North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[tanis cuff <tanistanis@hotmail.com>]

The 2 backpack sprayers I use are mostly for weeds & lesser for insecticide 
for flowerbeds.  IE, one sprayer for glyphosate, the other for not 
glyphosate.  My insecticide sprayer is for 2 gallons at a time; it's a Solo.  
The larger sprayer is for the weeds, and I do about 3 fills 3 gallons per 
session.  This sprayer (the one which leaks, and I can't recall the 
manufacturer) has not only the helpful hip-strap, but also the handle can be 
changed fairly easily from one side to the other.  If you've had a shoulder 
or elbow injury, this feature is very nice!!

I don't spray apple trees, sorry.  Mine's just a hobby & attempt to share 
what I grow.  If I did spray, I'd definitely shop for or try to build one of 
the wheeled sprayers.  And the spray would need to reach into semi-standard 
trees!  I think it might be easier to start over with more- dwarfing 
rootstocks. 

I wish I could offer makes & models, but haven't kept up on that. 


________________________________

From: hangermayer
To: nafex
Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2008 00:06:07 -0600
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] backpack sprayers

I been researching backpack sprayers, but haven't used one yet.  I read 
somewhere that the models Solo currently sells have the capability to attach 
the pump handle on the left or right side.  They sell piston pump models that 
go up to 90 psi or diaphragm pumps that go to 60 psi.  The piston pumps won't 
handle wettable powders/water dispensable granules (many pesticides are 
WP/WDG) because the abrasiveness of the granules is hard on the seals.  The 
diaphragm pumps are supposed to work well with WP/WDG but they don't put out 
as much pressure.  Solo's are fairly cheap sprayers but a disadvantage I've 
heard is that you can't hardly get the pumps apart to maintain/replace any 
parts.

I think a long wand will help with a higher reach.  Solo sells a 5ft. wand.  
I've also learned SP systems sells even longer wands.  They sell a 66" brass 
wand and a 78" fiberglass wand.  Although their sprayers are more costly, 
their SP0 backpack sprayer is a diaphragm that has a working pressure up to 
80psi and a max pressure of 150psi.  Their SP0 models also have a built in 
agitator that "stirs" the mix every time the lever is pumped.

I still don't know for sure which way to go.  Since I already have a 25 
gallon electric sprayer, maybe all I need is a 3 gallon hand sprayer as a 
companion.  Or maybe a backpack sprayer would last so much longer, it would 
be worth the extra cost.  I need to make up my mind.  Spring is right around 
the corner.

Mark


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