I've been thinking about a sprayer for the tractor or ZTR for my fine poison ivy crop. I hadn't pursued it to much depth, as the PTO driven ones were 55 gallon (smallest) and big $$$.

I just looked at some of the 12 volt sprayers and find that Northern Tool has a number of 16 gallon units ... not tow-able. The feedback ratings on some seem to be high.

I have had dozen are more 12 volt srayers in last 20 years because so many changes in design and some just broke pumps was problem in the begin was no replacement last 10 years there plenty of pumps and tanks small one at tractor supply even if they are 35 gallon tanks. ATV has better setup for sprayer 4 wheeler type. pull behind are not of good design the one tie down on rack are best to buy pump volume very important there 4 to 7 gallon ones 7 being best for spraying up 20 foot in trees most are 60 psi demand pump that means cut on at 40 psi cut off at 60 psi a low volume one like 2 to 3 gallons per minute mist out in air before reaching very high some tree canopy is large as 1/4 acre so if stand in one place and spray 1/4 acre all around you you got right one best 12 volts can do. But if just spot spray they all do it. If want go cheapest route go with backpack sprayer it spray in small trees peach apple and plum. Buying the pump alone 12 volt and tank and fitting spray wand hose. Adding gas powered pressure washer for spraying trees works for me just supply the washer from 12 volt pump and tank.

Marineguy-

Here you Go..

http://www.westpowertools.com/mackissic/sprayers-ps.html

- Kris

The FIMCO 30 gal. tow-behind unit at TSC has yet to disappoint me.

Cheers

JDFANATIC

Kris,
That Mighty Mac 514T looks like it would be just what I need, but $469! Wow. I think I'll take my chances with a Craftsman of the same size for $250. I mean seriously, how much difference can there really be between one of these and a box-store model. It's just a steel cart, a ployethlene tank, a pump and a hose. I don't need a pressure washer; I already have a 3000psi Karcher (which I've never run anything thorugh but water and detergent. I just need something to keep the weeds down.
Has anyone used a big pressure washer to spray herbicide or pesticicde? That's not something I've even though of doing... till now.

If you have a lawn cart to tow behind or if you can make a small rack for the back, I'd go for the Northern Tool unit (#8199 or even the #2681). That $400 difference is a lot to spend on a set of wheels. As you said, "it's a polyethylene tank, a pump and a hose".

Did I forget to mention, there are a bunch of the NorthStar units on eBay. ... I'm trying to get one. Plus, there are some other makes.

Marineguy- You asked, so I told. You don't have to buy one but you should know what is availlable (hi & low)to make a proper decision. Mackissic products are quality and parts and service is great. But I understand your delemna. I had a chance to buy one for my Gravely as an attachment but didn't because of price. I still wondering if I should have or not. - Kris

I installed a 26 gal sprayer to the back of my tractor. I made the boom to spray the lawn and use the wand for trees etc. I bought the sprayer from Northern and now they sell a single nozzle which will replace a boom. I have a quick attach feature on my tractor so I can remove the sprayer in minutes. The second picture shows the hanger. The third picture showes it attached to the tractor. I have a gage to set the pressure at 20 lbs for the spray nozzles. by turning one valve I can switch from boom to wand.
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OK, blacksmithman, are you home?

I just won a #2681 NorthStar on eBay. 16 gal., with on demand, 1.8gpm, 60 psi. pump. Auction, shipping and state tax came out to be about $48 less than Northern's price of $109.99 plus $17.20 shipping. It said "used", but the seller seemed to have a bunch of them, so I'm guessing, it was so he wasn't in direct competition with Northern. ?? Time will tell.

Anyhow, in your opinion, do I need a gauge and valve to cut the pressure for using the wand?

Marineguy I spray with pressure washer but not burn down herbicide it a high pressure sprayer not pressure washer pressure washer is sales talk. only spray liquid material there is no more stronger thing to spray than strong cleaners there acid give pressure washer a fresh water rinse after spraying fertilizer. The pressure washer has the 12 vdc nurse tank and pump with garden hose male end attached to female garden hose end on pressure washer the 12 volt pump output got to be as large volume as pressure washer output are larger is best if only in tenth of gallon larger. I spray 225 peach trees in 45 minutes with pressure washer it take me 4 hours just with the 12 volt sprayer and flat fan tip on wand. With pressure washer you have stay back about 10 feet from tree to spray it backing from tree keep from cutting its leafs but blow insect from tree and wet with insecticide at same time. Mites and aphids are removed from any leafs that I spray I would use only water if spraying for these insects a good thounder storm rain at right time take care of these insects high number population if blow them away want come back. All label directions needs to be followed when spraying with pressure washer on chemical.

