Having problems with Tractor Supply weed torch.

[Brahmus]

Just picked up a Mr. Heater weed burner/torch, got home and hooked it up to 5lb bottle that was just filled. It's more of a match flame than a torch. I've played with both valves through both ranges and nothing. When I first strike it I get a little bit of torch action but only for a few seconds then it fizzles down. Am I doing something wrong or is this brand junk? Anyone have a suggestion for a better brand burner?

 

[xlr82v2]

There's a safety shutoff valve in the hose that will shut down the flow of propane if it is too high, ie. should the hose get cut or burned in half. A lot of times when you first hook up the hose and open the valve on the tank, the rush of propane filling the hose is enough to trip this safety valve. Just wait a few minutes, and it should self-reset, and the torch should operate normally.

Also, you said 5 lb tank...that's a pretty small tank for the torch... you may have problems feeding the torch enough propane out of a tank that small... it's going to get very cold... you'll probably get better performance as well as run time from a 20lb tank.

Good luck with it!

 

[two_bit_score]

Definately needs a bigger tank.

 

[Brahmus]

must have been falling asleep, it is a 20lb tank. I'll crank it up today and see if the valve resets.

 

[Brahmus]

That was it. I cracked the valve slowly, if I opened it to fast I heard the valve shut. Never noticed this before, go figure. Now she's screaming, Thanks for the help Brian!

 

[xlr82v2]

You're quite welcome!

 

[RobS]

I've never tried the torch route for weeds. How does it compare to roundup? Time to kill? How long does it last? How long does it take to cover an area? Cost?

 

[Brahmus]

Well I primarily got it to start my burn piles but I do intend to burn some weeds. The good thing is they are dead and gone that instant, no waiting and should last as long as roundup as both kill the plant there but don't prevent new plants from coming up. This torch was $60 and will probably last forever, not sure how fast I'll go through a bottle though.

 

[CurlyDave]

How does it compare to roundup?

Out my way we use both, but the torch is mostly for burn piles. I would say 50-60% of my weeds are poison oak. Roundup is the only way to go on that stuff.

 

[RobS]

Thanks for the info guys. I think for that money, I'll stick with my sprayer and Roundup. I have a gravel drive, about an eigth of a mile. Weeds on both sides plus turnaround areas.