Sprayer - how much do you use yours?

just do it

As you might have seen on another thread I'm thinking of getting a sprayer after having to wait a week and nearly missing out on an ideal spraying window for a post-emergence spray.

So I'm wondering how often in a year do you take yours out? Being a wet farm there will always be rushes. But some lads seem to give a regular enough spray to grassland to reduce weeds. Make sense. Also I'd love to spray most of the grazing land (i.e. most of the farm!) with MCPA but don't want to do it all at once. So having your own sprayer allows you that flexibility.

Anyway I'm interested to hear what lads use their sprayer for and how often.

restive

I did alot of spraying last year when i bought it. I cleared a couple acres of rushes and sprayed a meadow when weather allowed it, docs mainly. This year I had less to do and i went back over some of the rushes where patches remained. I intend to spray around by some ditches that were cut back. But once the main jobs were done i expect to use it just keep things under control. It will be done when I have spare time but spraying is not a priority any more.

just do it

restive wrote: »

I did alot of spraying last year when i bought it. I cleared a couple acres of rushes and sprayed a meadow when weather allowed it, docs mainly. This year I had less to do and i went back over some of the rushes where patches remained. I intend to spray around by some ditches that were cut back. But once the main jobs were done i expect to use it just keep things under control. It will be done when I have spare time but spraying is not a priority any more.

So after year 2 do you think it's worth having your own?

Nekarsulm

Unless you are buying some super wide and hi tech model with all sorts of electric controls, your basic costing between 1500 and 2000 Euro is hardly worth selling after 2 years. You may get 1000 or 1200 for it, but whats the point? As soon as its sold, you will find you need it again, and the 1200 euro will be gone too....... just you won't quite know what you spent it on!

Had no sprayer here for almost 10 years, and a serious problem with rushes and every kind of dirt has built up. Got a fixer upper on D-Deal last autumn and its operational now, I find it great to be able to hit a field when its needed.

Damo810

just do it wrote: »

So after year 2 do you think it's worth having your own?

Depends on the acreage and where your located. if you have a long standing problem with docs or rushes etc.

The thing is, a new low end sprayer can be be bought for around €1000 and should last upwards of 20 years if looked after so the cost of buying one isn't too big an obstacle.

just do it

Yeah the €1000-1100 model from whites would be the one I'd go for. I just wonder after a year or two would I get the use out of it.

However I try to avoid machinery, money is tight, and there are a number of other things on the shopping list hence I'm interested in opinions. From keeping an eye on here over the years I think most lads favour having one.

micraX

Every week, sometimes more than once.

poor farmer

Always had one ,its one of my favorite jobs.I had a 300l one used it with the 35.it would do about the hectare.
Splashed out and bought a 1000l now can do 8-10 acres per fill .Just spraying grassland rushes,docks thistles.
Remember with weeds its about "control" so you will always use a sprayer.

Nekarsulm

Yes, i would agree with Small Farmer, if most of your fields are five acres , get a sprayer that can cover it in one fill. rates folding up the booms and opening then twice for one field.

Muckit

There's no point reseeding or renting or buying more land until you have what you have already growing grass and not weeds!

It's an investment you will not regret Jdi, especially when you like having your place right and want to go grass measuring.

You'll have better quality paddocks, better silage and less unslightly weeds!

sheebadog

Oh Jesus.

Muckit

Just do it just do it!

Odelay

sheebadog wrote: »

Oh Jesus.

Why so?

just do it

sheebadog wrote: »

Oh Jesus.

What, have you just seen Elvis or Garth?

just do it

Muckit wrote: »

Just do it just do it!

I'll have to time the delivery for when some else is away at work :D

GRASSorMUCK

Most used machine we have, used pretty much every spray day and does alot of liquid fert.

just do it

GRASSorMUCK wrote: »

Most used machine we have, used pretty much every spray day and does alot of liquid fert.

Liquid fert?

sheebadog

GRASSorMUCK wrote: »

Most used machine we have, used pretty much every spray day and does alot of liquid fert.

Thanks. I'm drowning ina a sea of shyte.
Most important machine on any farm.


I'll leave you to explique bien.

GRASSorMUCK

just do it wrote: »

Liquid fert?

