Before writing this article, I tested over a dozengarden sprayersmodels from various manufacturers. I wanted to compare them, find the differences and checkwhat parts of the sprayers are worth paying attention tobefore buying them. Most of all, however, I was looking for a sprayer that would be affordable, yet reliable, durable, and well-made. My search turned out to be very fruitful. I found the equipment inexpensive and at the same time offering everything a good sprayer should have. Seewhich sprayer to choose for your gardenand what to pay attention to when buying!
Garden sprayers from different manufacturers
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Types of garden sprayers
Garden sprayersfor amateur use on plots and in home gardens can be divided into 3 groups: manual, shoulder and backpack.
1. Hand sprayers
Hand sprayers are the smallest and cheapest devicesWe operate them by holding them directly in our hands. Their tanks can hold 0.5 to 2 liters of liquid. Due to their small capacity, they are enoughfor spraying single, small plants grown at home, on a balcony or terraceThey can also be used for sprinkling leaves with water and for household tasks such as washing windows. In the garden, they can be useful for spraying when a disease or pest has attacked single, short plants and there is no point in preparing more spray liquid.
In the simplest hand sprayers, the so-calledin pulse sprayers , the liquid is sprayed only when the lever is pressed. Therefore, they require quite quick work with your hand.
For this reason, I recommend adding from a few to a dozen zlotys and buying apressure manual sprayerIn such a sprayer, first increase the pressure with a pump, and then by pressing the lever, we can spray continuously. It is much more comfortable and less tiring for the hands.
When buying a hand sprayer it is worth paying attention to its quality. While pulse sprayers are most often equipped with plastic nozzles, when buying a pressure sprayer, you can choose a model with a more durable and precise brass nozzle. In most home and terrace-balcony applications, however, plastic nozzles are sufficient.
Thethe ability to adjust the spray jet(nozzle with a knob) and the presence of a filter at the inlet of the tube suction.The filter prevents dirt from entering and clogging the nozzle. If the sprayer tank is translucent, it will be easier for us to control the amount of liquid in the tank.
2. Arm sprayers
As their name suggests, they are devices that are attached to the shoulder by a belt. Thanks to this, we can move with a tank with a larger capacity. Machines with a capacity of 3 to 12 liters are available. In practice, however,5 or 8-liter arm sprayers are most often bought.This capacity is sufficient for a small garden, and at the same time the sprayer filled with liquid is light and easy to move around with. We can successfully spray them on larger groups of plants, lawns and tree crowns.
Garden sprayers - shoulder sprayer
In this group, all sprayers I found werepressure sprayers We force air into the sprayer tank with the help of a pump. I will present a more detailed description of the useful features of these sprayers on the example of GREENMILL pressure sprayers, whose design clearly stands out from the competition. They have everything a good sprayer should have.
Garden sprayers from different manufacturers
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Protection against excessive air pressure in the tank is provided by a safety valve.In principle, every pressure sprayer must be equipped with it. However, it is worth knowing that the valve protruding from the sprayer housing is very easy to damage (a common fault). Thereforeit is worth choosing a sprayer in which the safety valve is hidden in the recess of the tank housingThis type of safety valve protection I have found only in GREENMILL sprayers.
In the GREENMILL sprayer, the safety valve is protected by a cover
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
The better sprayers also have a very usefulpressure gauge that shows the current pressure in the tank. The lack of a pressure gauge means that when pumping the sprayer, we work with the pump up to a clear resistance. If we do not sense this moment, the safety valve will be activated.The pressure gauge allows you to control the pressure in the sprayer tankon the indicator and stop pumping at the right moment. Therefore, we are not only reliant on our own feeling and the safety valve.
The pressure gauge is also useful when liquid does not come out of the nozzle, although it is still in the sprayer tank. Then we have two options - either something is clogged or the pressure in the tank has completely dropped.The pressure gauge will help to determine if the reason is a pressure dropIn the price group of sprayers up to PLN 100, GREENMILL was the only one equipped with a pressure gauge!
