Author Topic: Hand pump sprayers  (Read 9737 times)

Offline bonneyman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3953
Hand pump sprayers
« on: November 14, 2018, 08:25:10 PM »
I use pump sprayers for alot of tasks. Applying homemade weed killer, de-icer for multiple vehicles, various cleaners for A/C's, etc. Thus I can't have too many pump sprayers around
Since I need 2-3 different cleaners for different coils, I found it easier to have separate sprayers set up rather than one sprayer and constantly be rinsing and switching between cleaners. Many problems can be traced to clogged nozzles and leaking check valves. I've accumulated various brands of sprayers - and lo and behold they don't all take the same check valve diaphragms. Though they look the same there are minor differences in thickness, curvatures, and materials that don't interchange between brands or handle all chemicals the same. I think I've used black, brown, gray, red, white, and blue rubber check valves.  :-[
After much research I figured out which ones I needed and called the websites and had 5 of each sent to me. Cost a bit - at $1.50 each (or more) plus some shipping it adds up fast. But now if I'm on a job right in the middle of spraying and the thing quits, I have spare valves in the truck. I figured I'd post my findings here in one place - maybe it'll help you guys out. I'll dig my parts bin out and my sprayers and get the info posted (probably time to change out the check valves anyway!)

One thing I can say is all the manufacturers recommend (actually, they expect) that you rinse the sprayer out and let it dry after each use! If not, the diaphragms tend to break down and dissolve. It's a pain but it'll make them last alot longer.

I'm gonna try and dig out my sources, so you can buy the check valves individually. Though many companies are only making the diaphragms available in a kit, which is more expensive.
« Last Edit: November 14, 2018, 09:12:54 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3953
Re: Hand pump sprayers
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2018, 08:26:22 PM »
The best pump sprayers are the professional line by B&G. Stainless steel tanks, brass pump assembly, brass hand valves and parts, really nice. Alot of pest control companies use them. But they're not cheap!
This is the one I have.
http://bgequip.com/primeline/

Check valves are Viton rubber in brown.
https://www.thepartworks.com
« Last Edit: November 14, 2018, 08:32:25 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3953
Re: Hand pump sprayers
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2018, 08:28:12 PM »
Chapin and Gilmour are two brands that are found in places like Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace Hardware. The homeowner grade that I use are plastic tanks, plastic pumps, plastic hand valves and nozzles. Lighter and cheaper than B&G, but they definitely don't last as long. And each takes their own specific check valve.

Chapin: https://chapinmfg.com/Product/slug/chapin-41330-3-gallon-industrial-poly-water-supply-tank-sprayer

Chapin parts: Check valve is red or brown Viton, depending on model.
http://www.sprayer-outlet.com/Chapin-Sprayer-Gaskets-Seals-O-Rings.htm
https://www.domyown.com/chapin-pro-kit-seal-kit-65368-p-841.html

Gilmour: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gilmour-2-5-Gallon-Plastic-Tank-Sprayer/3107743

Gilmour parts:
http://www.sprayer-outlet.com/Gilmour-Sprayer-Parts.htm
« Last Edit: November 14, 2018, 09:00:48 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3953
Re: Hand pump sprayers
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2018, 08:47:00 PM »
Solo and Hudson are two other fairly well-known brands, though I've never used either of them.

Solo check valve: Black rubber
https://www.gemplers.com/product/0094308-1/Solo-Umbrella-Valve-post-1998-models
« Last Edit: November 14, 2018, 08:51:05 PM by bonneyman »

Offline J.A.F.E.

  • Resident Alien
  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2611
Re: Hand pump sprayers
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2018, 09:14:56 PM »
Some really good information - thank you!

If you happen to take some pix they'd be a welcome sight.
People who confuse etymology and entomology bug me in ways I can’t put into words.