Liquid fertiliser, just normal fert melted down to liquid form.
Find boom sections way less overlap than fert spinner and alot of blends don't travel wide-distances and alot easier logstics with tractor/water bowser than telehandler/bags iykwim as less filling required as bigger loads. Some crop related reasons also.

munkus

I would say that it's not about how often you use it, rather that you can spray exactly when you need. I might use it only 3 times a year, but with Irish weather, you couldn't depend on a neighbour or contractor to do it at the right time all the time.

restive

just do it wrote: »

So after year 2 do you think it's worth having your own?

Yes, I am glad I have it. I only paid €1,200 for it from whites of Portadown(Jarmet sprayer). It's great having the flexibility of owning one and i am sure i will get tired looking at the weeds and will use it again.

just do it

First I hear of it to be honest. I take it from a quick look at goggle its commonly used in tillage. If it is so great it would surely have replaced granular fert by now?! Maybe it's only economical when bought in bulk?

towzer2010

Have mine for 5 years and I really wouldn't contemplate getting rid of it.

I'd say my land would be similar to yours so rushes are a problem. I had most cleared in the first two years of having the sprayer but two sh1t years meant no spraying and rushes gettin a toe hold again. Thankfully I've hit most of them in the last two years.

I use MCPA and like you mentioned I wouldn't spray all together as it will impact on grass growth.

I'm going to spray the meadows with forefront as soon as weather allows to kill off weeds especially feckin docks that are taking over. Next use after that will probably be for pre and post reseeding so the sprayer will always be used.

Mac Taylor

Muckit wrote: »

Just do it just do it!

He'll be just did it then!

GRASSorMUCK

just do it wrote: »

First I hear of it to be honest. I take it from a quick look at goggle its commonly used in tillage. If it is so great it would surely have replaced granular fert by now?! Maybe it's only economical when bought in bulk?

Used mainly in tillage yep as can't accurately spread fert past 24m really jut not consistent enough tends to shatter to dust etc, where as stock farms are in mid teens if using a disc spinner?
Needs to be bulk really and need a sprayer that can with-stand it/build quality so not really economical when might only spread a few ton every 2 week eg compared to a fert spinner as extremely corrosive, cleans a sprayers internal like nothing else mind.
Lorry rocks up like a milk/liquids trailer just pumps into a bulk fiber-glass tank and buggers off again

just do it

GRASSorMUCK wrote: »

Used mainly in tillage yep as can't accurately spread fert past 24m really jut not consistent enough tends to shatter to dust etc, where as stock farms are in mid teens if using a disc spinner?
Needs to be bulk really and need a sprayer that can with-stand it/build quality so not really economical when might only spread a few ton every 2 week eg compared to a fert spinner as extremely corrosive, cleans a sprayers internal like nothing else mind.
Lorry rocks up like a milk/liquids trailer just pumps into a bulk fiber-glass tank and buggers off again

Sounds like the right job though. The plight of the small farmer :D

GRASSorMUCK

just do it wrote: »

Sounds like the right job though. The plight of the small farmer :D

Plenty of big farms still living off the golden spoon that a previous generation earned incapeable of adding to it.
You can be any size but if you don't do it well you might aswel not bother an just rent it.

simx

GRASSorMUCK wrote: »

Plenty of big farms still living off the golden spoon that a previous generation earned incapeable of adding to it.
You can be any size but if you don't do it well you might aswel not bother an just rent it.

Will agree on that last point, know lads farming 200/300 acres badly living off sfp and I know a couple others farming all rented land, and I know one lad definetly does not get and payments if any sort

sheebadog

GRASSorMUCK wrote: »

Plenty of big farms still living off the golden spoon that a previous generation earned incapeable of adding to it.
You can be any size but if you don't do it well you might aswel not bother an just rent it.

Massive +1!!!

micraX

restive wrote: »

Yes, I am glad I have it. I only paid €1,200 for it from whites of Portadown(Jarmet sprayer). It's great having the flexibility of owning one and i am sure i will get tired looking at the weeds and will use it again.

What size you get? We run two 1100l 15m, at home. They need a gotta work to get them true the DOE.

restive

micraX wrote: »

What size you get? We run two 1100l 15m, at home. They need a gotta work to get them true the DOE.

