Sprayer New 55 gal sprayer, can't prime pump

[duffer]

Hey guys,

Bought a new 55 gal boom sprayer, and can't get the roller pump to prime or pump. Need some ideas please. (Delevan 6900C)

So far I've tried the following without any success...

• confirmed water is getting to inlet port on pump from tank (took hose off, water comes thru freely)
• opened flow valve on inlet hose, before pump at strainer
• checked strainer, all is clean
• confirmed pump is rotating in proper direction (4 times)
• running PTO at tractor RPM of 1200-1500 to try to prime pump
• Pulled OUTLET hose off of pump, no water coming out
• Took pump off tractor, opened it up, no foreign debris blocking inlet or outlet
• Rollers turn easily by hand
• decreased outbound line pressure , in order to eliminate back pressure on pump

If the pump were used, I would consider it to be defective, but being brand new, I really doubt it. When I opened the pump up, it looked like there was a little lithium grease on all of the rollers...just a coating, nothing excessive.

I'm at a loss. Hope some of you have some things I can try.

Thanx in advance!

 

[Industrial Toys]

Is there poly line going in to the pump so you could see air? I'm thinking it's sucking air. So, feed to pump is gravity, not relying on suction?

I am not sure about what a roller pump is. It that a positive displacement pump?

Sometime it's the simplist things that can drive us nuts!

 

[Oldoak]

When you disconnected the outlet (discharge) hose from the pump, did you try running the PTO to check that it was pumping water?

Also increase the pressure on your pressure regulator to get more flow. You may be cutting off the flow by backing off on the pressure regulator too far. The pressure regulator controls the fluid pressure down stream of the regulator by increasing or decreasing the flow from the pump. Less downstream pressure (flow) after the regulator actually puts more back pressure on the pump.

One other thing, Is there a flow cut off lever of the top the your pressure regulator like some sprayer systems have? If so, is it in the right position?

 

[duffer]

Thanx for the very quick replies guys. Really do appreciate it.

As it turns out, the dealer plumbed the pump backwards. Inlet hose went to outlet discharge side of the pump and vice versus.

Once I reversed the hoses, VOILA !!!

Thanx again.

 

[WranglerX]

Thanx for the very quick replies guys. Really do appreciate it.

As it turns out, the dealer plumbed the pump backwards. Inlet hose went to outlet discharge side of the pump and vice versus.

Once I reversed the hoses, VOILA !!!

Thanx again.

Typical of dealers today....

Dale

 

[Industrial Toys]

Great!

That's the thing. Dealers (at least here) are always muddling their way through things they know nothing about and DON"T have any "training" in. Not that I think, that is worth a nickle.

 

[3gunr]

What brand sprayer is it , Im looking at getting one also .What size is the boom?

 

[duffer]

It is "Ag Smart" brand, but after talking with the dealer, that is the brand of the tank and valve assembly. The boom comes from another vendor, the hand wand comes from a 3rd vendor and the pump comes from a 4th vendor.

FWIW, I was told several times in my research, NOT to get a white plastic tank, as they deteriorate much faster than a yellow tank. The yellow tank I got is much heavier gauge than the white tanks I looked at.

The boom I got was a "break-away" 10 footer, but if you raise your 3 pt hitch up to above level you can get a spray pattern of almost 15'. I need a break away boom, so when I hit a tree I won't break the boom, it just folds back.

If you're going to use Round-up in yours, you might want to consider getting a stainless steel pump, vs a plain steel pump. I'm going to flush out my pump any time I use herbicides of any kind, so I didn't mind the steel pump.

I also got a 3 pt hitch and PTO hookup, vs an ATV and elec pump.

Spent a hair over $900. Lots more features on this one, than others I looked at for same price or more. JD wanted $2200 for their Van's brand. I'm sure it's better quality than mine, but I'm not growing hundreds of acres of crops and will use everyday. I figure I'll use mine 5-6 times a year.

 

[Oldoak]

If you're going to use Round-up in yours, you might want to consider getting a stainless steel pump, vs a plain steel pump. I'm going to flush out my pump any time I use herbicides of any kind, so I didn't mind the steel pump.

Very good advice. The stainless version does cost quite a bit more, but can save you money in the long run.

Over the years, I have had bearing failures due to the seals eventually leaking rather than actually internal pump problems although I had to replace the worn rollers once.

Even after flushing when finished spraying, I run a cup of undiluted dormant oil tree spray through the pump to prevent corrosion and help keep the seals from drying out. Dormant oil tree spray is water soluble and will not hurt any crops.

 

[duffer]

Had a brain fart this morning.

Decided to install a shutoff valve, and insert a valve in the inbound line, before the strainer and pump, so that I can do the following:
* shut the flow from the tank completely off whenever needed
* have the ability to do a quick "dump" of the tank, bypassing the strainer and pump
* flush out the entire plumbing system without having to drain the tank, using a hose connection that will supply water from my hose bib on the garage, into the sprayer system, without adding water to the tank.

Parts cost me $20. Cheap insurance to protect the pump and hoses and keep it clean.