Garden Sprayers: specifications, types

General type of sprayer. Nowadays, there are mainly such options: pump action, lever, gasoline, battery(classic and hybrid) and electric(network). Here is a more detailed description of each variety:

— Pump. One of the varieties of sprayers that work on the user's muscular strength — along with lever ones. The difference lies in the fact that in this case the accumulative principle is used: with the help of a pump, a supply of compressed air is pre-inflated into the tank, which is gradually consumed during operation; the stock needs to be replenished from time to time by pumping up the pump. A characteristic external sign of a pump-action sprayer is the paging handle located in the upper part; Because of this, shoulder-carrying models (see "Design") have to be worn on one shoulder so that the handle remains within reach. This is somewhat less convenient than carrying lever models on two shoulders; on the other hand, one hand remains free when working with this type of shoulder sprayer. And the common advantage of all pump units is that during operation it is not necessary to constantly pump air. On the other hand, this design is poorly suited for more or less large volumes, so the tank capacity in this type of atomizers does not exceed 12 liters.

— Lever....Another type of sprayers that use the muscular strength of the operator to work. Such devices differ from pump-action models in that the pumping lever must be pumped constantly — each movement of it sends a portion of liquid to the nozzle. This can be quite tedious, however, lever sprayers have their advantages. Firstly, they are simpler, cheaper and at the same time more reliable and safer: damage to the tank does not lead to an “explosion” with splashing of the contents, and the performance of many models is maintained even with a leaky tank. Secondly, large shoulder units of this type are usually carried on two shoulders, like backpacks — this ensures the most even distribution of the load; the pumping lever in such sprayers is installed on the side, most often under the operator's left hand.

— Rechargeable. Sprayers with electric pumps powered by batteries. This design eliminates the need for the operator to manually inflate air, reducing fatigue and making it easier to treat large areas. At the same time, battery models are easier and cheaper to operate than gasoline ones, they are quieter and do not produce exhaust gases; and their advantage over mains sprayers is their independence from sockets. Among the disadvantages of this option, one can note the limited operating time on a charge and the need for long breaks to charge the batteries; however, in some models this moment is compensated by the use of removable batteries, which you can have in stock a few pieces. Note that this type of power supply is best suited for shoulder-mounted models, although there are also wheeled and combined sprayers (see "Design") on batteries.

— Battery hybrid. Sprayers (usually shoulder-mounted, see "Design"), equipped with two pumps at once, with two separate drives — (usually lever, see above) and battery. Thus, such models combine the advantages of both types: the battery allows you to work without additional physical effort, and when the battery runs out, you can switch to manual pumping and continue working for as long as you need. At the same time, such capabilities are rarely required, and additional equipment significantly affects the price of the unit; therefore, there are few models of this type nowadays.

— Petrol. Sprayers driven by a petrol engine. The key advantages of such units are high power and performance, battery life (including complete independence from sockets), as well as good suitability for long-term work (both due to the “endurance” of the engines themselves and due to the speed of refueling). On the other hand, gasoline engines are more complicated and more expensive than electric ones (both by themselves and in operation), weigh more, make a lot of noise and produce exhaust gases. Therefore, such engines are installed mainly in heavy performant models designed for large volumes of work.

— Electric. Sprayers with electric motors powered by conventional sockets. With the same power, such units have less weight and cost than battery counterparts, and their operation time is practically unlimited. On the other hand, the need to pull the wire from the outlet significantly limits mobility. Therefore, this option has not received much distribution, it is found only in some wheeled models (see "Design"), where battery life was sacrificed for the sake of the advantages of an electric motor.

