boom sprayer question

[nancyk]

I am in the market(again) for a larger boom sprayer to replace the one my husband made 25 years ago. It is a 25 gallon tank that he affixed to a a carry-all(3 pt hitch for a tractor) and rigged up a 5 foot wide boom, with a shut-off so you can spray half-wide. It is connected to an off-on switch to be used from the drivers seat and is powered by the plug-in on the back of the tractor. Ideally the width would be 10 feet, with folding boom and adjustable width of spray pattern that could be adjusted from the drivers seat(currently have to stop the tractor, manually turn a valve, then do the same when you want a different spray pattern). Have seen a discussion of a pto powered sprayer, can someone explain that, and should I be considering getting a pto powered spray system? Thanx. I did not mention that I am only spraying gravel drive/farm roads and glyphosate. Each time I usually spray 2 tanks, one if I am lucky. The tank is rinsed out well after each use and clean water flushed through the nozzles.

Nancy

 

[5030]

I use a Fimco 275 gallon 3 point mount sprayer with a 7 roller pto driven pump myself. I run a stainless pump because of what I spray. Good trouble free spry rig so long as you clean it out after using it and put in RV antifreeze in the winter so stuff don't freeze. I use dawn dishwash detergent and water to flush mine out. Much less than the commercial tank wash and does as good of a job.

 

[jaxs]

Pto pump is overkill for your need. Look at Northern Tool's catalog for complete rigs that fit you need perfectly. I'm not sure what you are talking about changing spray pattern but if you don't find what you need in Hypro's catalog,it doesn't exist.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

Pto pump is overkill for your need. Look at Northern Tool's catalog for complete rigs that fit you need perfectly. I'm not sure what you are talking about changing spray pattern but if you don't find what you need in Hypro's catalog,it doesn't exist.

2x on this one. If op is only spraying 2tanks (50) gallons a year pto will work perfectly but at a very high cost / gal sprayed.

 

[nancyk]

Unfortunately I need to spray the drive/roads/in front of the barn and shed, more than once a year. At least once every two months during the growing season. Sometimes once a month. By changing width of spray pattern, I mean closing off two of the spray nozzles, this was for only when the side of the drive needs spraying.

 

[jaxs]

Unfortunately I need to spray the drive/roads/in front of the barn and shed, more than once a year. At least once every two months during the growing season. Sometimes once a month. By changing width of spray pattern, I mean closing off two of the spray nozzles, this was for only when the side of the drive needs spraying.

Close off two nozzles got it. That's easy with 12 volt controlled valve(s) available several places for various purposes. If turning the same side off everytime rather than left or right,the valve would mount just passed tee on side you want to control. I would suggest a single pole double throw (on-off-on) switch at drivers station. Up sends power to pump and valve turning pump on and opening valve to controlled side. Center position turn all power off stopping pump and closing valve. Down position sends power only to pump turning it on but doesn't send power to valve so it remains closed.
Being able to chose closing either side can be done with another valve and different switch.

 

[nancyk]

This system(homemade years ago) is set up to be powered by a plug in the back of the tractor. I believe it may be called a 7 pin connector plug. Very convenient. When a spraying system says it is 12v, that can be converted to the 7 pin connector plug, correct? Not by me, would have to get a friend to convert it.

 

[BukitCase]

Nancy, I built my DC powered sprayer (also 25 gallon) very similar to yours, initially started to build a "wet" boom but found a 3 section folding "dry" boom when I was looking for parts - The previous suggestions for valving should take care of your switching needs.

I'm 78 and was TEACHING electronics in the military when I was 19, followed by decades of tech jobs - if I were closer I'd just drive there and help, but your friend shouldn't have too much trouble sorting it out - Just in case tho, I suggest you bookmark this link

Viewing a thread - 7 pin connector

From that (with a basic digital meter) should easily check YOUR tractor connector for + and - 12 volts, and hopefully find an appropriate mating connector -

If local sources are limited, I've had good luck at etrailer.com - good luck... Steve

 

[nancyk]

your link was where I got the designation "7 pin connector", I usually refer to that as the "electrical connection plug on the back of the tractor" . I had been looking just at getting a wider(and new) boom for my existing setup. But then all wider booms "require" at least a 2 gpm pump and mine is a tad less. So, looking at pricing for an upgraded pump, it makes sense to get an entire system with new tank et al. I am not looking to save a buck here, I would like to press the "easy button" and get the set-up with the ability to change the width of spray from the drivers seat of the tractor and have an on/off switch at the drivers seat. In looking at different boom sprayer kits, I believe I have found one that would work for this situation, then I see that some are advertised for atv and some for tractor. Yet another variable. I have two people who would do their best to help me with this but as they both have full time jobs and families, I try to not ask them for help except when I truly cannot figure something out(5 years ago, I was moving a log, in the bucket, with our 85 hp Deere w/cab, and got stuck in a precarious situation. I called Travis to come help me out, after getting me out, he looked at me and said "young lady, you need to sell this tractor, you are going to get hurt". He was correct and I sold the tractor). When I get the new system, could we just take the connector off the current set-up and slice it into the new wiring?
I just checked the wiring, the 7 point connector has 2 black wires coming from it. One goes to the drivers off/on switch, the other goes to the pump and the units off/on switch. It looks fairly straightforward to connect all to a new system. So, all I am wanting now is the ability to change the width of the spray pattern from the drivers seat and, as I cannot do that now, I could live with not being able to do that in the future.

 

[BukitCase]

Your description of the wiring sounds to me like BOTH of the black wires may be 12 volts (when the tractor switch is ON) - as in, the tractor switch only INTERRUPTS the 12 volt source - if so, you might still need to find a GROUND - if you have access to a volt meter this could be determined by checking the voltage between the 2 pins of the 7 pin connector that're attached to the black wires - if I'm right, you would still need a ground connection.

If you can post any useful pics it may help (a lot)

If you get a whole new system with a fold-out extra boom, a 12 volt solenoid valve (or two) plumbed into the "extra" spray head(s) and a switch to open/shut those valves should be all you need - I've seen that type valve with barbed connections built in, I used some with my "3-way" boom. Another advantage of going with a new system is the chance to "upgrade" your pump to handle the extra spray heads as you mentioned.

I took my system a bit further and added a separate, switchable 50 foot spring return hose reel and a handheld wand. My pump is just under 4 GPM so I valve off the boom when using the spray wand. Comes in useful for my situation(s)

If you or Travis don't already have an inexpensive digital volt meter, that needs to happen before I'd have any more to offer - my stuff is all well over $100, but unnecessary for this kind of job - even something like this

Amazon.com

would do ANYTHING you might wanna check in the future - or even cheaper, an "automotive voltage tester".

Really need to see some pics... Steve