Buy or build 15 gal spot sprayer?

sixdogs · Mar 7, 2008

I have a larger spray rig but need a 15 gallon electric spot sprayer for around the house and buildings. The problem is I would like one with a gauge on it and can't find one other than mail order with expensive shipping added in. Would put it at $175.
I'm not too cheap but wonder if I should build one myself? The tanks and motors are everywhere and there's not much else to them. I am pretty handy with stuff like this.
So the question is, do I buy or build and any advice if I build?

tree grower · Mar 7, 2008

Sixdogs--are you in need of an herbicide sprayer like the ones you get from Northern Tools that you put on an ATV, or pull behind a riding mower? I have 6 acres of Christmas trees that are sprayed twice a year, and I couldn't bring myself to pay the price for a Rears or other manufactured sprayer, so I built one myself. It's a 35 gallon rig with TPH, powered with a roller pump on the pto shaft. As you have observed, all it is is a tank, pump and plumbing. If you already have a larger rig (100 acres of soybeans??), just replicate the design, but downsize the components as appropriate. Teejet puts out a great catalog with every spray nozzle and fitting known to man, and the catalog includes some good schematics of sprayer design. Anything you might need can be had from OESCO in Conway, MA. www.oescoinc.com They supply for the Christmas tree and orchard industry.

sixdogs · Mar 7, 2008

TreeGrower
I just need something for the three acres around the house and barn. I spray Roundup and 2-4-D and am tired of hauling around a three gallon hand sprayer. I have a PTO sprayer but would not be able to get where I want with it--big--.
I figure I could mount a small 15 gallon unit on the front of my B7800/hydo and spray aroung my trees and such in an easier manner. I figure 15 gallon since that is all I would need and it is easier to empty when i guess wrong on how much mix to make.
What I really want is a 15 gallon unit with a gauge, drain and higher capacity pump. The $79 ones don't have that and I have to spend $175 to get one like I want. So, I can either buy one and be sensible or buy a tank, pump and figure it out. I already have the wand and hose along with the wire and that's about all there is to one of these. Oh, I also have a gauge.
Any ideas here? This is a pretty clever group.
Six acres of Christmas trees is a lot of work .
By the way, 100 acres down here is like ten acres up there. While VT is small fields and rolling hills, the flat ground and black soil around here leads to economics-of-scale farming and 1500 to 3000 acre farms. And often farmed by two people and some drivers for harvest. It's hard to believe how big the equipment is. When I was in the north, a JD 4440 was a monster. Now with the JD 9000 series, I dare say some people in VT don't have a camp as big. A 4440 is a notch above a "utility" tractor. I'd post some photos if anyone cares.

RonMar · Mar 7, 2008

The 15-25 gallon Fimco basic spot sprayers that Agri Supply sells, are pretty reasonable, once you total up all the parts and setup of your own. One of these would go in a loader bucket pretty easy. the tanks are translucent so you can always see how much is in them. Mine has gallon graduations molded into the side. I think all the Fimco sprayers have drains, but you might have to call them to confirm that. My 25 does, but the 15 on this link dosn't say anything about a drain.

SPOT SPRAYER ,15 GAL. - Agri Supply

I built a tow behind cart for the 25 gallon one I bought. Mine has a little different tank, but same basic features and still pretty close to the price I paid.

(LG-25-P) 25 GAL SPRAYER W/HANDGUN - Agri Supply

It also came with a "Y" gate valve plummed in place to hook up a boom, so I added a basic 80" boom for not much more. Sure makes blanket spraying 2-4D for weed control on the lawn nice and easy.

BOOM KIT FOR ASC#32995 80 COVERAGE BK1 - Agri Supply

hench861 · Mar 7, 2008

harborfreight sells one for 89.95 part number 96302 its a dobbins with a shurflo pump i use it on the back of my quad works great

DMF · Mar 7, 2008

TSC has one for $79 right now....

Sully2 · Mar 7, 2008

RonMar said:
The 15-25 gallon Fimco basic spot sprayers that Agri Supply sells, are pretty reasonable, once you total up all the parts and setup of your own. One of these would go in a loader bucket pretty easy. the tanks are translucent so you can always see how much is in them. Mine has gallon graduations molded into the side. I think all the Fimco sprayers have drains, but you might have to call them to confirm that. My 25 does, but the 15 on this link dosn't say anything about a drain.

SPOT SPRAYER ,15 GAL. - Agri Supply

Im going to buy one of those to use for liquid fertilizer for my yard plants / flowers and such

Hosskix · Mar 7, 2008

Sixdogs, you'll be money ahead to buy the $80 rig and a 30 cent tee to attach your gauge to.
I know we're all "do-it-yourselfers-from-heck" but by the time you factor in all the nickel and dime stuff you'll need it's just cheaper and smarter to buy the cheap rig and add to it.
Even if you want a higher output pump; you can add that as well.
(You'll eventually need the spraygun you have, theirs suck and you'll eventually tear it off anyway!)

bigdad · Mar 8, 2008

I went throught the same thing last season. Ended up with the FIMCO 15 GAL and put it on my Carryall. Thought about the trailer setup but with the three point mount manuverability won out. I fabbed up a small boom that will do six foot plus. The package came with a wand. With the package, it saved me running around finding all of the parts that I wasn't exactly sure what I needed (at the time anyway).

Good luck.