The design of the sprayer primarily determines how it is transported during operation. According to this parameter, manual, shoulder, wheeled and combined types of construction are distinguished, here are the features of each option:

— Manual. The most compact type of sprayers: during operation, the device can be held entirely with one hand. Such models usually look like a tank in the form of a bottle or can with a volume of up to 3 – 3.5 liters (and more often up to 2 liters), over which a spray gun is installed. A pump or lever drive is used for operation (see "Type"), although there are also battery options; and 360° spraying can be provided for convenience in hard-to-reach areas (see below). Anyway, hand sprayers are mainly designed for small jobs that do not require larger and heavier devices. In addition, such a sprayer may be the best choice for cramped conditions, where it is impossible to turn around with a shoulder-mounted and even more so wheeled unit.

— Shoulder. Sprayers of the "middle weight category", designed to be carried using a shoulder strap. Usually such a unit is worn on both shoulders, in the manner of a backpack; the exception is pump-action models (for more details, see "Type"). Anyway, this method of transportation is very practical and versatile. It is perfect even for fairly powerful and, as a result, massive sprayers — the only...exceptions are the heaviest models with a tank volume of more than 30 liters. Actually, most modern atomizers are made just shoulder-mounted.

— Wheeled. Sprayers equipped with wheels and moved only in this way. This method of movement is the only one available for the heaviest and most performant units with large tanks that are too heavy to be carried on the shoulders. However, there are also comparatively small and light sprayers with wheels — they are mainly intended for cases where high power is not needed, but shoulder-mounted models are not suitable for one reason or another (for example, if health problems prevent the user from carrying heavy loads ).

— Shoulder / wheeled. Models that allow transportation by any of the two methods described above are optional. In fact, these are shoulder models, complemented by wheels (or the ability to install wheels); this design provides additional convenience and versatility. For example, when working in open areas, it is more convenient to carry the sprayer on your shoulders, and in a greenhouse with narrow passages in which you can’t turn around with a “backpack” on your back, you can put the device on wheels and roll it along. However, such features are not required so often, while they affect the overall cost of the device. Therefore, this option has not received much distribution.

The nominal volume of the sprayer tank. Usually, in this case, the working volume is indicated, and not the full capacity (“for the cork”).

The more capacious the sprayer is, the more work can be done with it without refueling. On the other hand, a large volume accordingly affects the price, dimensions, and most importantly, the weight of the unit (and not only in a filled, but also in a “dry” state). Therefore, even with large volumes of work, it is sometimes more rational to use a relatively small unit, refueling it several times.

Detailed recommendations on the optimal volume of the tank for a particular situation can be found in special sources. With regard to specific values, in the most compact manual sprayers (see above), the capacity does not exceed 2 liters. Tanks for 2.1 – 5 liters can be found both in hand-held devices, and in pump-action and battery models (see "Type") with a shoulder carry. Sprayers for 5.1 – 10 liters are almost all made shoulder-mounted, the capacity of gasoline units actually starts from 10 liters, and the most capacious modern sprayers have tanks of more than 15 liters.

Maximum performance of the sprayer when working with liquid; Please note that in pump (see "Type of pumping") and battery (see "Type") models, the actual performance may decrease as the air supply or battery charge is exhausted.

High performance allows you to quickly process large areas; moreover, it is often combined with a good spraying distance (see below). On the other hand, such models require fairly large tanks — or they often have to be refilled; neither one nor the other contributes to the convenience of work. In addition, over-capacity is even more undesirable than under-capacity: a low-capacity sprayer will just take longer to process, and a too-capacity sprayer can ruin the job by “overdosing” the chemical. Therefore, it makes sense to use high-performance devices only for specific tasks.

Detailed data on optimal performance values for different situations can be found in special sources.

Maximum performance of the sprayer when working with powder (if the appropriate mode is available, see below). On pump (see "Type of pumping") and cordless (see "Type") models, actual performance may decrease as the air supply or battery charge is exhausted.

High performance allows you to quickly process large areas; moreover, it is often combined with a good spraying distance (see below). On the other hand, such models require fairly large tanks — or they often have to be refilled; neither one nor the other contributes to the convenience of work. In addition, over-capacity is even more undesirable than under-capacity: a "weak" sprayer will just take longer to process, and a too powerful one can ruin the job by "overdosing" the chemical. Therefore, it makes sense to use high-performance devices only for specific tasks.