Blacksmithman,
Nice work! That's exactly what I'm talking about. I don't have a welder, so I'll probably try to get some parts from JD to use the 7-bushel bagger hardware and end up with something similar (but not as rugged). I'm don't need a tank that big so the collection system support should work fine for a 15 gal tank. Figuring a 15 gallon tank of water weighs about 60lbs. I have no idea what 7 bushels of wet grass weighs but I'm assuming it's around there.

Figuring a 15 gallon tank of water weighs about 60lbs

unless i am mistaken, water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon, so double that estimate!

If you want a boom or nozzle setup you need a gage or the spray will variey in amount and width. Here is my set up. From the pump to a "T" out of the "T" to the wand at full pressure. Through the "T" to the single valve. I tapped the "T" for the gage. With the first valve closed you use the wand, when opened you split the stream with two valves, one valve goes to the boom. The second valve is the regulating valve or by pass valve. With the boom on you adjust the valve to set the proper pressure to the boom. I hunted for a heavy plastic "T" so I could tap it for the gage. You will need pipe thread to water hose adapters for the "T' to valves and water hose to water hose to commect the valves. You need water hose to barbed hose for the tubing connections and pipe fittings to barbed hose fitting for the wand.

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blacksmithman,

Congrats on your ingenuity, as usual! :) New posters will wonder why I wish this gus was my next door neighbor!

Cheers

JDFANATIC

You guys may be more impressed with Blacksmithman, but Gator rider2 is the first person I've ever read that can accurately capture a cajun accent in printed word. And he's right about the using the pressure washer as he describes.

David,
right... I don't know where my head was. I was thinking 8 but multiplied by 4.
That 3rd grade math gets me every time!
I wonder if the mounting brackets for the JD 2 cu-ft bucket can hold 120lbs. The kit's only $21. I wonder what that actually includes.

Here is a link that might be useful: GT accessories

Thanks! blacksmithman. I don't know as I'll jump right into a boom. But, at least I've got the picture, if I do. ... or maybe the new nozzle they have.

One important thing to remember you need to support the valves. I was testing my set up and I hit the valves at an angle and broke the fitting from the pump. I was able to replace the fitting and was lucky I didn't damage the pump. I attached a support under the "Y" valve to the tank and that worked out just fine.

I got my NorthStar sprayer today. It looks good. It's marked as "used", but I question that. It smelled a bit like Round-Up ?, however the wand and all the goodies were in the tank, packed just like new. Tomorrow, I'll try it out for operation.

Now, I have to figure out what to do. I was thinking of mounting it on the Z, but the muffler is in the far back. I might be able to mount it over the engine, but would have to leave some airspace over the engine. I might be able to put it in front, over the deck. OR, I could put it in the trailer and be on my way. It sounds like a "no brainer", doesn't it? What is the advantage of having it mounted? ... aside from, "it would look cool".

I posted this before. Here is a photo of a sprayer I made for my ZTR:

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Here is a link that might be useful: ZTR Sprayer Photos

Thanks for the picture. Is your muffler just ahead of the sprayer tank?

I just stuck mine on the floor boards, between my legs. I have tried it with water .. so far, so good. I'm about to put some Round-Up in and go for a drive.

I put in 10 gallon of mix and away I went. It sure didn't take long to spray that out! When I was refilling the tank, I noticed it seemed to be leaking in the front (The way I had it sitting on the Z). Upon closer inspection, it seemed to be leaking at one of the brass mounting inserts. The poly molding there was a little sparse. I believe a little silicone on the inside and a large area washer, with a rubber washer underneath, screwed into the nut will seal it. However, I've written to the seller to see what he has to offer.

Other than that, it worked great!

Dtrayers,
Nice grass. I see you're not in a drought.