Being able to treat individual plants allows gardeners and farmers the ability to apply a wide variety of chemicals, insecticides and supplements in a targeted manner.
For this purpose, a backpack sprayer like this is an invaluable and versatile tool.
It allows selective treatment of specific plants or types of plants without risking damage or incorrect treatment of non-targeted plants.
Because this type of sprayer is entirely portable, you can use backpacks in any terrain you can reach on foot.
The right backpack sprayer is also an excellent tool for use in a wide variety of home and commercial settings.
In this article, we will provide an overview and guide to selecting the right backpack sprayer to suit your purposes.
Read on to jump into our backpack sprayer reviews.
How To Select The Best Backpack Sprayer(s)
It’s important to understand – all sprayers are not created equal. In fact, they come with a wide variety of options and variations.
To be sure of getting a sprayer that fulfills its intended use and provide you with the most value for your dollar, there are some considerations you should keep in mind. Among them are:
- The ability to modify or upgrade the basic unit
- The size and terrain of the area for treating
- The level of effort involved in operation
- The amount of maintenance involved
- Availability of replacement parts
- Typical Usage
- Sprayer Tank Volume
- Pump Type
- Durability
When selecting a sprayer for your home, yard, garden, acreage or commercial use, it is important to consider all the tasks at hand.
If you use a variety of chemicals in several different settings, you may need to invest in several different types of sprayers.
Using several sprayers help prevent co-mingling potentially dangerous chemicals and ensuring you use the most efficient equipment to perform your tasks.
A Good Sprayer Saves Time & Effort
There are many benefits to using a backpack sprayer in the home, garden, farm and commercial settings. Among them are:
- Makes spraying for an extended period (30+ minutes) easier.
- Makes it possible to carry a substantial amount of liquid.
- Provides easy control of application pressure.
Inexpensive, easy-to-use backpack sprayers are a superb solution for hobby farmers, home gardeners, small businesses and weed and pest control operations.
Because of their low price, you may wish to purchase separate sprayers for a wide variety of uses, such as:
- Wallpaper removal
- Mildew control
- Killing Weeds
- Insect and Pest Control
- Deck cleaning
These are just a few tasks you can make easier with a dedicated high-quality backpack sprayer.
Be sure to read all of the information pertaining to the sprayer you plan to purchase to fully understand the model’s uses and care requirements.
Piston & Diaphragm Pump Comparison
Backpack sprayers are available in two basic styles, piston pump, and the diaphragm pump.
The piston pump style usually produces much higher pressure, but it is a sensitive mechanism intended for use with only non-abrasive solutions. Solo makes best selling piston pump sprayer.
A diaphragm pump does not typically produce as much pressure as a piston pump, but it is more durable and can be used with a wide variety of herbicides, pesticides, and other chemical solutions.
Although you can get more pressure (up to 90 psi) using a piston pump, you cannot use as wide a variety of chemicals. This type of pump works with a pumping (up and down) motion inside the chemical tank.
This hand pump motion forces the chemical into the spray wand and allows you to apply it. Unfortunately, abrasive chemicals destroy the piston, so this type of backpack sprayer must be used to disperse only non-abrasive chemicals. If you purchase one, be sure to read and follow all instructions very carefully.
Most popular brands of backpack sprayers (e.g. Field King, Chapin, and Solo) offer diaphragm pump spray units. This is usually the best option in any brand because the diaphragm pump is durable and easy to use.
You can use this type of sprayer for both liquid and wettable powder (WP) applications. Piston backpack pump sprayer cannot handle wettable powders as these powders cause excessive wear and tear and early breakdown.
Diaphragm pumps do not have internal cylinders. With the pump handle as you pump, the movement of the diaphragm causes pressure. This type of pump can be used with herbicides (weed killers) and other abrasive type chemicals.
No matter which type you choose, you must be sure to clean the unit thoroughly after every use by dispersing about half a gallon of clean water through the unit.
