Mike,
Nice looking sprayer!
Iowa,
I always hope a wind gust doesn’t come up. I spray evenings or mornings. Those big trees are harder than they look.
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I like the combination of the pump with that nozzle. I think that the nozzle is the key. It allows the flexibility of a stepless transition of the spray without the need to change the spray tips. I can go from a stream to a fog using the nozzle handle mounted flow control valve.
This year with over 100 espalier trees to deal with, the 16 gallon tank just will not do. Last year I had to mix two batches and now with most of the trees approaching full size …
With the 100 foot hose I can have the tank be stationary. I have a 50 gallon plastic drum. I installed a ball valve hose bib. I will take the pump assembly off the 16 gallon tank and hook up the pump directly to the 50 gallon drum so I can spray uninterrupted without having to mix multiple batches.
Mike
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That is an impressive unit MES111. I’ve got 25’ of hose so I still have to re-position a lot, but I’ve often thought someday I’m going to get the right pump and sprayer that will allow just about what you’re doing.
My Apples sit on a sloped side hill kinda like concert goers have to set at an outdoor amphitheatre, sort of a slopping bowl so nothing about them is easy, from spraying and pruning, to harvesting. (At least my peaches and cherries are all on level ground…)
Exactly right on the spray times Clarkinks. If I don’t get started early enough even the slightest wind is a pain for me since the apples are surrounded by timber. The way the ground lays combined with the timber and fields, it seems I get swirling winds over there even when the wind is predominantly out of the same direction otherwise.
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I know this is an old thread but MES111 now that you have used your Northstar Sprayer for another 6 months still like it? How does it work with smaller quantities of fluid - say 2 to 6 gallons?
Richard,
The sprayer works well. However, I think that the screen on the intake inside the tank is INADEQUATE. I definitely would NOT recommend it for any wetable powders. Even for regular miixes I wrap the intake pipe in a sock filed with aquarium filter pads.
But regardless, I think that it is overkill for 2-6 gallons. For that type of spraying I’d recommend something likre
https://www.amazon.com/Hudson-99598-Electric-Atomizer-Commercial/dp/B001FWX3LK
For myself, the 16 gallon capacity proved insufficient. I started using a pressure power washer hooked up to a 30 gallon plastic barrel. See old post below
Mike
I am looking at a new sprayer as I find the one I have inadequate for my own needs.
I would like something that is capable of spraying things like Daconil and Surround without clogging the sprayer. (Most important feature.). Also looking for something that will mix the solution in the tank while I spray. (Greatly preferred, but I could do without it.). Also looking for something that can provide good coverage at least 15 feet up. Not, however, looking for a huge tank that needs to remain stationary. The max I could do would probably be a backpack sprayer with up to about 50 lbs on my back, or something I can wheel around.
Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks if you can help.
Most non-commercial/professional sprayers with IN-TANK agitators use a bypass valve to internally route some of the flow from the pump back into the tank to keep it mixed. This has the effect of reducing the pressure at and the flow coming out of the nozzle. DUH, not what you want when you are looking for range.
And… besides the internal flow is, to put it mildly, anemic. And the more agitation the less output pressure.
I drop a submersible aquarium pump into the tank to keep things well agitated. These pumps come in all sizes and are cheap cheap cheap and they come in all outputs.
See just a sampling below
Mike
https://www.ebay.com/b/Aquarium-Submersible-Water-Pump/77641/bn_827399
I don’t think you were cut out to be a lawyer. I’ve never met one with a lick of basic engineering chops- you know, real world problem solving skills.
Genius!
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You make me blush…
My career aptitude test during first year college said… “farmer” & “police or military officer” as the top choices.
Living in NY City , farmer was a little out of reach. Police/Military officer in the 60’s… not so much.
Mike
hippy
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Hi Mike,
What I am trying to achieve is being able to spray quicker with better coverage than the 40 psi electric backpack that I am using now. I do not like putting a sprayer on my back. I lug the one I have now. I do not think the range/pressure is the best on the sprayer I am using.
I will be spraying Surround next year for the first time so the sprayer has to be able to handle Surround. I have two places to spray 30 to 40 trees at my home and another 20 to 25 trees on a farm about two miles away. Only 4 or 5 of the trees at my home have any size - the rest are younger trees or smaller trees due to the poor soil. Refilling a tank is not a big issue for me so smaller works. I have found two electric 4 to 5 gallon sprayers that come with carts that can be pushed with 60PSI or better pressure, but the carts do not look like they were made to be pushed over rough ground. I have looked at sprayers on trailers which I could use with the garden tractor at my house. Thought about taking an ATV strap on sprayer and building my own cart. .
If the Northstar does not handle powder well, that is a definite point against it. If you can’t tell I am all over the place as to what I want. Do any of the homeowner/small orchard type sprayers handle powders/Surround well?
I have a 5 gal cart sprayer - you pull it, not push it. I like it a lot, I can do all the trees in like 1/10 the time it used to take me with a pump-up backpack.
But I can’t attest to its use with Surround
What brand of sprayer?
Master Mfg - from Northern Tool
I don’t use Surround, but the biggest problem I have is the oils in EC formulations and the sticker/spreaders eating the valves and diaphrams in the pump. Fimco is the worst. I have one of their gold series pumps on a 60 gal sprayer and have to rebuild the pump every couple years. Piece of junk.
I finally ordered a pump with all Viton seals and diaphrams about a week ago to replace the Fimco.
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What you need to find is a type of pump that can handle the grit of surround. I don’t know if either the diaphragm or the piston pumps available to us can handle that .
Now I am about to get in the weeds…
Look for a sprayer that has a “roller” pump. These pump volume and at pressure See below
If you are handy… just mate it to an electric motor and all you need is some plumbing and spray gun.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/hypro-6-roller-cast-iron-sprayer-pump
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/hypro-4-roller-cast-iron-sprayer-pump
Mike
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Mike,
That looks interesting but I am not sure I have the aptitude to make that type of sprayer pump work. What type of electric engine would work with the shaft on this pump?
What I am thinking about doing is taking the 10 gallon NorthStar Sprayer and rebuilding it with a better pump. This link shows the pumps -
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200631851_200631851
Not sure which pump would be best - is bigger (GPM) always better? With the 10 gallon ATV Sprayer I could mount it on a trailer or put in a pull wagon.
I sprayed my Apple Trees today for aphids and it took 4 gallons. The trees are immature and i have 4 more trees coming next year so I think a 10 gallon tank would be adequate.
Richard
Northern Tool website has a Q & A section. Maybe their reps can better advise.
I would opt for the 15 gallon. You never get the last drop out of the tank and as your trees grow they will take more spray and you will definitely fall victim to the “…I think I can fit that just one new variety I just read about…” syndrome and then you will have a 10 gallon garden decoration.
Also look up http://www.amleo.com/Search.aspx?ss=sprayers
( A.M. Leonard). They also sell sprayers
Mike
Northern Tool makes a $25 agitator that may help: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200028974_200028974
They have a PDF that shows the installation on Northern Tool sprayers. I would expect to loose about half of the pump pressure and flow rate to keep the bypass agitator working. They may have support to help choose the proper replacement pump.