Sprayer 12 Volt Tow-Behind Sprayer

pintodeluxe · Aug 2, 2009

I am frustruated with my Craftsman 15 gallon tow behind sprayer. Initially the sprayer worked fine, but it's 1 gpm pump means you have to absolutely CRAWL to get good coverage with the boom sprayer. Second gear at half throttle is the fastest you can go (six speed lawnmower tranny). Plus I need to fill it up 3 times to boom spray my 2 acre lawn for weeds.

Another complaint I have about the sprayer is that it leaks out the bottom of the tank. The tank-mounting bolts penetrate the bottom on the plastic tank, and eventually leak. This is okay if you are carrying a broadleaf herbicide that won't damage the lawn. However, if you are carrying Killz-All or Roundup, you will ruin the lawn everywhere the tank leaked. I removed the bolts and applied some silicone caulking. The tank doesn't leak but I still don't trust it with Roundup.

This weekend the pump motor quit working. I cleaned the filters in the tank and at the spray tips, but still no spray. It was interesting because the motor would hum, but neither the boom or spot-sprayer would spray. I primed the pump intake tube, and it worked normally again.

The spot sprayer handle cracked with normal use, and leaked everywhere. I replaced the spot sprayer with a factory Sears part.

On the positive side, I love using liquid Weedmaster to control weeds. It takes care of clover, dandelions, plantain, and other broadleaf weeds in 1-2 applications. The spot sprayer works great now - sprays up to 20 feet with adjustable spray pattern. I would even love to try liquid fertilizer if the pump had a higher flow rating. Has anyone had a good experience with Agri-Fab or TSC, or other brand 12v tow behind sprayers? There are already several posts on three-point sprayers, ATV sprayers etc, but I am set on a 12volt tow-behind sprayer. It really works slick, and my Craftsman riding lawnmower is wired with an on/off switch to better control the sprayer. That way I don't have to take the bagger off my Kubota to spray! I am looking for a 25-50 gallon tow behind 12 volt sprayer with a 2gpm or more pump. Pneumatic wheels would be a plus. It need to have both a boom sprayer, and a spot sprayer.
Thanks!

whistlepig · Aug 2, 2009

pintodeluxe said:
I am frustruated with my Craftsman 15 gallon tow behind sprayer. Initially the sprayer worked fine, but it's 1 gpm pump means you have to absolutely CRAWL to get good coverage with the boom sprayer. Second gear at half throttle is the fastest you can go (six speed lawnmower tranny). Plus I need to fill it up 3 times to boom spray my 2 acre lawn for weeds.

Another complaint I have about the sprayer is that it leaks out the bottom of the tank. The tank-mounting bolts penetrate the bottom on the plastic tank, and eventually leak. This is okay if you are carrying a broadleaf herbicide that won't damage the lawn. However, if you are carrying Killz-All or Roundup, you will ruin the lawn everywhere the tank leaked. I removed the bolts and applied some silicone caulking. The tank doesn't leak but I still don't trust it with Roundup.

This weekend the pump motor quit working. I cleaned the filters in the tank and at the spray tips, but still no spray. It was interesting because the motor would hum, but neither the boom or spot-sprayer would spray. I primed the pump intake tube, and it worked normally again.

The spot sprayer handle cracked with normal use, and leaked everywhere. I replaced the spot sprayer with a factory Sears part.

On the positive side, I love using liquid Weedmaster to control weeds. It takes care of clover, dandelions, plantain, and other broadleaf weeds in 1-2 applications. The spot sprayer works great now - sprays up to 20 feet with adjustable spray pattern. I would even love to try liquid fertilizer if the pump had a higher flow rating. Has anyone had a good experience with Agri-Fab or TSC, or other brand 12v tow behind sprayers? There are already several posts on three-point sprayers, ATV sprayers etc, but I am set on a 12volt tow-behind sprayer. It really works slick, and my Craftsman riding lawnmower is wired with an on/off switch to better control the sprayer. That way I don't have to take the bagger off my Kubota to spray! I am looking for a 25-50 gallon tow behind 12 volt sprayer with a 2gpm or more pump. Pneumatic wheels would be a plus. It need to have both a boom sprayer, and a spot sprayer.
Thanks!

I have a 15 gallon 12V hand sprayer that I put on the front of my ATV to spray fence lines. I have had it 20 years. It's made by Ficklin Machine Company. I think I bought it at TSC. Probably the most mistreated piece of equipment I have. It's been dropped a few times and has sit in a pole barn many a winter half full of Roundup and has frozen solid. Something should have busted but hasn't yet. I used it last week. Runs like new.