Backpack Sprayer Design
Backpack sprayers typically have a large (2-6 gallon) high-density polyethylene holding tank and a small interior tank in which the contents gets pressurized. In this spray tank pump compressed air is implemented to release contents when you engage a trigger. Sprayers may be manually pump powered, battery powered or gas powered.
You can get manual hand pump sprayer in back pack sprayer models; however, there are many good reasons to choose a powered sprayer. In addition to the many different attachments and options you can select when using a powered sprayer, you can also enjoy these benefits:
- A power sprayer makes it easy to take care of spot applications quickly or cover large areas with a minimal investment of time and effort.
- Power sprayers can usually accommodate even more liquid than non-powered sprayers.
- Powered sprayers typically have more optional attachments than non-powered sprayers.
- You can choose from battery powered backpack sprayer or gas powered options.
What You Need To Know About Battery-Powered Backpack Sprayers
A pump type sprayer can be very tiresome if you have a large job ahead of you. A good, battery powered sprayer can save your arms and hands as well as a large amount of time. Investing in a sprayer equipped with a handy rechargeable battery powered garden sprayer can increase your productivity and make your work far more pleasant. A battery powered sprayer can help you take care of small jobs quickly and large jobs easily.
The battery backpack garden sprayer is typically lightweight, held on with a shoulder strap and waist belt, portable, easy, quiet and pleasant to use.
With battery power, you can be ready to work at the drop of a hat without having to worry about buying gasoline, listening to a noisy gasoline engine, carrying gasoline on your back or breathing the fumes. These considerations make battery power a safe and smart choice for both home and commercial use.
When choosing a battery operated garden sprayer, be sure the model you have in mind accepts a standard (as opposed to proprietary) brand of battery. When the time comes to replace your rechargeable battery, you don’t want to be tied to purchasing some costly, oddball battery.
Be sure to keep your batteries charged. Battery powered backpack garden sprayers have plenty of power for all applications when fully charged. You will find this smart, energy efficient choice is up to a wide variety of tasks including applying:
- Various Liquid Chemicals
- Foliar Plant Fertilizer
- Disinfectant
- Natural pesticides like Neem Oil spray
- Herbicide
- Fungicide
Battery operated backpack sprayers are convenient, economical and environmentally friendly. Be sure to send worn out batteries to your local recycling center.
Chapin 63985 Wide Mouth 20v Battery Backpack Sprayer
Chapin 63985 20v Battery Backpack Sprayer Features
with a wide mouth for easy filling and 4-Gallon sprayer tank capacity. The battery-powered backpack can provide pressures at around 35 to 40 PSI and allow users to spray at distances of up to 35 feet. Equipped with a 20-volt Black & Decker lithium-ion battery provides up to 1 hour and 45 minutes of continuous spraying.
A long, extended spraying wand allows you to reach anything in your general proximity. Removable filter ensures the sprayer remains clean.
Capacity – Like the Chapin 61900, the Chapin 63985 can hold up to 4 gallons of spray at one time. This allows it to accommodate small, medium, and large yards. With a 6-inch wide mouth funnel, makes it simple to pour liquids without spilling. This battery-powered backpack sprayer, it can provide up to 1 hour and 45 minutes of continuous use on a single charge and spray a total of about 50 gallons in that time period.
Comfort – Weighing in at around 10 pounds (minus any liquid), the Chapin 63985 is one of the lighter backpack sprayers on the market. Equipped with cushioned shoulder straps as well as a soft back pad, it puts little strain on your body. This allows you to carry the sprayer for long periods of time. The sprayer handle sports a padded, ergonomic grip, keeping it comfortable in your hand while spraying.
Ease of Use – Equipped with a removable filter, the Chapin 63985 captures any debris that comes its way, making it very simple to maintain. A battery-powered sprayer, it can cover anything in your general vicinity. At its maximum, it can spray distances of up to 35 feet horizontally. This will cut down on your total amount of movement, helping you to conserve energy and get the job adequately.
Special Features – Unlike many backpack sprayers, the Chapin 63985 is battery-powered, allowing it to spray at unprecedented distances. Its cushioned sprayer wand handle is equipped with three different nozzles. Each nozzle triggers a different spraying mode, allowing you to adjust for your specific situation. With a spray tank constructed of a durable poly material, which hold ups through just about any type of wear and tear.
