Professional Sprayer?

hankhill – posted 19 November 2006 00:05

I was looking at some expensive herbicideat Lesco and it mentioned that it shouldbe applied by “professional applicatorsonly” although they would let me buy it.The label mentions that overlapping swathscan cause severe injury.

So, I was wondering, do professionals havebasically the same sprayer technology ashomeowners? Certainly, pro equipment ismade better, more metal, thicker plastic,etc., but is the functioning really anydifferent? Just wondering whether I’mgoing to be taking a big risk trying toput down an even pattern of this stuff.

(Bermuda invading–only solution is prograss.)

joeearney – posted 21 November 2006 15:35

If you are applying it to common bermuda all you need is MSMA and 2,4d. You may need sedgehammer for nutgrass and corsair for milk weed (depending on where you are). you can spot spray or broadcast. I’ve found that about 1 tablespoon of (msma and 2,4d) per gallon works well in a 2 gallon pump sprayer. I would start with MSMA, and remember they work much slower in lower temps. I’m in the Fort Worth area.

jo*******@ho*****.com

[This message has been edited by joeearney (edited 21 November 2006).]

hankhill – posted 22 November 2006 03:02

huh? I’m trying to kill Bermuda invadingmy St. Augustine. MSMA will kill St. Augustine.

joeearney – posted 22 November 2006 17:03

If your St Augustine is healthy it will kill the bermuda. A little more information might help, like your location.

[This message has been edited by joeearney (edited 22 November 2006).]

[This message has been edited by joeearney (edited 22 November 2006).]

cohiba – posted 23 November 2006 09:34

Getting back to your original question about sprayer technology…I think there are some differences between the sprayers. I think the thing to do, if your serious about your lawn and can afford the few extra $ is to invest in the better equipment. I don’t mean for you to go out and buy a truck mounted unit or anything like that but instead of buying a Sears hand pump sprayer, purchase a 5 gallon Solo back pack sprayer and a two tip (small boom)spray wand.

Having the better equipment is just part of the solution. It would be a good idea to get some training on the equipment. The solo sprayer is meant to be pumped at a slow constant speed while spraying. Not pumped up to max presssure, then spray until you lose all the pressure and repump to max again.

That is not to say that an experienced sprayer cannot do an excellent job with the cheaper equipment. It is sort of like an artist using a paint brush. The cheap brush in the hands of an artist can do amazing things but the expensive brush in a two year olds hand can be a nightmare.

Training and practice are more important than equipment in the end. But why not start with the better brush…………

Tmarley – posted 15 April 2007 06:17

In addition. To prevent overlap, there are products available that will add a color or dye to your spraying chemical so that you can see where you have sprayed.