Best Sprayer for starting out

[Stephen M.]

I've used Solo almost exclusively for 17+ years. The piston type are better than the diaphram type and last longer. The type that has a pressure guage attached to the spray wand cost more but are not necessarily better than the type without it. I have found that the internal pressure adjustment (4 positions) is actually better than the pressure guage on the handle.

Our local Cenex farm store has sold Solo for around $90 for years. Last month they actually had a sale on them for $67 each. That was an excellent price so I bought 3 of them. It's easier to buy new at that price than to buy replacement parts and fix.

[Winsser Care]

Has anyone seen this brand sprayer? it is on ebay for 30 bucks and was thinking about buying one. should i go for solo for a few (35) bucks more?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20540&item=4322627050&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Jordan

[Alpine Naturescapes]

Blackshirt,
"Does anyone just use granular for everything except certain applications like Broadleaf?"

Yeah, I find the granular gives more flexibility with soil correction. Where you are at this may not be a big issue though. But you pretty much have to use it with shrubs anyway. Get a decent commercial spreader. They make the job a lot faster.

I use a backpack for lawn weed spot spraying. This also gives more flexibility. Actually, I have a small arsenal of backpack sprayers. I have a Solo piston, which needed a new seal this year, and a Solo diaghram, which is better for powders. I highly recommend a sprayer with an agitator though for the lawn. There is a "Roundup" one I got from Lowe's. It is actually my favorite. I think the same company makes Lesco's. I also have a Hudson which I bought from Lowe's. Seals seem to wear out, but they are cheap. I use it for weed spraying in beds. Folds up more compact. Don't know why but I kinda like it. ITs lighter, and doesn't get tangled up with other equipment like our others. I highly recommend separate sprayers for the lawn, weeds in beds, and for spraying trees. Otherwise you will waste tons of time washing, mixing, etc.

This gives me a lot more flexibility from having to have a separate spray truck or trailer. I don't have enough fert accounts to justify it either.

[bobkessler]

I have read about hand sprayers, backpack sprayers, etc. but I am hoping to get some specific suggestions on the type and brand of sprayer I should get. I will just be doing residential lawns for this year and probably next. The only place around here to get anything related to herbicide/fertilizers is Lesco. Before I go in there could anyone give me some information about the sprayers they carry and which one(s) might fit my needs.

Thanks

We kind of used them all. Solo and Birchmeir come to mind. Just go ahead and spring for the $125 or whatever they are now. Remember backpacks are kind of limited to bed and spot spraying. Yeah you can use one to spray an entire 3.000 S.F. lawn but the next day you can't move your arm.
By the way if you hunt around you might find a battery operated one.

[Alpine Naturescapes]

We kind of used them all. Solo and Birchmeir come to mind. Just go ahead and spring for the $125 or whatever they are now. Remember backpacks are kind of limited to bed and spot spraying. Yeah you can use one to spray an entire 3.000 S.F. lawn but the next day you can't move your arm.
By the way if you hunt around you might find a battery operated one.

I do a 2 acre account with my BP sprayer. Hardly a weed on it. It's the "round-up" one.