Pros
- No Pumping Required
- Battery-powered means for huge spraying distances
- Large easy pour WideMouth design
- 4-gallon spray capacity
- Multi-Stage Filter
Cons
- Included instruction manual doesn’t help much
- Some users experienced leaking
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Hudson 13854 Battery Backpack Sprayer
Key Benefits of Hudson 13854 Battery Back Pack
- Sprays continuously for up to 10 hours on a single battery charge
- PVC power sprayer style hose
- Comfortable thumb-operated poly shut-off valve
- 20” fiberglass/poly spray wand
- Extra nozzles with four different spray settings
The Hudson 13854 Battery Backpack sprayer is a convenient, lightweight sprayer capable of handling larger projects. Its rechargeable battery-powered pump can spray for close to 10 hours when fully charged. Its long spray wand with a curved tip ensures greater accuracy.
The shoulders straps have adjustable pads making it comfortable to carry. The straps are also chemical-resistant and won’t break down from chemical contact. Its large tank opening ensures easy filling. The tank comes with a built-in filter to keep debris and dirt out of the tank which reduces blocking and clogging of the sprayer. The gaskets fitted on the spray wand allows you to spray different chemicals.
Capacity – The Hudson 13854 features a 4 gallon (or 15 liter) capacity translucent tank enabling you to see the volume of chemical left in the tank.
Besides, the tank’s wide opening to make filling easy and reduce spillage of liquids which often leads to wasting of chemicals. The mouth opening is four inches with a screen to filter out debris and dirt.
Ease of Use – This backpack uses a small compressor pump in its base which compresses the fluids in the unit so spray comes out with eough pressure. The pump does not compress the fluid in the whole tank making the Hudson easy to use with little power. It pump runs smoothly giving you a quiet time spraying.
Comfort – The shoulder straps are made of soft materials, chemical resistant and adjustable.
Special Features – The Hudson 13854 comes with a set of four different spray nozzles:
- Long-reach
- Cone
- Dual cone
- Fan
These tips enables you to spray a wide variety of chemicals on different surfaces depending on the area or plant.
The large On-Off Valve thumb operated valve control makes powering the unit on and off a breeze.
Battery charger – comes with an AC charger in the packaging and when fully drained, the battery takes at least nine hours for a full charge.
Pros
- Easy to use and operate
- Curved spray wand tip enhances accuracy in spraying
- Durable and reliable battery
- Ideal for larger projects as it’s comfortable to carry around.
Cons
- The battery takes a long time to charge
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What You Need To Know About Gas Powered Backpack Sprayers
A gas powered backpack sprayer or motorized backpack sprayer can generate more volume than a battery powered one. This is very helpful when you need to disperse a lot of solution over a large area quickly.
A gas powered sprayer also generates quite a bit more power than an electric one. This is good when you need to reach high places or clean dirty surfaces.
If use your sprayer in a remote area, naturally a gas powered sprayer is more portable since you can carry the fuel along and will not need to recharge it.
On the downside, a gas powered sprayer may be a bit more costly to purchase and to run. Operation cost is greatly dependent upon the price of gasoline.
A gas sprayer is a bit larger and may present more storage challenges and hazards since it uses a flammable fuel. You will need to keep gasoline and oil on hand, and this can be hazardous.
Maintenance can be a bit more challenging since you will need to check and replenish the oil and keep the motor tuned.
Gasoline engines are noisy and polluting, and breathing the fumes may be hazardous to the operator. Even so, for some heavy tasks, a gasoline powered sprayer may be your best bet.
What Spray Tank Volume Will Work Best For You?
Keeps these things in mind when selecting tank size. Not the least of these is your own strength! While it may seem smart to choose a sprayer with a 6-gallon capacity so you can cover a lot of ground, you may find carrying 6 gallons of liquid comfortably on your back for any length of time (or at all) difficult.
