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Indiana

Can anyone tell me about these, are we talking gas as in an engine???? or propane powered. do they work well for getting fungicides on the bottom of the leaves too???

Steve

11/26/2004 2:19:09 PM

[email protected]

Most folks are using the gasoline powered Solo or Stihl power sprayers. These are built like backpack blowers with a 40cc 2 stroke blower engine. They are best used at less than full throttle to avoid damaging the leaves/vines.

They do an outstanding job & make an otherwise time consuming task much quicker.

11/26/2004 3:53:02 PM

Puyallup, WA

....much quicker! I'd say that it reduced my time by 75%!

11/26/2004 9:20:13 PM

Indiana

Whats the best place to buy one of these they look pretty pricy to me. I was trying to figure out how to modify my leaf blower to do the same thing.

11/26/2004 10:56:44 PM

Puyallup, WA

The Stihl SR 420 was about $525. These machines double as a leaf blower! The sprayer portion is quite complicated in pressurizing the tank.

11/27/2004 12:05:40 AM

Carrollton, Ga.

Moondog,
If you have a Stihl 420 or 340 I believe it is you can buy a kit to convert it. I bought a 420 blower/sprayer already assembled. It has cut my spraying time by 75% also. It makes growing a lot more fun to me. The 340 is just a little bit less powerful blower, but it would be plenty strong enough. The dealer told me you could not buy the 340 already assembled as a blower/sprayer. You would have to get the kit and add it.
Doug

11/27/2004 8:47:13 AM

[email protected]

Steve,

I wouldn't buy something like this online or mailorder unless you or a friend is uniquely qualified to service the thing.

Find a local reputable shop that sells them. If you know someone who works for a local tree service, ask them where the boss get's his Stihl chainsaws. Thats where you want to go.

Shops that stock parts & provide service to hard-core professionals can easily keep a pumpkin hobbyists equipment running smoothly. You might pay $20-$30 more for the unit. But the first time any tool needs warranty service or an obscure hard to find part, that $30 will be long forgotten or else remembered as well spent.

11/27/2004 9:43:04 AM

Indiana

Ebay has some fairly reasonable Im very capable of working on about anything (12 previous years as an aircraft mechanic) so i think ill have to watch ebay thru the winter and pick one up.
Thanks Steve

11/27/2004 10:21:17 AM

[email protected]

You'll be fine then. My advice was aimed at the mechanically challenged.

11/27/2004 12:00:53 PM

Rhode Island

my son and i bought a stihl last year after seeing the fine job it did for joe jutras
they are not cheap ( we paid over five hundred dollars )but a job that was taking us a hour or so before is now done in 10 to 15 minutes
plus the mist is easy to spray on top as well as under the leaves
also used a lot less ingredients which is a money saver down the road

11/27/2004 1:52:11 PM

Oz

is there a type where you can put more space between you and the spray/fog?

11/27/2004 6:37:54 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

I've been looking at these too. I see people talking about stihl and solo. What brands/models are everyone out there using?

11/28/2004 12:39:24 AM

New York

How close can the fogger get to the leaves...before damage occurs? Can you get right up over the plants, or is there a min. distance required to keep things safe? I would assume to get under the leaves one would have to be fairly close. I get bored spraying all the time the "regular" way...this might make things more interesting. Thanks

11/28/2004 1:52:13 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Spraying stinks...a fogger is what I'm getting for Christmas so thanks to Jerry Rose for the idea! Now e-mail me about those questions I had OK?

11/28/2004 6:19:07 AM

Saegertown Pa.

I got a stihl at the beginning of the year best time saving investment I've ever made. You can get wright up to the plants if you want it doesn't seem to harm the leaves. The thing will blow 20 feet so if you don't want to get close to the plant you don't have to.

11/28/2004 7:50:40 AM

Selbyville, Delaware

You can get an electric fogger for under $100. My patch is close to the house, so I'm looking into this.

11/28/2004 11:39:31 AM

Key West, FL

I think I might have to get one of these. Do you have to wear a resperator and stuff when you're spraying with one of these? What kind of precautions would one have to take with one of these?

11/28/2004 1:31:02 PM

Key West, FL

what are you searching under to find these on ebay by the way?

11/28/2004 1:33:06 PM

Oz

always wear lung/eye protection,,
hard hat also when working under AGs!!!!

11/28/2004 1:40:14 PM

Long Island,New York

Im not so sure I'd use a fogger near the house or anyone elses house. The fog is very small particles of chemicals...and being so small can travel a decent distance. One of the benefits of a sprayer is the droplet size doesn't stray too far from the target. Spray a fog and in a gentle breeze (and don't give that that crap about you don't spray in a breeze..lol) it will travel in the house through windows and into your 3 yr olds lungs.....or your nieghbors. Personal responsibility is important....killing yourself is one thing...endangering others is a no-no......G

11/28/2004 2:11:01 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Laura, where can you get one for under $100?

11/28/2004 2:47:52 PM

Selbyville, Delaware

www.bugpage.com
www.pestproducts.com
are two sites that carry them.

11/28/2004 3:18:17 PM

[email protected]

Mist blowers & Foggers are not the same thing.

Foggers atomize pesticides down to the smallest particles & require extremely concentrated formulations that wouldn't be appropriate for plants use. The only materials that can be used in better foggers are emulsifiable concentrates (usually oil based). These machines are used primarily for interior pest control but also have greenhouse uses. Bottom line is they don't get used outdoors.

Mist blowers also utilize lower volume/higher concentration sprays. But they can be safely used with all common pesticides including wettable powders & flowables. Since drift is still more likely than with conventional positive displacement pumps, then greater care is required.

Personal protective equipment is a no-brainer any time we're handling or using pesticides.

But let's consider the other possibility.

Virtually all of these higher velocity sprayers result in increased risk of an "off-target" pesticide occurence. While this might not be much of a problem for the true "rural farm grower" it could pose significant liability for the "suburban backyard grower". Especially if the neighbors windows are open, cooking out, entertaining children outdoors, etc....Drift from a mist blower can easily travel a half mile even in very stil air.

Think about it.

11/28/2004 3:54:18 PM

Key West, FL

hmm, so maybe I wont get one of these.

11/28/2004 4:56:27 PM

huntsburg,ohio

I've had 2 mist blowers over the last 10 years started with a solo now have a stihl 420.Love it.Especially with the agro k can do 12 plants in under a half hour.I spray just before dark when there is little wind.I don't know how you could get better coverage.Kyle as for returning your or any other e mails my home computer is down and hopefully will get fixed in next couple weeks hasn't been working right for months.It hooked me to a out of country site and charged me 80 something bucks.Jerry

12/1/2004 9:42:52 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

A very reputable grower has been using this one with decent results:
http://www.bugpage.com/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=16143&cat=261&page=1

12/1/2004 10:37:04 AM

New York

Thanks everyone for the advice on powered misters...interesting stuff to make things a little easier in the patch.

12/1/2004 11:45:12 PM