Sprayer

For 20+ years my research used herbicides to manage weeds in rangeland and wildlands.  I used a variety of research grade sprayers from tractor mount to backpacks and small spray chambers.   In retirement, I continued to use a 3 gallon pump-up around my 5 acre property. I designed a 3 nozzle 5' ft boom for even spray pattern.   The pump-up sprayer work well and with newer herbicides have 2 to 3 years control did not often need to be used.  The system still works but age and arthritis caught up with me so it became more difficult to spray.  I established some wildland areas on the property and let the weeds grow but still managed about an acre with herbicides.

An Ironton 8 gallon sprayer with 12 volt pump was purchased December 7, 2022.  The pump's rate of flow is 1 gallon per minute with a pressure cutoff switch set to 4o psi.  Rate of flow and pressure are not adjustable but are perfected for a small boom sprayer.  The sprayer comes with a spray gun and 12 ft of 3/8" hose.  It does not have a spray boom.  

The sprayer is too small for typical herbicide applications.  Size was right for mounting on the back of my Cub Cadet ZTS1 46" mower as a spot sprayer while I am mowing.  The weight of the sprayer fully loaded is 70 lbs.  It is mounted above the engine on the 2 inch steel frame and centered almost directly over the wheels.   

Boom

The rate of flow limits the number and type of nozzles.  I am using a tee-jet flat fan nozzles rated at 1 gpm flow rate at 40 psi.  This mean 2 nozzles max and cover a wide area given the small tank.  The nozzles are set at 30 inch spacing and have a 110 degree spray angle.  The boom is 20" from the ground and is mounted on the frame behind the mower  This allows sufficient overlap of the nozzles to prevent striping and a good coverage directly after being mowed.

Boom sprayer setup

A 3/8" tee was added after the pump and 3 ft used between tank and boom.  A 12 volt solenoid valve ($10 from amazon)  turns the boom on/off.  It was added to the boom feed hose just before the first nozzle.  Spraying Systems QJ100 Series Quick TeeJet Nozzle Bodies (tee and  elbow) mount the nozzles to the sprayer boom.   The screens have a ball check valve to prevent drips.  Nozzle tips are TeeJet XR11001VS or XR11002VS.    

Sprayer output. 

Sprayer output was calculated to be 10 GPA with 11001 (110 angle 10 GPA/40 lbs. pressure/3 mph) nozzles.

If 11002 nozzles are used for dry flowable compounds then 20 GPA/40 lbs. pressure/3 mph.  

Using the sprayer

Thoughts and Hacks

• If Dry Flowable use 11002 nozzles and check boom pattern each pass.   They love to plug nozzles.

• Empty and clean tank after spraying a Dry Flowable. 

• If using spray wand only turn off the boom with the ball valve.

• Check boom pattern regularly.

Video showing sprayer boom being used.