When choosing tank size, carefully weigh and consider the amount of area you need to spray, the amount of weight you can comfortably carry and the type of application you will typically pursue.
Standard tank sizes are two, three, four and six gallons. Clearly, if you err toward a tank that is too small, you will waste a lot of time refilling it. If you err toward a tank that is too large, you may end up wasting product and possibly injuring yourself.
Overall, the four-gallon tank seems to be the most popular choice. This size tank is large enough to accommodate most jobs and still light weight enough for most people to be able to carry comfortably.
Top Backpack Sprayers For 2019
Chapin 61900 Tree And Turf Pro Backpack
Some of the main Chapin 61900 Tree and Turf Pro features:
- One of the best commercial backpack sprayers. Don’t let the “commerical” scare homeowners away.
- Stainless steel wand
- 4-gallon capacity
- The padded shoulder straps and cushioned back pack
- A 3-stage filtration system
- Removable filter makes clean up easy
- Extended hose and long spraying wand
Capacity – The 4-inch opening makes filling the 4 gallon sprayer an easy task. This allows for quick refills (if required) when spraying yards, gardens and fence lines with small spaces in the suburbs or huge, open fields out in the country. The spray tank is made out of firm, tough and durable poly.
Comfort – The Chapin 61900 is one of the most comfortable backpack sprayers on the market. Equipped with two cushioned shoulder straps as well as a soft, but supportive back pad, feels comfortable even after hours of use. Sporting an easy-to-grip ergonomic spray handle, it feels relaxing and natural in your hand during all points of use. If comfort is your #1 spec, the Chapin 61900 is the perfect backpack sprayer for you.
Ease of Use – Designed with a 3-stage filtration system, the Chapin 61900 does a brilliant job of keeping itself clean. Its filter is removable, making it easy to rinse off and keep clean reducing clogging of sprayer nozzles. Equipped with a wide 4-inch filling spout, it’s beyond easy to fill up without spilling. The strainer basket, does a terrific job of catching any debris.
Special Features – The Chapin 61900 sports a pressure gauge on its sprayer handle, letting you conveniently monitor spraying pressure at all times. With a long, over-extended stainless-steel sprayer wand, this sprayer can reach areas that many backpack sprayers simply can’t. Featuring a virtually non-leak construction, you don’t need to worry about getting yourself covered in harmful chemicals.
Pros
- Long, extended sprayer wand
- Large, 4-gallon spray capacity
- Very comfortable
Cons
- Included instruction manual is subpar
- Sprayer handle lacks flexibility
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Hudson 97157 SP2® Piston Pump BackPack Sprayer
The Hudson 97157 Backpack Sprayer is a piston model pump with a 4 gallon Translucent poly tank. You can fill this model with insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides (even those containing chlorine) without damaging the water reservoir. It’s a great insecticide sprayer.
Capacity – The Hudson 97157 has a 4-gallon poly tank allowing you to see the fill-level at a glance. The capacity is ample, but the weight is light enough to carry around.
Comfort – The spray pistol can be placed into spray-lock position, meaning no more pressure required to keep the trigger squeezed. The harness, straps, and pull tabs allow users to wear the unit on your back, like a backpack, with even weight distribution. This means much less strain on your shoulders, neck, back, and arms.
Easy Fill – Eeasy Clean Up – This model includes a large opening with a strainer allowing you to fill the tank easily with zero spills. Plus, clean-up is a cinch. After all, nobody wants to finish a job, and then have a big cleaning job to follow.
Special Features – The sprayer hose is long, a full 47 inches, making it easy-reach for most projects. Equipped with several nozzles with different spray patterns.
Durable Spray Pistol made of brass and stainless steel with a locking shut-off valve and in-line filter.
PROS: Quality, easy fill/clean-up, long spray hose, several spray patterns, maximum comfort, and good fill capacity. Plus, if ever needed, the pump is repairable on this model.
CONS: First, the handle is for left side hand use only. Second, there are no markings on the side of the tank, so you’ll have to estimate the amount of liquid you’re pouring in based on your knowledge of the tank’s capacity. Both of these cons are very minor and should not stop you from purchasing the product. The bottom line is…this tool would serve you right!
