Considering a UTV spray rig

[rustyshakelford]

I've been considering a new utv for a while. Miss the old rhino and have been seriously considering a new Polaris ranger 6x6. I keep hoping they would get the new 900 but they are staying true with the anemic 40 hp still. We have one at work and it's been great, but I've only run it down the road a little.

So, as with most of my things I try to find a way to get stuff to pay for itself or atleast let me think that. There's a large amount of pastures I mow that are covered up with weeds. They were once great pastures but time has taken its toll and they are getting covered up and the grass is suffering. I'm thinking about getting a 65 gallon utv skid for the buggy and spraying 24d and maybe spot spraying glyphosate along fence lines and around trees. I think I have the pricing structure down to where I'd feel comfortable. What I'm wondering about is if there will be any issues to the ranger? I don't want to make it rust out or damage it in anyway. Besides the obvious of rinsing it off when done do you know of any problems?

Thanks

Brett

 

[Magicman710]

With the bed being plastic, nothing your spraying should damage it. We use ours all the time for spraying, fertilizing, etc, and I've never seen a problem.

If you think drift may have come in contact with the rear end or engine, then just rinsing it off should be the only thing necessary.

 

[nybirdman]

Have you looked at the new Yamaha Viking?We have had great luck with Yamaha's;currently have two 2016 Vikings in the family.A friend just purchased a new CanAm Defender(50HP),waiting to check that out.We lost two Polaris dealers in our area due to inability to repair machines sold.

 

[rustyshakelford]

With the bed being plastic, nothing your spraying should damage it. We use ours all the time for spraying, fertilizing, etc, and I've never seen a problem.

If you think drift may have come in contact with the rear end or engine, then just rinsing it off should be the only thing necessary.

That's great! I knew about the bed just didn't know how the suspension and frame would be affected by the chemicals.

Have you looked at the new Yamaha Viking?We have had great luck with Yamaha's;currently have two 2016 Vikings in the family.A friend just purchased a new CanAm Defender(50HP),waiting to check that out.We lost two Polaris dealers in our area due to inability to repair machines sold.

Haven't looked at them. Really like the 6x6 for the extra axle spread the load over and the stability and traction it would provide but I'm not sold on anything yet! Thanks for the suggestion!

Brett

 

[hawkeye08]

My brother bought a used gas powered golf cart and ran it for his fence line/road/ditch/misc spray rig along with general purpose, carrying tools and parts to fix things in fields. It was much cheaper than a UTV..

 

[boggen]

i am more towards a pull behind trailer type spray rig myself.

i did a few modifications...
1. i bought some extra end plugs at local hardware store, so i can either have alligator clips for 12v battery, or plug in an extension cord, and route extension cord through truck/car/tractor to front of vehicle to 12v battery.
2. i am able to unhook from trailer and have "wheels" already on tank. so i can push/pull it manually in garage to position it fairly easily. (wheels just about right for COG (center of gravity) so little weight on tongue.
3. i like to use generic garden hoses in a couple spots (running cheaper 12v on demand spray pump) so i can add / remove some extra length of hose when i can not physically drive into some places. along with simply being able to coil up extra length of hose quickly. and take parts off.
4. some times it ends up 2 person doing. one driving. and another person walking behind with 10 to 20 feet of hose spot spraying or watering plants. so there is a tie off per say for the hose so it does not come undone. and hose gets pulled along. so person walking does not have to drag the hose about.
5. end up modifying the plumbing for both suction and pressure side of pump. so i can remove fluid and fill tires with a fluid on tractor.
6. ended up modifing the "fill spot" on tank. to go a little bit taller 2" pipe than then increases up to 4" pvc bushing. so i have a "funnel" built in. for dumping chemicals in. and something that holds garden hose a bit better when filling.
7. have yet to add. a mixing valve and pipe (1/2" to 1" pvc pipe with some holes in it.) and pushed through tank sides. so i can add chemicals / water and turn on pump so it all circulates and mixes the tank, and/or used to help clean out chemicals inside the tank. vs trying to stick hand with nozzle on garden hose and trying to spray / clean the inside of tank out.

the only issue i have with a pull behind / trailer sprayer is backing up. wheel base to short, single axle. and you end up in mud/ruts / hills / rocks /tree branches on the ground. making it rather difficult to backup at times.

thought about a tossing a tank in back of a pickup, but issue comes with needing to drain the tank. and in that needing to set tank up higher on a platform 2x4's for example. so a drain can be installed. which all adds up to weight and not be able to man handle getting tank out. but require a tractor or other to get tank out of truck bed. other issue is climbing into bed of truck. just to reach the "fill port" for adding chemicals / water to tank. and then cleaning everything off after you get done spray. the "mist" coming back and coating everything include yourself. the pull behind sprayer i just find a spot in driveway and hit it with garden hose and call it done. truck bed a bit more involved cleaning both spray and then inside of bed itself as well.

using tractor that has finishing mower on it many times. ends up resulting in spraying, mowing some, waiting for it to kill stuff, then go hit a couple extra spots later on. end result tank has chemicals that stay in it. for a week or 2 before being fully used all the way up.

 

[Duwop]

I've had the Honda Pioneer 700 for a few years and picked up a pull behind spray rig from Northern Tool although small at 13 gal. I use it for spraying insecticide in the garden, Eraser weed killer along fences. I created a custom dash switch board for lighting, USB charging with extra switching. I added a 12volt socket and wired the male end to the spray rig and control the power via toggle on dash. The only issue is backing up with the short wheel base of the sprayer but just make loops to eliminate any backing.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I've had the Honda Pioneer 700 for a few years and picked up a pull behind spray rig from Northern Tool although small at 13 gal. I use it for spraying insecticide in the garden, Eraser weed killer along fences. I created a custom dash switch board for lighting, USB charging with extra switching. I added a 12volt socket and wired the male end to the spray rig and control the power via toggle on dash. The only issue is backing up with the short wheel base of the sprayer but just make loops to eliminate any backing.

Something like that would work but I could just use my 4 wheeler. I'm interested in spraying pretty good sized places. 10 acres and up but would consider 5 acres if the money was right. I'm liking the 65 gallon tank idea and having a boom or spray tips that'll give me around a 20-30' throw. I'll get gps software for the buddy and probably dye till I know the gps is working right. Like I said earlier, I'm wanting a buggy but like to find ways to get things to pay for themselves or atleast put a little money in my pocket

Brett

 

[Tigershark]

I have a 26 gallon sprayer on my ATV from Northern tool. I sprayed 25 acres in the fall before planting wheat. I mainly use it to spray 10 acres. Takes a few fill ups and some time but works great. I think my model throws a 15'-20 spray.

 

[reggie717]

Brett,

We have a 2014 ranger 900 4x4 crew cab with a little dump bed on it. I am fairly impressed with it. It will pull my loaded utility trailer or boat with no problem.... Like 2200 pounds. In low range it will pull a muddy hill with a load ... No problem. I like mine!