What type of sprayer would you use?

[Jlblake]

Good morning everyone!

I have unsuccessfully tried to find information on TractorByNet regarding how to select a good sprayer. I'm hoping you guys can help me out...again!

• I need to spray fence lines so my electric fence will work.
• I want to spray a couple of fields to get rid of some goat weed. I have something the neighbors call goat weed but my goats won't eat it. It overruns the primary field they are in. I would like to kill it.
• I also want to fertilize one or two of my fields.

The primary field is approximately 8 acres (kill weeks and fertilize) and the fence lines are around about 30 acres or so. I have a 4 wheeler, a mule and a tractor that I can use.

Thank you very much!

 

[oosik]

I have a DEMCO 25 gallon lawn and garden sprayer. Mine is set up to use on the tractor 3-point. It has a Hypro Roller pump that connects to the tractor PTO. I have a 25 foot hose and nozzle setup.

It can also come on a trailer with a gas driven pump and spreader sprayer AND hose with nozzle.

Actually - depending upon your needs - DEMCO can be set up just about any way you need.

Mine is a very powerful unit and will shoot spay, easily, 40 to 50 feet with the nozzle.

It's used to spray the side of my mile long driveway and spray my fruit trees- when I had trees.

 

[Jlblake]

Thank you oosik. Do you buy from places like Tractor Supply, feed stores or Co-ops? Is there a better place to buy things like this?

 

[oosik]

Strange as it seems - I bought it in 1988 from the Kubota tractor dealership - $640. I still have the original sales documents and the owners manual.

So.... it's been a good sprayer for a good long time. Only concern I have. I use it so much with RoundUp - I wouldn't want to try using it for spraying fruit trees or anything you want to save.

It just had too much RoundUp in it over all these years. DEMCO has specific instructions for cleaning the tank, hoses, nozzles, etc after use. I never did that - I just used plain old water.

The unit has more hoses and pipes and ball valves - like its been made by Rube Goldberg. The unit has a special mixing function. Add the water & chemicals -turn a couple or three of their ball valves. The water & chemicals go thru the pump & back in to the tank. Run for a couple minutes - it's completely mixed. This is the same procedure for cleaning.

I'd Google - DEMCO - and see if you have a dealership close by.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Good morning everyone!

I have unsuccessfully tried to find information on TractorByNet regarding how to select a good sprayer. I'm hoping you guys can help me out...again!

• I need to spray fence lines so my electric fence will work.
• I want to spray a couple of fields to get rid of some goat weed. I have something the neighbors call goat weed but my goats won't eat it. It overruns the primary field they are in. I would like to kill it.
• I also want to fertilize one or two of my fields.

The primary field is approximately 8 acres (kill weeks and fertilize) and the fence lines are around about 30 acres or so. I have a 4 wheeler, a mule and a tractor that I can use.

Thank you very much!

I would suggest that you look at a sprayer that you can carry on / use from your ATV or Mule. That way you're not buying wheels and axle and extras that you don' t need. Also don't have to worry about wearing out the wheel bearings while dragging it across fields.

You can find some pretty inexpensive options at TSC, Rural King, Agri Supply, etc. For what you're doing, the FIMCO brand electric-pump sprayers would get the job done. (There are similar / equivalent brands depending where you buy.) It will come with a manifold so you can use a spray wand or boom that covers 10' or so in a pass. They're easy to install and remove from your vehicle and you just wire into your 12V system someplace for power. The same thing in a 3-point version for the tractor is a good option too. I've had bad experience with the little pull behind units because of the wheel bearings and there are simply better options.

 

[ponytug]

I use a Northern Tool 12V sprayer to clear fire zones. I spray handheld while driving the tractor along roads, and on the ground for spot application. They have handheld and spray boom versions.

I am not sure what you want to fertilize with, but generally a spreader is more effective (tons/acre).

There are also weevils for goat head weed (puncture weed?) which might be an alternative, especially in your area.
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74128.html
Vendors and more information

We dealt with an invasive by weevil releases and a a few years of selective removal. The fact that the neighbors didn't really get on it meant that the weevils infested their weeds and kept a population going. It might take a few years because you have to get rid of the seeds that are now in your soil.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Jlblake]

Thank you guys!

Peter - I have heard this weed called goat weed but I don't really know what it is. It looks different than the pictures you linked though and there don't appear to be any sort of burrs. I'll have to take a picture of it when I'm out this weekend.

 

[Jlblake]

I do believe there are dumb questions and I usually can come up with one periodically. Here's one: how far does a gallon go when you're spraying fencelines? I have weeds along the lines, probably 18" high in most spots. My front property line is about 1800' and the sides are longer. Should I get a 50+ gallon tank for that?

 

[workinonit]

I bought a 40 gallon boom sprayer from TSC. It has a 12v pump. I would prefer a roller pump but this actually is well suited for spraying my fire ant solution. I have it sitting on my Polaris ranger right now. It has a spray wand and the boom folds up. I put flood nozzles on it and at about 7 MPH I can spray 3.5 acres with a tank of water/Regent. I don't use the wand on this sprayer as I have a 15 gallon that is just for Roundup.
FWIW, you can clean and neutralize Roundup with household ammonia.

 

[YanmarFever]

I have a 50 gal pto sprayer and I was spraying 3 20 acre lots along the fence with the hand wand.
It also has folding spray arms that extend 10' should I need to spray the field.
I bought in 1995 for $500 new, its a fimco brand.
Good luck and wear a mask!

FIMCO 60 Gallon 3 Point Complete 7 Nozzle

The FIMCO 60 Gallon 3 Point Sprayer is designed to work with small to mid-size farm tractors. The UV resistant, molded polymer tank has a 5 inch tethe...

www.fimcoindustries.com