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Field King Professional 190328 No Leak Pump Backpack Sprayer
Field King Professional 190328 Pump Backpack Sprayer Features:
- Called a “No Leak” sprayer
- Equipped with an internal pump ensures chemicals don’t leak
- Four adjustable nozzles allow spraying chemicals in a variety of different ways
- An installed filter basket inside the chemical container catches stray debris
- Sprayer can reach pressures of up to 150 PSI, allowing it to spray long distances
Capacity – At its maximum, the Field King Professional 190328 can hold up to 4 gallons of spray at one time. This capacity makes it great for lawns and gardens of all sizes, whether they be small, medium, or large. Equipped with an inverted spray tank opening, it’s almost impossible to spill any chemical when filling the storage tank. When used at its maximum 150 PSI, a full, 4-gallon tank will last around 30 seconds.
Comfort – Weighting in at around 13 pounds, making the 190328 Field King a little heavier than the Chapin sprayers we’ve reviewed. However, due to its cushioned shoulder straps and soft back pad, it fits comfortably against the back half of your body. An ergonomic handle as well as an easy-to-pull trigger keep your hand and arm as relaxed as possible at all times.
Ease of Use – Overall, the 190328 is fairly easy to use. An internal filtration basket keeps it clean and maintained at all times. It can be easily removed for quick and convenient maintenance. Coming with 4 adjustable nozzles, it’s very easy to screw them off and on. Due to its superb 150 maximum PSI, this sprayer can reach just about any area in its general vicinity. This allows you to stay near motionless, moving around as little as possible.
Special Features – For the most part, the Field King 190328 Professional is a fairly basic backpack sprayer. This backpack’s one notable feature is its Internal No Leak Pump which ensures that harmful chemicals stay exactly where they’re supposed to stay: contained and away from your skin. With an long, extended sprayer wand, this sprayer can reach areas far away from arm span alone.
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Pros
- Internal pressure chamber allows it to spray long distances
- Possesses a no-leak construction
Cons
- Sprayer wand doesn’t lock or shut off
- Requires a great deal of pumping
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Solo 425 4-Gallon Professional Piston Backpack Sprayer
The Solo 425 4-Gallon Professional Backback Sprayer features:
- A piston type backpack sprayer
- Equipped with a hand trigger lock allowing for continuous spray and reduced hand fatigue
- 4 adjustable nozzles to accommodate a series of different spraying applications.
- A piston pump reaches PSIs up to 90
- Can spray long spraying distances
- Equipped with an internal filter to catch stray and unwanted debris
Capacity – The Solo 425 holds up to 4 gallons of spray at a single time, making the 425 right on par with the other sprayers reviewed on our list. This means the Solo 425 can accommodate yards of all sizes, from small, to medium, to large. A 4 ¼ -inch sprayer mouth opening allows you to fill the sprayer without the risk of any spillage.
Comfort – Weighing in at around 14 pounds unfilled, the Solo 425 is a little heavier than other reviewed backpack sprayers. While equipped with padded shoulder straps and a soft back pad, several users reported that it seems to cut into their shoulders. Other users, on the other hand, feel that it is very comfortable. Sporting a narrow and ergonomic wand handle, it’s simple to hold up and direct spray to wherever it you want it to go.
Ease of Use – The Solo 425 comes equipped with a removable filter for convenient and easy maintenance. This filter will catch any debris that comes its way, keeping the spray tank unclogged. Coming with 4 adjustable, screw-on nozzles, it’s ridiculously simple to switch from application to application. Its piston pump system allows it to spray long distances (about 25 feet) without much effort.
Special Features – As far as special features go, the Solo 425 is about average. It possesses a piston pumping system for high spraying power and easy use. Made out of tough, durable plastic, its spray tank can withstand a great deal of wear and tear. With a spray trigger lock, it can spray continuously without any constant squeeze from your hand. In addition, this sprayer comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros
- Comes with 4 adjustable nozzles
- Possesses a spray trigger lock
- Capable of spraying long distances
Cons
- On the heavy side
- Shoulder straps are not of the highest quality
- The website is outdated and difficult to find information if parts are needed.
