes" the roller pump is in good shape. We know what "assume" means? Good luck with the sprayer Dave

DaveOmak · Mar 12, 2010

Next time you use the sprayer and the flow drops, depress the check valve to insure the valve is releasing. Dave

warhammer · Mar 13, 2010

I have manually pushed the check ball down when the sprayer is dribbling and it made no difference.

DaveOmak said:
Next time you use the sprayer and the flow drops, depress the check valve to insure the valve is releasing. Dave

sixdogs · Mar 13, 2010

Wow, I had this exact prob last summer and couldn't figure it out. I cleaned all the nozzle screens, the main screen underneath and even bought a new pump.
The problem finally surfaced as some of the hoses rotting on the inside and pulling crap into the pump and plugging. The hoses were also were sucking closed. All fixed now.
Just my experience.

warhammer · Mar 13, 2010

I will give this a try. Hoses are cheap and the ones that came on it look like they collapse fairly easily. Thanks.
Warhammer

sixdogs said:
Wow, I had this exact prob last summer and couldn't figure it out. I cleaned all the nozzle screens, the main screen underneath and even bought a new pump.
The problem finally surfaced as some of the hoses rotting on the inside and pulling crap into the pump and plugging. The hoses were also were sucking closed. All fixed now.
Just my experience.