Detailed data on optimal performance values for different situations can be found in special sources.

The longest distance a sprayer can effectively spray a liquid or powder. Usually, the horizontal range is implied, however, for “long-range” models, values bare also given for vertical spraying — in such units, the difference between horizontal and vertical ranges can be very noticeable.

A “long-range” sprayer (for 10–15 m or more) is convenient in that it allows you to process a large area without moving, and also to reach high branches without using ladders. On the other hand, a long range requires appropriate power, which affects the price, weight and dimensions of the unit — despite the fact that such capabilities are not always required: for example, for a cramped greenhouse, an atomizer with a short range ( 5 – 10 m, and often and less) So it is worth choosing according to this indicator, taking into account the features of the planned work.

The maximum operating pressure of the sprayer.

High pressure allows to achieve good spraying performance and range, however, actual performance can vary with units with the same pressure. Therefore, in general, the indicator is for reference (the lion's share of models has a pressure of 3 bar and 4 bar, and it is only possible to compare different models by it approximately. When choosing, it makes sense to focus on more practical characteristics — performance, range, etc.

The maximum fluid temperature that the sprayer can safely handle.

The preparation process of some formulations requires heating; therefore, data on the temperature to which the liquid must cool can be very important for safe operation. However, even in the most heat-resistant sprayers, this figure does not exceed 40 °C; such a liquid feels warm to the touch.

It is worth remembering the temperature limits when the unit is in the sun: if the tank has had time to get very hot in the sun, you should let it cool down before starting work.

The length of the hose supplied with the sprayer.

The longer the hose, the farther the spray tube can be reached without moving the sprayer itself. However, this is true mainly for wheeled and universal sprayers (see "Carrying type"). In shoulder-mounted units, the hose is usually selected in such a way that it is enough to comfortably hold the tube in your hand, and this parameter in such models most often does not exceed 150 cm.

It is also worth considering that long hoses can be quite bulky; however, this disadvantage is often eliminated by the use of spiral hoses, which are stretched to their full length only when necessary.

The length of the spray tube supplied with the sprayer.

A long tube, on the one hand, allows you to reach far without leaving your seat and without using stools, ladders, etc.; on the other hand, it is not very manoeuvrable and can be inconvenient when working in tight spaces. When choosing, it is worth proceeding from the optimal compromise between these characteristics. For example, a large tube length (up to 2 m in some models) is useful when processing fruit trees, but for a greenhouse it is better to choose a shorter sprayer. It is also worth considering that some sprayers use telescopic (sliding) tubes, the length of which can be adjusted as needed; in such cases, the unfolded size of the atomizer is usually indicated.

Availability of a folding telescopic tube in a set of delivery of a sprayer.

The length of such a tube can be adjusted within certain limits, adjusting it to the specifics of the situation. For example, in cramped conditions, a large length is not needed, but when processing tall trees, on the contrary, it is very convenient. Specific adjustment options may be different: in some models, you can choose only one of the two extreme positions (fully folded or fully unfolded), while others allow you to fix the handset in intermediate positions.

The type of tube supplied with the sprayer. It should be noted that hand-held models (see "Type") for the most part are not equipped with tubes and this parameter is not indicated for them; in other cases, the options may be as follows:

— Narrow. A thin and rather long tube, colloquially "fishing rod". This is the most common option nowadays: the “rod” allows you to accurately dose the sprayed chemicals and at the same time is able to provide sufficient performance for most tasks. The spraying range of such devices is somewhat less than that of wide nozzles, however, it may well reach 12–14 m, so this moment is most often not fundamental. A more noticeable disadvantage of this option is the poor suitability for working with powder — this possibility is found only in single devices with narrow tubes.