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Roundup 190327 No Leak Pump Backpack Sprayer
Key Features of The Roundup 190327
- 4-gallon spray tank makes it great for small, medium, and large sized yards
- Capable of reaching pressures of 150 PSI, enabling spraying across long distances
- Internal pump ensures chemicals don’t spill down your back and shoulders
- Comes with 4 nozzles to accommodate a variety of different spraying applications
Capacity – Like many backpack sprayers, the Roundup 190327 comes with a 4 gallon spray tank. The 4-gallon size is a popular one for yards and gardens of sizes. The 4-inch tank opening, it’s easy to fill the sprayer without spilling. At its maximum, the sprayer can build up pressures of 150 PSI. However, reaching that pressure requires a great deal of pumping. It’s easiest to use a small number of pumps and spray at short distances.
Comfort – This Roundup backpack sprayer weighs in at around 12 pounds, meaning that’s relatively average in terms of weight. It’s equipped with cushioned shoulder straps as well as a soft back pad for full support and comfort. For grip purposes, its sprayer wand is equipped with an ergonomic and narrow handle allowing the you to trigger its spraying power with little to no effort.
Ease of Use – The Roundup 190327 comes with four different adjustable nozzles, allowing for seamless use with a number of different spraying applications. A lockable spray trigger allows spraying without having to continuously squeeze the handle. This will keep you comfortable and relaxed throughout its use. With a removable filter included, it does a terrific job of keeping itself neat and maintained. It only needs to be removed for routine maintenance.
Pros
- 4-gallon spray capacity
- Can reach pressures of up to 150 PSI
- Internal pump design ensures that it does not leak
Cons
- A little expensive for a non-battery sprayer
- Must be pumped frequently
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Chapin 62000 Tree/Turf Pro Commercial Backpack Sprayer
Chapin 62000 Tree/Turf Pro Commercial Backpack Sprayer Features:
- Equipped with a Flow Control Valve Technology for nearly constant spray stream
- 3-stage filtration system keeps spray material clean
- Relatively light weight makes it easy to carry and move around
- Durable plastic construction can withstand a great deal of wear and tear
Capacity – Like all the other backpack sprayers on our list, the Chapin 62000 can hold up to 4 gallons of spray at one time. Capable of delivering a constant spray stream at 21 PSI, this makes the 62000 sprayer a good choice for those using it as an herbicide and backpack weed sprayer.
Comfort – While it’s equipped with a padded back as well as cushioned shoulder straps, several users have complained about how uncomfortable this sprayer is. They shared how the harness attached to its sprayer tank in an odd way, making it feel bulky and uncomfortable while operating the sprayer.
Ease of Use – Sporting a 3-stage filtration system, the Chapin 62000 does a brilliant job of keeping itself clean. With 3 adjustable nozzles and an easy-to-grip handle, this backpack is powered by Control Flow Valve Technology for constant spraying. This allows it to cover a lot of distance quickly
Special Features – The Control Flow Valve Technology, allows you to have complete control over Chapin 62000 spraying capabilities. Whether you want to spray continuously or sporadically, it will accommodate you. The spray tank is made out of tough, durable molded plastic, it can withstand quite a bit of wear and tear.
Pros
- Provides continuous, low-effort use
- Equipped with 3-stage filtration system
- Compatible with all modern lawn chemicals
Cons
- Poor included instructions
- Uncomfortable strap system
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What Are The Top Brands In Backpack Sprayers?
Some of the most popular brands are:
- Chapin: This company was started in the US in the late 1800s. They offer a wide variety of backpack sprayers for every application at competitive prices from a vast array of retailers. Customer service is offered through their website.
- Field King: For over 125 years DB Smith has been a leading innovator in liquid technology. They introduced the first compressed air sprayer in 1888. They produce high-quality backpack sprayer for home and professional use. Sprayers sold under the Roundup, D.B. Smith, Field King and Indian brands,
- Solo: Established in 1948 in Germany (and in the US since 1964) this company offers a solid selection of high-quality backpack sprayers with a full one year warranty. Solo backpack sprayers and other products are available at more than 1000 retailers in the US at competitive prices. 24-hour customer service is available through their website.
