Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Backpack sprayer

Good ones?

Pump, not battery.

Will last 5 years perhaps for homeowner occasional use, not commercial, but willing to buy one of that type to get 5 years out of one.

Solo?
Field King?
Chapin (Northern Tool)?
Harbor Freight?

Others?

I've used Solo at some facilities I've worked at, just looking for options/opinions of those "in the know"

I’ve got a 18 volt Ryobi. Holds about 3 1/2 gallons. Has worked very well and has been used quite a bit.

Straps are comfortable to work with. No complaints yet. The pump speed and pressure has a rheostat for adjustment by I keep mine at the max level.

I use Cornerstone 5 for the weed killing mixture. I get it at the farm co-op and buy a box at the time which is 2, 2 1/2 gallons plastic containers of concentrate.

Didn’t mean to go on so long here.

I really like the Stihl SG 20. It has a brass pump that is super easy to maintain and service. It's rebranded for Stihl but used extensively in South America under the brand name (which escapes me). Makes great pressure and has a long stroke compared to other sprayers so less pumping.

Hard to not want to go with a battery after using a few though. My4Sons makes a really good one for about $200. It's great as you can adjust the pressure up and down with a voltage knob that slows the pump down on the fly. Very effective especially spraying weeds in landscapes.

Been using a Flowzone for doing pest control and it's got a few nice features as well, but geared more for spraying houses. Removable batteries (think Makita/Dewalt) make it a bit handier to charge than the My4Sons that plugs directly into the charger.

I’ve put many a mile on solo sprayers. Whatever you get, don’t let them freeze, that is the kiss of death.

I have a Roundup branded one. It has been good over 5 years of use. The straps aren't well padded, so it's a little uncomfortable when full. I'd buy it again.

Thanks for the hints.

If I could find one that will take the same batteries as my Ryobi drill/saw or one that works on the batteries I have for the B&D mower, I'd consider an electric pump one. I'm filled up on charger space where I have them now and don't want to add another brand.

I like the idea of that Stihl one.

Oh, I'll be careful about freezing, as everything up here freezes in winter. Starting about early Sept and not ending until June some years.

Couple years ago, I caught a Harbor Freight special, 3 4gal backpack sprayers for $60. All plastic and I know it wont last yrs and yrs, but so far the 1st one has lasted 2 yrs. Other 2 are still in the boxes.

I get really good use out of Solo. I rinse well after using it and turn the tank upside down to dry it

Jacto makes some good units, as well.

Or get a 3 gal SS can and a CO2 backpack and a wand. Used the same one for 33 years.

Sorry, I just noticed that you said pump not electric..

And what model/brand might that be?

Don't think I've ever seen one, therefor would not know what to look for.

Not a big deal. I'll check the Ryobi one to see if it uses the same batteries as my drill.

My drill, saber saw, pole saw, backpack sprayer and 2 leaf blowers are all 18 volt, same batteries , same chargers.

Just FYI.

Cool!

I bought one a couple of years ago at Lowe's. It's Husqvarna branded. It works great. I spray my apple trees a couple of times a year. I only have 7 and they're semi-dwarfs, about 18 feet I'd say. I also use it for spraying vegetation killer. It's never leaked on my back and very comfortable.

Stihl backpack sprayer.

R&D?

I am a big fan of Solo.

Next question, piston pump or diaphragm pump?

Piston pumps do not like wettable powders. Krovar and Tempo for example. It is my opinion that it is easier to swap out a diaphragm than rebuild a piston pump.

But a good battery powered unit would make all that moot.