The pressure gauge shows the pressure in the tank
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
In pressure sprayers, the liquid escapes through the nozzle at the end of the lance.When buying a sprayer, it is worth paying attention to the quality of workmanship and the possibility of adjusting the nozzleBy turning the nut on the nozzle, we can set the strength of the stream and the degree of its spraying. All sprayers that I tested offered this option.
Adjustable nozzle in the GREENMILL sprayer
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
It is also worth choosing a model with a longer telescopic lance, which will allow you to reach the tree crowns.Some manufacturers also offer spare nozzles or gaskets to be replacedWhen in the store, let's ask about the availability of these accessories, because nothing is forever, and it is a pity to throw the device away because of one damaged gasket. Again, a good example in this respect is GREENMILL, which comes complete with spare seals for 5L and 8L pressure sprayers. It is also possible to buy a spare lance with a nozzle.
GREENMILL sprayer with accessories included
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
The GREENMILL sprayers have one more feature. Well, for some sprayers with short lances, you can only buy quite expensive telescopic lances.GREENMILL makes our lives easier and lowers the costs of extending the lance by adding a light fiberglass lance extension with the sprayer
Thanks to the extension of the lance, we can reach the crowns of the trees
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
It is of great importance not only because of the possibility of reaching the crowns of higher plants, but also because of the safety of spraying with plant protection products.Well,most reasonably priced sprayers have short lances that do not meet legal requirements and do not have approvalsManufacturers use such a trick that they inform that sprayers are used to spray plants (by default - with water). They don't mention the use of plant protection products.
On the other hand, GREENMILL adds a lance extension so that the resulting lance length meets all requirements.GREENMILL 5L and 8L sprayers are designed for spraying with chemical plant protection products, and their manufacturer took care of every detailIn addition, for less than PLN 20 you can buy an additional lance extension and even more a lance lengthen. This is definitely a cheaper solution than buying a telescopic lance.
3. Backpack sprayers
The last group are backpack sprayers. The main difference between backpack and shoulder sprayers is the way you carry them. We put the backpack sprayers on the back, just like the backpackThis allows you to move freely with an even larger tank filled with liquid. Backpack sprayers with a capacity of 12 to even 20 liters are available on the market, which allows you to spray larger areas of crops from one tank. These devices can also have a higher working fluid flow (up to 1.8 l / min).
Backpack pressure sprayer
Fig. depositphotos.com
When working with the knapsack sprayerfrom time to time move the pump drive lever, located on the side of the tank. It is worth noting here that there are devices adapted to operate the right- and left-handed lever, so everyone will find a solution for themselves, regardless of whether they are right- or left-handed. PAn example of a universal sprayer that can be operated by both right- and left-handed peopleis the 16L GREENMILL knapsack sprayer
16L GREENMILL backpack sprayers
Photo. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
The mentioned sprayer has several other functionalities that are worth paying attention to when buying a backpack sprayer. First of all, it is along lance, which is 90 cm when fully unfoldedThere is a pressure gauge next to the lance handle, which allows us to conveniently control the pressure in the sprayer tank. The pump has an integratedagitator, which automatically mixes the liquid in the tank during pump operation
The pressure gauge located at the lance handle allows you to constantly monitor the pressure in the sprayer tank
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
When buying a knapsack sprayer, pay attention to thewide infusion, which will allow you to resign from the use of a funnel , and a sieve to prevent dirt from entering and clogging the nozzle.