— Wide. The wide nozzle allows you to supply liquid or powder in large quantities and under significant pressure, achieving high performance and range. This, of course, requires the corresponding power of the sprayer; therefore, this option is typical mainly for heavy gasoline models designed for large areas and/or high vegetation.

The material from which the complete spray tube of the sprayer is made.

— Plastic. The key advantage of plastic over other materials used for spray wands is its low cost. In addition, this material is chemically inert and does not corrode, and also has a low weight. On the other hand, the rigidity of the plastic is not very high, which is why such tubes tend to bend, sometimes even under their own weight.

— Aluminium. Aluminium alloys combine good strength and lightness, such a tube is easy to work with, and it takes quite a strong blow or pressure to bend it. On the other hand, aluminium is expensive.

— Brass. In addition to strength and reliability (including resistance to bending), brass is notable for its excellent resistance to corrosion. The disadvantages of such tubes are the high price, as well as the rather large weight.

- Stainless steel. "Stainless steel" is notable primarily for its high strength and rigidity, which is superior to other materials, despite the fact that this material is relatively inexpensive. However, such tubes weigh much more than aluminium or plastic ones.

- Copper. According to the main operational properties, copper pipes are similar to brass ones: they are strong, reliable and durable. On the other hand, such tubes are relatively expensive and do not have fundamental advantages over the same "stainless steel". Therefore, this option is rarely found.

The material from which the complete spray tip is made.

The most common tip material is plastic, which is used in the vast majority of atomizers. Therefore, this parameter is specified only in cases where the tip is made of another, more advanced material. One of the most popular of these options is brass — it is noticeably more expensive than plastic, but much stronger and more durable.

Type of internal combustion engine installed in the petrol sprayer (see "Type"). In this case, the internal combustion engine is usually divided according to the cycle of work:

- Duplex. The two-stroke cycle allows you to create powerful engines with relatively small working volumes (and, accordingly, dimensions and weight); at the same time, such units are much simpler and cheaper than four-stroke ones. However they make more noise, consume somewhat more fuel and require the preparation of a gasoline-oil mixture for refueling, however, these shortcomings are not critical in the case of sprayers. Therefore, most modern gasoline units are equipped with two-stroke internal combustion engines.

- Four stroke. Four-stroke engines are quieter than two-stroke engines, use less fuel and are easier to refuel (gasoline and oil are poured separately, without the need for exact proportions). At the same time, such internal combustion engines are distinguished by their design complexity and rather high cost, and therefore they are rarely used, mainly in high-end professional sprayers.

The volume of one cylinder in an internal combustion engine installed in a sprayer. In fact, we are talking about the working volume of the entire engine, because. in this technique, only single-cylinder internal combustion engines are used.

In general, a large cylinder volume allows you to achieve high power, but power also depends on some engine characteristics (primarily the type of internal combustion engine, see above). And the performance characteristics of the sprayers themselves with the same engine power can also be different. But what directly depends on the volume of the engine is fuel consumption: a larger volume, usually, requires more fuel.

Engine power of the gasoline sprayer (see "Type") in horsepower.

Power directly affects the spraying range and the performance of the unit, according to this indicator, it is quite possible to assess the overall level of the device. However note that manufacturers can indicate this characteristic in different ways: some give the rated power (when the engine is running in normal mode), others give the maximum power (at peak load). Therefore, when choosing and comparing, it is worth considering not only this indicator, but also other basic characteristics.

As for horsepower, this unit is traditionally used to assess the power of an internal combustion engine. 1 HP approximately equal to 735 watts.

Sprayer engine power in kilowatts. Watt (kilowatt) is a universal unit used for all types of engines, but in fact this parameter is indicated mainly for gasoline units (see "Type"). This is due to the fact that electric sprayers — even the most powerful and heavy ones — consume less than 1 kW, which does not create any problems with connecting to a conventional outlet; so for such units there is no need to specify engine power.

