Spray Equipment Blog

Alien Invaders Target Arizona - You Can Help!

The Southwest Vegetation Management Association's mission is to:

"To conserve and protect Arizona's natural resources by providing a state-level organization that emphasizes an integrated management approach to address invasive or pest plants."

The Southwest Vegetation Managment Association (SWVMA) was organized in 1997 to increase awareness about invasive vegetation and foster cooperation between vegetation managers.

The SWVMA board (photo) met yesterday to plan our annual conference, Invasives In Arizona's Riparian Habitats. 

You are invited to our 13th Annual SWVMA Conference

Fiesta's Inn Resort and Conference Center
2100 South Priest Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282
October 26 - 28, 2010 Tuesday through Thursday

  

Please join us at this great meeting to help us control these plants that threaten our beautiful state.

More info at SWVMA.org.

the Board

Pest Control Sprayers - Bailing Wire & Duct Tape?

This pest control technician attempted to use Duct Tape to fix his pest control sprayer. It didn't work and just cost him more time. He should have gotten it fixed right the first time. For more info on this and other pest control sprayer problems to avoid, check our Spray Equipment Problems page.

Click pest control sprayer filter photo to enlarge.

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Pest Control Spray Hose Reel - Prevent Problems

Pest control technician came in and asked up to fix his pest control rig spray gun (photo).

We asked him what happened to it. He said he was missing the pest control hose reel lock, his spray hose unrolled out the back of the pest control truck and the gun bounced along the road. Fortunately no one was hurt. See more photos at our pest control equipment web site.

For more ideas on saving money on spray equipment, download our Spray Equipment Strategy document.

Pest Control Spray Equipment - Prevent Problems

Check out my recent article on Pest Management Magazine's website.

Too many Pest Control Sprayer problems are avoidable.  One way to prevent problems is to secure your equipment in the back of your vehicle.  Don't assume it is attached.  See photo.  

Download our complimentary Pest Control Strategy Document.

Got any pest control spray equipment problems you would like us to comment on?  Email us.

Towable Trailer Sprayer - Prevent Spray Equipment Problems

If your company uses Towable Trailer Sprayers for pest control, weed control or landscape spraying, make sure your technicians are checking their equipment before driving off.  This is a photo of a  plug from a Trailer Sprayer.  The spray technician neglected to check to ensure the plug was securely installed.  He ended up draggging the plug on the road, which resulted in repair expense and significant downtime.

For more examples of preventable problems, visit http://www.qspray.com/spray-equipment-problems/.

To download our spray equipment strategy E-Kit, visit http://www.qspray.com/spray-equipment-strategy-download/.

Spray Equipment Clean Out - Expensive Lesson

The D30 Diaphragm Pump on this Weed Control Landscape Sprayer was totally destroyed because the technician did not check the filter. 

Here is a photo of the filter:

The clogged filter caused the pump to run dry and hot.  Eventually the diaphragms burst and the oil ran out of the pump.  The technician continued running the pump without oil, resulting in the total destruction of the pump. 

See more detailed photos on our Spray Equipment Problems web page.

Here is a photo of the burst weed control sprayer diaphragm.

This situation cost the owner over $1000 to repair.  It was totally avoidable.  It is critical to keep your spray equipment cleaned out. 

To download our Spray Equipment Clean Out Strategy E-kit, click here.

Pest Control Sprayers - Purchase Price is Tip of the Iceberg

One of our clients saved thought they would save some money and buy a less expensive pest control sprayer

They learned the hard way that Spray Equipment Purchase Price is only the tip of the iceberg.  The frame on this sprayer was underbuilt and the weight of the water in the tank caused the welds to fail.  See photo.

Once the welds failed, the tank fell, fittings broke and 30 gallons of material were spilled.  The client had clean up costs, downtime, equipment repairs, travel time to our shop for repairs, etc.  You can see all the photos of this spray equipment problem on our website.

Click here to download our Spray Equipment Strategy document.

broken welds on skid sprayer

Pest Control - Reduce Equipment Downtime

Pilots do a preflight check of their equipment before getting in the airplane, and pest control professionals should check their pest control spray equipment before beginning their route.

There are two objectives to this approach:

    1. Find problems where you can do something about them (e.g., your office or shop),

    2. Find problems early, when they are small and fast, cheap and easy to fix.  Spray equipment problems get worse and more expensive with time.

                      

We gave a speech on this topic at the Arizona Office of Pest Management in May. We have uploaded a brief excerpt of this speech on to www.qspray.com.

In the next couple of weeks we will post the entire Preflight Checklist Document for your consideration and use.

Please download our Spray Equipment Strategy E-Kit.

Birchmeier Backpack Sprayers - Live Long & Prosper

Birchmeier Backpack Sprayers are great backpack or knapsack style sprayers for pest control & weed control.  They cost more than most other sprayers, but it you take care of them, they are well worth the investment. 

We have seen a number of abused Birchmeier Backpack Sprayers that were not properly cared for.   Here are some easy tips to get more life, less downtime and better productivity with your Birchmeier Sprayer.

1.  Check the filters.  Check & clean filters in handle and lid.

2.  Clean it out.  Periodically clean out tank with clean water.  Run clean water through Birchmeier backpack to clear lines.  (see photo below).

3.  Watch the Pressure.  Don't overpressurize (over pump) your Birchmeier.  You will damage it.  Let the pressure off when done.  Do NOT store the backpack sprayer under pressure.  This will reduce the life of hoses, fittings, o-rings, etc.

4.  Lubrication.  Keep the Birchmeier well lubricated by giving the grease piston a half turn.  Refill the grease reservoir when empty.

5.  Preventative Maintenance.  Clean and service your Birchmeier regularly to prevent serious failures and expensive repairs.  When you have the sprayer apart for service, give individual parts a good cleaning.

Looking for advise on buying a new Pest or Weed Control power sprayer?  Download our free Spray Equipment Strategy E-Kit.

Prevent Pest Control Equipment Problems

Some pest control spray equipment problems are avoidable. This photo shows an unsecured Birchmeier Backpack in the back of a pest control spray vehicle. This creates a risk that the backpack sprayer could become airborne in the event of an accident, or the backpack strap could get tangled in the spinning engine shaft and seriously damage the pump, engine and backpack. The later situation will result in significant downtime and spray equipment repair expenses. Spray techs should inspect their equipment to eliminate unsafe conditions and prevent spray equipment problems. See more spray equipment problem photos and examples at www.qspray.com.