Wide inlet with a strainer in the GREENMILL knapsack sprayer
Photo. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
When buying a backpack sprayer, it is worth choosing a model within the set you will get several types of nozzlesfor various types of spraying. Our GREENMILL backpack sprayer is equipped with 4 different nozzles:
- conical nozzle(for most fruit, garden and nursery crops, for spraying plants in single rows)
- double conical nozzle(for most fruit, garden and nursery crops, spraying in two rows)
- flat jet nozzle(for spraying low plants, fields, herbicides)
- 4-spray adjustable nozzle(for spraying tall trees, disinfecting, special applications)
Various types of nozzles in the GREENMILL knapsack sprayer
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
The 16L GREENMILL knapsack sprayer is also supplied by the manufacturerset of spare gaskets and service accessories , and if necessary, we can buy a spare telescopic lance with a handle, trigger and nozzle. All this means that theGREENMILL backpack sprayer will meet the expectations of every gardenerand will be perfect for large gardens where smaller arm sprayers are not enough.
Use and maintenance of sprayers
Before you start using the sprayer, be sure to read the instruction manual attached to it. Below I present only a few general rules concerningusing garden sprayersEach time this knowledge should be verified with the content of the manual for a specific device.
Bothbefore the first use of the sprayernewly bought and after winter storage of the sprayer, it is advisable torinse the liquid system with clean water and check the tightness of all elementsIf there are problems with by moving the safety valve head out, put 2 or 3 drops of silicone oil between the head and the valve body.Lubrication of the safety valve and the pump piston ring , with regular use of the sprayer, should be performed several times during the season (obligatory before the first use after a winter break).
During use, it may happenthe sprayer nozzle is cloggedThen the nozzle should be unscrewed and all its elements rinsed with a strong stream of water. You can also use a soft brush. Under no circumstances should you blow out the nozzle with your mouth, as this may cause poisoning! I pay special attention to this error, because unfortunately it happens quite often. To reduce the risk of clogging the sprayer elements, pour the liquids into the sprayer tank through a funnel with a strainer , which will retain at least some of the contamination.
And when you buy a new sprayer, check if the nozzle can be unscrewed. A good example here are the previously mentioned GREENMILL 5L and 8L pressure sprayers, in which, after unscrewing the adjusting nut on the nozzle, the sprayer can be removed from the inside.This allows you to thoroughly clean the nozzle
Dismantling the nozzle in the GREENMILL sprayer
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Remember that before unscrewing the pump, e.g. to pour a new portion of the liquid, always let the air out of the sprayer. We will do this by pulling the safety valve head.Deflate the air each time after finishing work, and then clean the sprayer by rinsing its tank with clean water(repeat the rinsing several times).Please note that the rinse water will contain a small amount of liquid remaining in the sprayer. Therefore, it must not be poured onto the plot (it should be sprinkled on previously sprayed plants). Be careful not to endanger people or contaminate the groundwater.
At this point, it should also be mentioned that even a very thorough, multiple rinsing of a garden sprayer will not remove all the chemicals from inside it. That is whysprayers used for spraying chemicals must not be used for other purposes in the householdRemember also that the sprayer used for spraying herbicides cannot be used for other plant protection treatments, because even a small amount of herbicide remaining in the sprayer tank can be dangerous to plants. In this caseyou need a separate sprayer for herbicides
After finishing work with the sprayerand thoroughly cleaning the device, store it in a warm, dry place.If the sprayer was used for the last time in the season,the sealing ring on the pump piston and the safety valve should be lubricated with silicone oilRemember to protect the place of storage of the sprayer against access of bystanders, especially children.
Note!Garden sprayers used for chemical plant protection must not be stored in rooms where there are food products. A common mistake is, for example, leaving the sprayer in the gazebo, where meals are also eaten.
Safety when spraying
Somethe rules for spraying in allotment gardens are specified in the PZD regulationsIt says, among others. about the fact that chemical plant protection treatments can be performed only with preparations according to the selection determined for a given year by the National Council of the PZD. A protective treatment may only be carried out when it is possible to ensure the safety of people and horticultural crops both on the plot and neighboring plots.Before using plant protection products, you must warn your neighbors.
Of coursefollow the instructions for use of the spraying agentRemember that both the preparation of the liquid and the spraying itself should always be done in protective clothing. Spraying is best done in the morning or evening - in conditions of windless weather, while exercising particular caution.