Offline ken w.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 678
Re: Hand pump sprayers
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2018, 09:27:52 PM »
I also use a lot of hand sprayers. I went to the cheap 2 pack they sell at tractor supply. Most of them wont survive a winter in NY if you forget to empty them. I think I have about 30 of them now. Most are 1 1/2 gallon. It doesn't matter if you get the most expensive one or the cheap one , you need to maintain them or they will fail. I put everything in them such as pesticides , herbicides , kerosene . fertilizers and so on.

Offline DeadNutz

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2985
Re: Hand pump sprayers
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2018, 10:01:27 PM »
I use a Solo 4 gallon backpack and 15 gallon tank on the front of the quad. I run plenty of clear water through them after use and never leave my nuclear mix in them. Sometimes I will mix up a batch in a plastic spray bottle to hit weeds in the 10' x 55' space between the shop and house.

Offline slip knot

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2586
Re: Hand pump sprayers
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2018, 10:23:00 PM »
I've got several different spray tanks but what really makes them great is the spray wand. I use a Teejet hand valve setup. its about $60 for the complete wand but it'll last for years. Each tank is set up with a water hose connection and I can swap wands between tanks. Teejet makes some good stuff


.https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=teejet++hand+valve&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ateejet++hand+valve


Offline bonneyman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3953
Re: Hand pump sprayers
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2018, 09:07:15 AM »
That TeeJet looks pretty nice. I like brass whenever I can get it - especially in the hand wand.

Here's a exploded view of a B&G rig.

https://store.doyourownpestcontrol.com/bg-equipment/bg-sprayer-parts-list#

Offline highland512

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1020
Re: Hand pump sprayers
« Reply #9 on: December 07, 2018, 08:31:52 AM »
Im interested in this homemade weed killer recipe. Does it work good? Im not opposed to Glyphosate, but I am opposed to spending $60 for 2.5 gal.

Offline bonneyman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3953
Re: Hand pump sprayers
« Reply #10 on: December 07, 2018, 09:49:47 AM »
Im interested in this homemade weed killer recipe. Does it work good? Im not opposed to Glyphosate, but I am opposed to spending $60 for 2.5 gal.

I got it off of Utube, and modified it a bit to get good performance.

1 gallon of white vinegar, 1 cup of table salt, and 2 tablespoons of Dawn Blue dishwashing detergent.

Spray it on weeds and grass in the morning - by the afternoon it'll all be dried up and brown.
It also kills fire ants, spiders, beetles, grasshoppers - just about everything I've sprayed it on dies. And it's not a petrochemical or organic phosphate poisoning the enviro for decades - it's just vinegar and salt (i.e. salad dressing)

I don't know but I think the chemistry behind this mixture is: the acid in the vinegar burns the plant and bugs. The salt is corrosive too, and also acts as a dessicant. (There may even be some small ionization going on with the salt, and the free chlorine bleaches the plant leaves and poisons the pests). The Dawn slows down the evaporation so the solution acts longer, and it cuts through any natural oils to allow the acid to get to the pest innards.
This makes it imperative to rinse out the pump sprayer after use - this nastiness will destroy the check valves and pistol grip seals.

One recipe replaced the table salt with Epsom salt - didn't seem to work as well for me in killing power, but it does stain the concrete cracks and does seem to stick around longer. Been aching to try salt substitute (potassium chloride) for the table salt - it's a bit expensive to use a whole cup. But I'm bettin it'll really crank up the nasty factor on pests!
« Last Edit: December 07, 2018, 09:52:39 AM by bonneyman »

Offline highland512

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1020
Re: Hand pump sprayers
« Reply #11 on: December 07, 2018, 10:01:56 AM »
no water dilution? Is the vinegar the only liquid? I run a 20 gal sprayer, do you think they will look at me weird at walmart buying 20 gal of white vinegar?  :))

Offline bonneyman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3953
Re: Hand pump sprayers
« Reply #12 on: December 07, 2018, 01:20:32 PM »
no water dilution? Is the vinegar the only liquid? I run a 20 gal sprayer, do you think they will look at me weird at walmart buying 20 gal of white vinegar?  :))

No added water, just the vinegar.

Would it look weird? Maybe. Just tell them you're cooking crack, and they'll probably just yawn.  :))