Post #0058 – Backpack sprayers – Solo 475 vs Silvan ProGrade - Part LIII
Hi everyone, this post is a deviation from the normal updates. I thought I’d do a short review of the two backpack sprayers we’re using to spot spray weeds. They’re just some of the equipment that is essential for controlling weeds when you’re on acreage.
I ummed and ahhed about whether to do it, but in the end I allocated a post number to it in my list of planned posts and I didn’t want to renumber the list and all the draft posts I have in progress if I didn’t go ahead with it.
Where I can, I have a tendency to buy German designed/engineered products and it’s even better if they’re manufactured in Germany. The other alternative is Japanese products. Why? Well, I simply believe the products are better in many aspects. Better design, better quality and last longer.
So, it was from this starting point that led us to purchasing a
Solo sprayer. Our local hardware and produce store had the model we wanted at a competitive price, so we purchased it from there.
I didn’t want a battery powered sprayer (more to go wrong) and although there would be no way my wife could handle a sprayer filled with 15 L of herbicide, it could be filled to a level she could manage. When I was using it, I’d fill it to 15 L. Talking from experience though, doing up your shoelace is not something I’d recommend with a full load of herbicide strapped to your back.
The model we went with was the
Solo 475. It has the diaphragm pump with a maximum pressure output of 60 psi. Typically, you can pick these up for around AUD295.
The
Solo 425 has the piston pump with a maximum pressure output of 90 psi. The piston pump can be damaged by herbicides/dyes that have a tendency to crystalise. This leads to premature wear on the pump’s cylinder. I figured we’d use marker dyes, so the 475 would suit us better.
When fitting the crank handle, I found that when slipped onto the horizontal shaft as far as it would go, the bolt hole in the crank handle wouldn’t line up with the bolt hole in the horizontal shaft. So, you couldn’t fit the bolt, nut and washer that joined the two together. What it required was some taps on the end of the shaft with a hammer to slide it into the right position where all the holes aligned.
One of the annoying problems with this sprayer are the shoulder straps’ bottom plastic buckles. Firstly, they have a tendency to move along the support frame when taking the sprayer off. The problem is that when placing it on a solid surface, they end up preventing the frame from sitting flat on the solid surface.
Secondly, if they’re left like that when filling the sprayer, the sprayer becomes unstable and you run the risk of spilling the contents you’re discharging into the tank. This isn’t a problem when you’re filling from a hose but definitely when you’re juggling a heavy jerry can.
Then, when you go to put the sprayer on, you’ve got to slide the buckles back, if you haven’t already done that. You need to do this to open-up the loop of the straps, as much as possible to get each of your arms through its corresponding shoulder strap. Secondly, if you don’t do that and manage to get the sprayer on, the whole unit is not balanced.
The handle has a built-in clasp for securing the wand when storing the sprayer. This is really useful, and I didn’t realise it had this until I read the product’s literature.
After completing a fair amount of spraying I quickly realised that intensive efforts, like spraying twice per day over three days was just too demanding and simply wasn’t enough to blitz all the areas we wanted to do. I also found that my left trapezius muscle would be very tight and sore after a couple of spraying sessions.
We headed back to the local hardware and produce store and they were now stocking the
Silvan range of sprayers. This time we picked up this ProGrade sprayer for about $190, so it was significantly cheaper than the Solo 475.
The key features I liked about the Silvan sprayer were that the shoulder straps’ bottom buckles were simply fabric and they stayed in position and, secondly it had a waist strap. I’m not sure whether it’s just the latter feature but my shoulder doesn’t get sore. Maybe the centre of gravity of the sprayer is just slightly lower than that of the Solo 475.
Both sprayers feature a locking mechanism on the trigger. I rarely use this, as I’m mainly spot spraying and just want to release the herbicide in short bursts.
Solo 475 Summary
Pros:
- Lifting handle.
- Handle features a clasp for storing wand.
- Rebuildable/serviceable.
- Easy to read fill levels on tank.
Cons:
- Cost.
- Only two nozzles supplied as standard.
- No waist strap/belt.
- Bottom shoulder strap buckles get caught under the support frame causing instability when not being used.
- In-line filters clogs when using marker dyes.
- Nozzles can leak when sprayer is stored (it’s recommended to flush the sprayer after use).
Silvan ProGrade 190550 Summary
Pros:
- Lower cost.
- Lifting handle.
- Handle features a clasp for storing wand.
- Four nozzles included as standard.
- Waist strap/belt helps with stability, reducing fatigue.
- Bottom shoulder strap buckles don’t cause instability when not be used.
- Rebuildable/serviceable.
- Easy to read fill levels on tank.
Cons:
- In-line filters clogs when using marker dyes.
- Nozzles can leak when sprayer is stored (it’s recommended to flush the sprayer after use).
, a coffee shop etc. On the RHS, that's the old converted Woolworths supermarket. That's an African Mahogany that's fallen over. These were planted after Tropical Cyclone Tracy in 1974, as they're quick growing. The problem is they're shallow rooted.
where the cars are parked.
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