Herbicide Application Equipment

Picking herbicide equipment comes down to acreage, terrain, the product label and how often you spray. Buy for the job you actually do, not the one you imagine.

Key points

Let the product label and your acreage decide the equipment, not the other way around.
Match sprayer size and type to how often and how far you spray.
Nozzles set droplet size, so buy matched sets and replace them together.
Choose features that make rinsing and filter service easy.
Calibrate every season and whenever you change tips, speed or pressure.

What equipment do you need to apply herbicide?

At minimum you need a tank, a pump, a way to control pressure, hoses, a boom or wand, nozzles and filters. How those parts are arranged depends on whether you carry it on your back, tow it behind an ATV, mount it on a three-point hitch or run a self-propelled rig.

Before buying anything, read the label of the products you plan to use. Labels can specify nozzle types, droplet size, boom height, carrier volume and cleanout steps. The label decides what equipment is allowed to do the work.

Which sprayer type fits a small acreage?

A backpack or handheld sprayer suits fence rows, garden edges and small patches. A tank on an ATV or utility vehicle with a short boom or spot wand suits a few acres of pasture. A three-point hitch or trailed boom sprayer behind a tractor suits larger hay fields and row crops.

A 5-acre homestead and a 300-head cattle ranch need very different rigs. If you spray only a few times a year, a modest unit that is easy to clean may serve you better than a large boom that sits unused.

Handheld or backpack: spot work and tight spaces
ATV or UTV mounted: small pastures and trails
Three-point hitch or trailed boom: hay fields and row crops
Self-propelled: large acreage and frequent use

How do pumps and tanks affect performance?

The pump supplies flow and pressure. Different pump types handle different liquids and abrasive materials differently, so check the maker's guidance for the products you plan to run. A pump that is too small cannot keep up with a wide boom or with agitation needs.

Tank material, shape and agitation matter too. Some products need constant agitation to stay mixed. Poly tanks are common, and a smooth tank bottom with a good drain makes cleanout faster. Look for clear volume markings you can read from the operator seat or while filling.

How do you choose nozzles for herbicide work?

Nozzles control droplet size, pattern and flow rate. Flat fan, air-induction and other types are made for different uses. The label may call for a certain droplet size class to reduce drift, so check it before you pick a tip.

Keep a full set of matched tips and replace them as a set. Mixing tips on one boom gives uneven coverage. Most nozzle makers publish charts that connect pressure, speed, tip size and output, and you can use those charts with your calibration numbers.

What features make a sprayer easier and safer to use?

Look for a good rinse system, a clean-water tank for handwashing, accessible filters, a boom that folds and locks securely and a pressure gauge you can trust. Hoses should route away from pinch points and hot surfaces.

Think about the operator too. Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection and the other protective equipment the label calls for should be easy to store with the sprayer. Mixing and loading are when most exposure happens, so a convenient induction or filling method pays off.

Easy-reach drain and rinse points
Filters you can open without a wrench set
Locking boom folds
Gauge that reads clearly at working pressure

What does calibration have to do with equipment?

The sprayer is only as good as its calibration. Worn tips, a slipping pump or a faulty gauge can put on too little or too much product. Calibrate at the start of each season and after any change in nozzles, speed or pressure. Your extension office has step-by-step calibration worksheets.

When should you buy used or call a dealer?

A used sprayer can be a fair value, but inspect the pump, hoses, tank for cracks, boom frame for bends and controls for leaks. Ask the seller about previous products used. Residue from past chemicals can injure a new crop.

Have a dealer service department or qualified mechanic look at pumps and controllers you are unsure about. Applicator licensing rules vary by state, so confirm what applies to your products and acreage.

When to get help: Ask a dealer service department or qualified mechanic to inspect pumps, controllers and hoses before you buy used. Your extension office can supply calibration worksheets and answer licensing questions.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

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