Power directly affects the spraying range and the performance of the unit, according to this indicator, it is quite possible to assess the overall level of the device. However note that manufacturers can indicate this characteristic in different ways: some give the rated power (when the engine is running in normal mode), others — the maximum (at peak load). Therefore, when choosing and comparing, it is worth considering not only this indicator, but also other basic characteristics.

As for specific figures, in the most modest models this figure does not exceed 1 kW ; 1.1 – 2 kW can be called the average value; and many gasoline sprayers are equipped with motors and more than 2 kW.

The volume of the fuel tank in the petrol sprayer (see "Type").

Knowing the fuel consumption (see below), the volume of the tank can be used to estimate the time of continuous operation without refueling. In general, a larger tank, on the one hand, allows you to work longer between refueling, on the other hand, it affects the dimensions and weight of the entire unit. In addition, the power of the internal combustion engine in the sprayers is relatively low and they require little fuel, and you still have to fill the main tank every few minutes. In light of all this, manufacturers usually install tanks in sprayers with a volume of 0.5 to 2 liters — this is quite enough for at least half an hour of work (often more).

Fuel consumption during normal operation of the petrol sprayer (see "Type").

This parameter allows you to evaluate the efficiency of the engine; and knowing the volume of the fuel tank (see above), you can calculate the time of continuous operation on a single refill. However it must be borne in mind that a more powerful internal combustion engine will inevitably require more fuel.

Engine starting method provided in a gasoline sprayer.

Technically, modern internal combustion engines can be equipped with two types of starters — manual and electric. However, the electric starter is complex in design and requires its own battery, which is why it significantly affects the cost, and most importantly, the weight of the unit. And since the vast majority of modern sprayers are made shoulder-mounted (see "Type of carrying"), manual starters are considered the best option for them — light, compact and inexpensive. Typically, such a starter has the form of a lace, for which you need to pull sharply for the initial cranking of the engine. The disadvantage of manual "launchers" is that they may require a certain skill, but in most cases this is not critical.

Nominal voltage of the battery used in the battery sprayer (see "Type").

In general, a higher voltage is needed to provide high power. At the same time, the characteristics of models with the same battery voltage may differ markedly. Therefore, in fact, this parameter may be required to search for a replacement battery rather than to select a sprayer and compare it with other models.

It should be noted that modern sprayers usually use batteries of standard voltage — 6 V, 12 V or 18 V. At the same time, most models are 12-volt, 6 V is found mainly in low-cost devices of a small volume, and 18 V is found in powerful professional equipment.

Capacity of the complete battery in the battery sprayer (see "Type").

A higher capacity allows you to work longer without recharging, but this is true only “ceteris paribus” — the actual energy consumption (and therefore battery life) depends on the performance, range and some other characteristics of the sprayer. Therefore, only devices with similar indicators can be compared by this parameter, and it is easier to evaluate battery life by directly claimed operating time (see below). Also, larger batteries tend to weigh more and cost more. Therefore, manufacturers usually choose the battery capacity according to the features of a particular model — in order, on the one hand, to ensure good battery life, and on the other hand, not to greatly increase the weight and price.

Time of continuous operation of the battery sprayer (see "Type") on one battery charge. The actual operating time may differ slightly from the claimed one due to the specifics of a particular situation, however, these differences are usually not very large, and this indicator can be used to evaluate not only theoretical, but also practical indicators of battery life.

Indicator showing the battery level in the battery sprayer (see "Type"). Usually, it is used both during the operation of the unit and when charging the battery. Most often, the role of the indicator is played by the simplest voltmeter, which allows you to assess the state of the battery by changing its voltage.

A device that allows you to fix the trigger (switch) of the sprayer in the pressed position. This is especially convenient for large volumes of work: holding the trigger manually for a long time is rather tiring, and the continuous watering lock allows you to avoid unnecessary stress on your hands.

