Go BottomFilling a large sprayer
 | kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina 
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2006-07-10 131966
Reading LBrown post on fuel tank and Murf's comments made me think of a sprayer issue I have.
I have a pull field sprayer with a 500 gallon tank. Pouring chemicals into that tank is a real challange for me as you are standing on a 6 foot ladder, reaching over two feet of tank. I had thought of getting about a 10 gallon tank mounted where I could stand on ground and fill it with the chemicals, but then how do you get the chemicals from that tank into the system? I could use a 12 volt pump but that would require the tractor being wire for it so it would not be easy to switch tractor. I had thought about connecting it to the suction hose on the sprayer pump with a cut off valve on the two tanks and letting the sprayers pump push it into the main tank. I could also use air pressure to push the chemicals into the main tank, which means you need to fill up at shop but tank is sufficient size that is where I do.
Your suggestions are appreciated as always.
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 | hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa
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2006-07-10 131968
I used a 500 gallon sprayer for years when I farmed quite a few acres, and over the years I tried several methods of getting the chemicals in the tank including your step ladder method. The method you mention with a small tank plumbed into the suction side of the main sprayer pump, then from the pump into the tank thru your regular return hose worked by far the best. Using air pressure to push the chemicals scares me a bit in case a line or fitting let go you would be showered in raw undiluted pesticide. Best of luck. Frank. ....
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 | Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2006-07-10 131979
They have a chemical injection tank available for most make sprayers or you could add one to yours that allows you to add them from the ground and just hit the valve while the pumps on and it goes into the tank. ....
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| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2006-07-11 131984
Frank,
The air pushing the chemicals I did not like but you put your finger on why.
Art,
The injection tank, would it be a package unit or something you assemble?
Would a small tank with a cut off valve plumbed into the suction be sufficient? Is there a size tank you would two would recommend?
Thanks ....
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| hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa
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2006-07-11 131987
Most newer chemicals are measured in ounces per acre rather than quarts or even gallons as some of the older ones were, so a tank of 15 or 20 gallons should be plenty big. If you were to use a product calling for more volume then just do it twice. After I sucked the chemical in then I usually ran a few gallons of water in the chem tank for a flush a couple times to keep things cleaned up. Even tho this is a pretty safe method always wear protective clothing, (face mask, rubber gloves, etc.), I've had about everything that can go wrong happen, so wear the proper attire and be safe. Frank. ....
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| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2006-07-11 131988
Frank,
Did you find it better to pump the chemicals in at the beginning or towards the middle or end of filling the main tank?
For the most part the chemicals I use are not considered dangerous. That being said none are 100% safe or they would not kill would they? Warning appreciated. ....
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2006-07-11 131989
Two things, first of all, I agree, you do not ever want to use pressure of any kind to move hazardous materials, you only ever use suction.
We only run a few pounds pressure, it's not exactly a pressure washer, but still, not the best for chemicals.
Secondly, anytime you deal with chemicals or pesticides of any kind it is always best to follow a few simple rules, to make the whole process as safe as possible;
1) limit the handling to a bare minimum, less chances to spill,
2) make any connections or lines, permanent, again, it limits the chances of spillage,
3) make sure any modifications have little or no possible chances of causing a problem in the end.
4) try to do all handling in a safe place, i.e. a gravel pad that can be washed down to prevent pets, etc., from getting into spilled product.
To explain 3) a little better, for instance, if you add a line to the suction line, be sure it has some safety mechanism installed to prevent an accidental siphoning of the main tank contents back to the concentrate tank where it could easily overflow and spill to ground.
Overall, I like the idea of a suction line to add the concentrate to the water in the main tank. It is the safest way to do it. This method also gives you a second chance to make sure the mix is right.
Best of luck. ....
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| hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa
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2006-07-11 131992
kthompson; The timing of the adition of the chemicals to the tank isn't critical, just do it soon enough to have time to flush the chemical tank a couple times before the main tank gets full. Some occasions call for the combination of two or more chemicals in a mix. if you get into doing such a thing always check the label and ask your supplier if there is a proper order of addition of the products to the tank, in rare occasions doing the mix in the wrong order can result in a big tank of (cottage cheese). I think some newer chemicals have an anti foam agent in them, but if excess foam starts billowing out the top of a tank while mixing there are anti foam agents that will control that. Happy spraying. Frank. ....
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| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2006-07-11 131997
Murf,
Your Number 3 was a concern I had with the mix tank. Do they make one way valve for chemicals, guess they do, just need to find it, right? I knew it would require cut off valve to prevent flooding the mix tank and that is why I was asking about the timing of adding the chemicals.
Frank,
I like that Happy Spraying line. Can be fun hearing those weeds going ouch. ....
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| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2006-07-11 131998
Kenneth, I wish mine was a little closer, I would take a picture for you of the way the manufacturer set it up.
Basically, the suction line between the main tank and the pump is cut in half, into that gap is inserted a "Y" ball valve, such that one of the tops of the Y goes to the concentrate tank, and the other to the existing intake from the main tank, the bottom of the Y goes to the suction line of the pump. By this method, operating a single ball valve, it is not possible to have both the line to the main tank and the concentrate tank open at the same time, opening the line to the concentrate tank closes the other line and vice versa.
Frank makes a good point about adding some water to the concentrate tank after it drains just to help flush it out.
Our main tank has a drain valve at the bottom for dumping or cleaning it. We generally drain off a few pails of clean water for use in flushing the works before we begin mixing. We also pour one pail of water, in several stages, into the container the concentrate came in to make sure it is also clean for disposal.
Best of luck. ....
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| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2006-07-11 132004
Murf,
Appreciate the picture thought but really think you, Frank and Art have painted a good picture even if no crayons were used. What you three have done is confirmed my orginial thoughts very much. Some times you just want real brains input. Well maybe just a little chuckle there, seriously it is great to have the feedback here.
kt, God Bless you guys. ....
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| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2006-07-11 132007
I'm really glad you could do it without the picture Kenneth, especially since the spray rig is on a job site near New Orleans, La. and I would have to "blow this popsicle stand" for some time to get you that picture!!
LOL.
Best of luck. ....
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| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2006-07-11 132012
Murf,
Since Earthwrks is near there, maybe he could enlarge his circle to take the pictures. LOL for real. Murf, you are needed at the stand for the summer heat. Hang in there.
kt
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| Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2006-07-11 132015
Demco's induction tank is five gallons. Depending on the make of your sprayer they may have an exact fit. The deluxe out fit retails for 849.00 It is a Hypro cleanload, they also have a gravity unit,climbing standard.
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