- Birchmeier: This is a well-established company that produces easy care, rebuildable, long-lived backpack sprayers that come with a two-year warranty. More at their website
- Hudson: This company as been in business for over a century and produces a wide variety of backpack sprayers in factory settings around the world. Company website
All of these brands are well-established, well-made, produce durable sprayers that are easy to operate and comfortable to use.
Special Considerations
The makers of backpack sprayers typically take steps to ensure the ease and comfort of the users. This means the sprayers have become more adjustable and adaptable. Additionally, many sprayers can be improved and upgraded with optional parts and universal adaptations. Here are a few things you may wish to consider when purchasing or customizing your sprayer.
Comfort: Be sure that the shoulder straps and waist belt that come with the sprayer you are considering are well padded and able to accommodate the weight of the tank comfortably. If the standard straps are not adequate, find out if the manufacturer offers an upgraded option.
Spray Wand Length & Type: It’s important that the unit you choose has a high-quality wand of the right length for your use. Otherwise, you will encounter a great deal of frustration as you try to accomplish your tasks.
If the spray wand is too short or too long for the purpose at hand, you will have difficulty attaining accurate application results. If the unit you purchase does not have an appropriate spray wand for your use, you should be able to switch it out.
Poor quality spray wands may tend to leak. Look for one made of high-quality plastic, metal or stainless steel, and can be outfitted with TeeJet spray nozzles. These adjustable nozzles make it possible for you to perform a greater number of tasks.
Some spray handles include a small pressure gauge so the operator will know the psi.
Be Safe!
A backpack sprayer is a simple tool helpful in making a wide variety of tasks easier; however, don’t let the simplicity deceive you. Using a sprayer incorrectly can be dangerous. Coming in contact with the solution directly, through blowback or overspray can be quite damaging. Failure to follow manufacturers instructions can cause damage to the unit.
Avoid Leaking: A well-made sprayer is designed so only aspects of the unit resistant to insecticides and chemicals will come in contact with the solution being sprayed; however, some types of sprayers have problems with the seals around the lid on top.
When this happens, the spray material can leak out onto your clothing and skin. Be careful to maintain an upright posture when spraying and be sure to wash off any spills right away and practice personal protection.
Oil Resistance: If you plan on using basal oils to control woody plant overgrowth, be certain all parts of the sprayer can resist an oil-based carrier. If not, the oils will gradually destroy the sprayer components.
Taking Care Of Your Backpack Sprayer
A well-cared for sprayer can provide many years of good service; however, neglecting your sprayer you see it break down in astonishingly rapid fashion. Be sure to empty the sprayer at the end of each day’s use. Dispose of or store any leftover spray solution correctly. Run at least half a gallon of fresh, warm water through your sprayer to wash it out thoroughly.
If you store your yard and garden equipment in an unheated outbuilding in winter, be sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions to winterize your sprayer.
Generally speaking, you would put antifreeze in the tank to prevent damage; however, double-check to be sure this is in compliance with instructions for your specific unit. Better still, store your sprayer in an area where it will be safe from freezing.
At the end of winter, you will want to be sure your unit is ready to get back to work. Clean it and lubricate O-rings and seals as recommended by the sprayer manufacturer. If you use your unit a great deal, you may need to lubricate again one or more times during the growing season.
The Right Equipment Lightens Your Workload
When you take the time to evaluate your needs and select your backpack sprayer(s) carefully, you can be sure of lightening your workload and working more efficiently.
Good choice and proper technique add up to savings in time, money and frustration. Using the right sprayer for the right task minimizes waste and increases effectiveness. Good equipment is safer and easier to use.
Before taking on any spraying task, thoroughly read and understand the instructions that come with your equipment. Also be certain to read the mixing and measuring instructions and all precautions that come with any chemical, fertilizer or other solution you may use.