Note that this feature can be found in all types of sprayers (see above), including lever ones — many models with this type of action are equipped with both a pumping lever and a separate trigger that must be kept pressed during operation.

A feature found in the most compact hand sprayers (see "Design") with a lever principle of operation (see "Type"). The idea of the double action mechanism is that each pull on the “trigger” (pumping lever) provides two sprays — one when pressed, the second when the “trigger” is returned to its original position. This improves productivity and reduces fatigue, especially when spraying for long periods of time.

A feature found in the most compact variety of sprayers — manual (see "Design"). 360° spray means the sprayer can work efficiently in any position – even upside down. This allows you to effectively process hard-to-reach places that cannot be reached with the normal position of the spray gun.

Due to the presence of a rotary nozzle, the customer can adjust the jet flow at the required angle. The function will come in handy to increase the convenience of spraying certain areas of a flower bed, garden or vegetable garden.

The presence of a measuring scale in the design of the sprayer.

Usually, such a scale is applied directly to the tank wall, and the tank itself is made transparent or translucent. Other design options are also possible — for example, a water metre tube with a scale built into the opaque wall of the tank. Anyway, the measuring scale allows you to determine with a fairly high accuracy how much chemicals are left in the sprayer, and without having to open the tank.

Built-in pressure gauge — a device for measuring pressure in the working tank (essentially — at the outlet of the sprayer).

Such a device makes it easy to control the pressure so that it does not rise above a critical level and at the same time remains sufficient for stable operation. This feature is especially important for manual sprayers — pump and lever (see "Type"): in such models, the operator often controls the pressure manually, and it can be difficult to do this without a pressure gauge. In other types of sprayers (battery, gasoline, etc.), automation is usually provided that independently regulates pressure; however, such units can also be equipped with pressure gauges — so that the user can monitor the operating parameters himself.

The ability to change nozzles — sprayer working nozzles.

Different nozzles differ primarily in terms of spraying distance and width of the plume, as well as the degree of spraying (particle size). In addition, specific nozzles can be used in sprayers — for example, for working with powder. Replacement nozzles are usually included in the delivery, but this point (as well as the range of nozzles) is still worth clarifying separately.

Possibility of work of a sprayer on dispersion of powder.

In addition to liquid, some jobs also have to deal with powder. When for effective supply of the powder, a pressure pump is required, while the liquid can also flow by gravity, under its own weight. Such a pump is not provided in all sprayers; therefore, only those models in which such a possibility is directly stated can be used to work with powder.

The presence of a tube clamp in the design of the sprayer.

Such a latch is a set of special clips, usually installed directly on the tank. It greatly simplifies the storage and transportation of the device: the handset, usually, is placed as compactly as possible and at the same time securely. Yes, and during breaks in work, this feature can come in handy — fixing the tube in the retainer is more convenient and safer than putting it on the ground, holding it in your hands, etc.

The average noise level produced by the sprayer during normal operation.

The “loudness” of operation largely depends on the type of sprayer (see above): for example, battery units are generally much quieter than gasoline ones. Anyway, the lower this indicator, the more comfortable the use of the unit, especially during long-term work. Note that the decibel is a non-linear quantity, and therefore it is best to evaluate the noise level using special comparative tables.

The most "quiet" models are manual: the noise level in them is so low that it is often not indicated at all in the characteristics. Yes, and low-power battery models can work with a volume of 30 – 35 dB, which can be compared with a muffled conversation. In more advanced versions, the noise can reach 70 dB — this is already comparable to a loud conversation. For gasoline models, the same 70 dB is, in fact, the minimum indicator, while the maximum value exceeds 100 dB (the noise of an industrial workshop or a tractor engine).

The total weight of the sprayer. Specified without taking into account the liquid or powder in the working tank; at the same time, for battery models (see “Type”), usually, the weight is given with a complete battery, and for gasoline models, on the contrary, “dry” weight, without fuel in the tank.