From your lawn to a field or farm, sprayers are an integral part of keeping green space healthy.
This post will cover everything important about sprayers, look at the many common sprayer types, as well as how to choose the right one. It will touch on reasons to spray and examine some of the chemicals used.
What is spraying?
It is the method of implementing pest-control chemicals and other compounds in agriculture. Dissolved or suspended in water, they are also sometimes used in an oil-based carrier. Farmers manage weeds that could lessen their grain crop. They use glyphosate, a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide, and crop desiccant. Learn more about spraying here.
What types of sprayers are there?
There’s an array of sprayer types. Here are some of the more common:
AGRICULTURAL
Designed to spread fluid onto crops or soil, these are complete spray systems. They need the pressure to push liquid through a sprayer nozzle. Often, they’re used to apply:
- Fertilizer
- Herbicides
- Insecticides
- Pesticides
- Water
ATV SPRAYER
These sprayers distribute across wide or tough-to-reach areas with:
- Fertilizer
- Pesticides
- Water
They reach further and quicker than hand sprayers, mounted on an all-terrain vehicle.
BACKPACK
They use an internal pump to pull liquid out of the chamber through a hose, and out through the nozzle and wand. Motorized systems are more expensive than manual pumps.
BOOM
Mounted on a farming implement or ATV, it comes with many spray tips along both boom arms with even spacing, facing downward.
HANDHELD
They’re often used during the maintenance of small gardens and yards. They can spray:
- Herbicides
- Insecticides
- Pesticides
MIST
Excellent for spraying difficult areas, such as:
- Ditches and ravines
- Fence lines
- Terraces
- Trees and brush areas
- Wet or steep sites
It’s also effective for spraying livestock and hog and poultry building areas.
PASTURE
These are boomless, portable systems. They're for hayfields, roadsides, or other places boom-spray systems can't reach.
SPOT
You can mount it on an ATV or tractor for big spraying jobs, and it can cover large areas with a high-capacity sprayer. Often comes with an adjustable pattern tip for varied coverage.
TOW-BEHIND
For property with landscaping, this reaches grass and plants with water or pesticides. They attach to sit-down mowers and four-wheelers in an array of sizes.
3-POINT
Useful in many agriculture and horticulture applications. A three-point hitch on a tractor allows a spray to vast areas, such as:
- Acre-plus lawns
- Athletic fields
- Crop fields
- Golf courses
- Pastures
How do I choose a sprayer?
The prevailing factor: The size of the area you’re spraying. Lawns and gardens need only handheld or backpack sprayers for enough coverage. Boom sprayers are best for larger areas.
Also consider what the weather conditions, the level or precision needed, type of crop you’re spraying and more. Read more on what to consider when choosing a sprayer here.
Why should I use a sprayer?
Along with making it easier to cover large areas, sprayers distribute potentially harmful substances in a safe way.
For a yard or crop, you need even dispersion and to stay safe if you’re using chemicals.
With a sprayer nozzle, you can achieve better precision and control of your spray when you need it. They also afford the operator space from harmful chemicals.
Spraying with chemicals
Sprayers often irrigate. But they can also distribute chemicals, such as herbicides and pesticides. Herbicides are toxic to plants, used to rid an area of weeds. Pesticides serve the same purpose for insects that could damage or kill crops by eating them.
Chemicals come in three forms:
- Granular
- Liquid
- Powder
Herbicides and pesticides can help promote plant growth and health, but they can also be harmful to you and to your plants. Research their usage and warnings before beginning.
Have questions about sprayers?
We’re here to help. The friendly folks at Agri Supply can answer questions about sprayers and chemicals . Visit today, and compare and save!