400litre with 10 metre boon. Plenty heavy as wettish land around here.

GrandSoftDay

restive wrote: »

400litre with 10 metre boon. Plenty heavy as wettish land around here.

I think I got 8 meter booms on mine because the ground is a bit up and down. Would have gone for 10 if it was flat though.

Greengrass1

Have a look at YES sprayers too. We have one for last 14 yrs. Couldn't fault it. IWe could use it 4-5 times some months spraying weeds or spraying off fields.
Place would be in some state without it

munkus

Greengrass1 wrote: »

Have a look at YES sprayers too. We have one for last 14 yrs. Couldn't fault it. IWe could use it 4-5 times some months spraying weeds or spraying off fields.
Place would be in some state without it

Have one but it's impossible to get parts. The two levers are leaking and I now have to buy the whole control unit for about 250 quid.

Greengrass1

munkus wrote: »

Have one but it's impossible to get parts. The two levers are leaking and I now have to buy the whole control unit for about 250 quid.

Farm hand in Dublin are main dealers they s have every part you want

visatorro

have 60 gallon hardy sprayer. only for spot spraying dont use it half as much as i should. wasnt out this year with it. contractor sprays silage ground for me, fifty foot booms. tenner an acre he charges me. this may sound dear but at least docks are kept at bay and less tracking is done.

Mulumpy

visatorro wrote: »

have 60 gallon hardy sprayer. only for spot spraying dont use it half as much as i should. wasnt out this year with it. contractor sprays silage ground for me, fifty foot booms. tenner an acre he charges me. this may sound dear but at least docks are kept at bay and less tracking is done.

Same ere take me a day to do 30 acres with my 60 gal one. Contractor covers it in 30 mins 9e/acre

severeoversteer

GRASSorMUCK wrote: »

Used mainly in tillage yep as can't accurately spread fert past 24m really jut not consistent enough tends to shatter to dust etc, where as stock farms are in mid teens if using a disc spinner?
Needs to be bulk really and need a sprayer that can with-stand it/build quality so not really economical when might only spread a few ton every 2 week eg compared to a fert spinner as extremely corrosive, cleans a sprayers internal like nothing else mind.
Lorry rocks up like a milk/liquids trailer just pumps into a bulk fiber-glass tank and buggers off again

who do you get it from ?

you can pm me if its a secret:)

GRASSorMUCK

severeoversteer wrote: »

who do you get it from ?

you can pm me if its a secret:)

Yara or omex usually in uk, should be a few places in Ireland?
The tanks used to separated but made a bunded pit together as had a leak do to some pricks messing about on an outfarm

munkus

Greengrass1 wrote: »

Farm hand in Dublin are main dealers they s have every part you want

Tried them, will only sell the whole unit.

severeoversteer

GRASSorMUCK wrote: »

Yara or omex usually in uk, should be a few places in Ireland?
The tanks used to separated but made a bunded pit together as had a leak do to some pricks messing about on an outfarm

id love to see more pictures of your place !!!:D

simx

Ordered 800 jarmet from whites this am, cousin. Going halves with me so should be fewer and fewer weeds from here on in

Greengrass1

simx wrote: »

Ordered 800 jarmet from whites this am, cousin. Going halves with me so should be fewer and fewer weeds from here on in

And loads of reseeding

simx

Greengrass1 wrote: »

And loads of reseeding

Bit by bit, costly business though

td5man

Greengrass1 wrote: »

And loads of reseeding

You need a bit of glyphosphate in every tank. ;-)

td5man

simx wrote: »

Bit by bit, costly business though

No it's not, best spent money ever.

Greengrass1

td5man wrote: »

You need a bit of glyphosphate in every tank. ;-)

Sorry dad I thought that was dockstar. Ooops looks like we have to reseed it now

just do it

Greengrass1 wrote: »

Sorry dad I thought that was dockstar. Ooops looks like we have to reseed it now

Charliebull

anyone used the auto fill on the Jarmet yet

GrandSoftDay

Charliebull wrote: »

anyone used the auto fill on the Jarmet yet

I have tried many times and failed!

ABlur

GrandSoftDay wrote: »

I have tried many times and failed!

The Jarmet user manual must be the worst ever! Only for the Jarmet thread here I'd never have gotten my sprayer going!