Sprayer Fimco sprayer pressure gauge

[buckthorn]

I was testing my 55 gallon 3-point Fimco sprayer yesterday (with water) when I saw water pouring out of the pressure gauge. There are no clogs anywhere -- I checked. Fortunately I think I still have enough water pressure to spray an acre with glysophate this week.

The gauge seems to be busted, although I don't know how or why it got to be that way. Has anyone else had this happen? The sprayer is only 2-3 years old.

 

[sixdogs]

Happens all the time. Plug hole, spray and get another gauge when you get a chance. Dry is OK, liquid filled is better. All you need is a 0-60psi reading.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I was testing my 55 gallon 3-point Fimco sprayer yesterday (with water) when I saw water pouring out of the pressure gauge. There are no clogs anywhere -- I checked. Fortunately I think I still have enough water pressure to spray an acre with glysophate this week.

The gauge seems to be busted, although I don't know how or why it got to be that way. Has anyone else had this happen? The sprayer is only 2-3 years old.

Glyphosate (RoundUp) is very corrosive. The OEM FIMCO gauges are rather cheaply manufactured. It doesn't take much to get one to leaking. I replaced mine with a glyserine filled T-JET gauge. I didn't like the tiny FIMCO gauge. Too hard to read while on the move.

 

[buckthorn]

Thanks, that makes me feel better. I suppose that it easily have been all of the Roundup. Stupid question: do you have any suggestions for plugging it up? A bolt, I suppose.

Happens all the time. Plug hole, spray and get another gauge when you get a chance. Dry is OK, liquid filled is better. All you need is a 0-60psi reading.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Thanks, that makes me feel better. I suppose that it easily have been all of the Roundup. Stupid question: do you have any suggestions for plugging it up? A bolt, I suppose.

That'll be a tapered pipe thread. Any good hardware store or plumbing supply shop should have pipe plugs. A bolt will ruin the threads.

 

[buckthorn]

Hmm, thanks. So when the FIMCO online catalog identifies the OEM gauge as 1/4 inch MIPT, that means I need a 1/4 inch tapered pipe thread? I think I just answered my own question. Doh.

That'll be a tapered pipe thread. Any good hardware store or plumbing supply shop should have pipe plugs. A bolt will ruin the threads.

 

[sixdogs]

Good advice from FarmWithJunk--get a glycerine filled larger gauge and I'll add I like the 0-60 psi better because easier to see.

 

[buckthorn]

I picked up a plug at HomeDepot for about seventy cents. It worked perfectly! No leaks, and the spraying went smoothly -- I just had to gauge the pressure by eye.

I'll look into picking up a new gauge later -- I usually don't need to use more than ~30 psi, so the 60 sounds fine. 400 is overkill. I don't understand the difference between "dry" and "liquid", but whatever I get, I'll be sure to keep it clean this time.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

That'll be a tapered pipe thread. Any good hardware store or plumbing supply shop should have pipe plugs. A bolt will ruin the threads.