Walk-Behind Self-Propelled Sprayer

Walk-Behind Self-Propelled Sprayer SPRAYING Miscellaneous 29-4-33 "It's really easy to maneuver. All I have to do is stand behind and guide it," says Gene Cafourek, Stewartville, Minn., about his home-built, walk-behind, self-propelled sprayer. "It works great for getting into tight areas that are hard to reach with a trailing sprayer behind a garden tractor or ATV." The rig rides on a pair of 26-in. high motorcycle wheels and is equipped with a 15-gal. poly tank, a 30-ft. long hose and hand gun, a 12-volt air compressor, a 1-gal. foam tank, and foam markers. Power is provided by a 4 hp Briggs & Stratton engine equipped with gear reduction. The engine belt-drives a pair of 8-in. dia. wheels that friction-drive the 26-in. wheels. Pulling a lever at the back of the machine puts tension on an idler pulley that engages a drive belt. With the engine at a fast idle it goes about 3 mph. A pair of small caster wheels under the unit, one on front and one on back, provide stability. The rig has a 40-in. boom equipped with a hollow plastic shield that extends to within 6 in. of the ground. A single floodjet nozzle mounts inside the shield and covers a 40-in. pattern. For spraying larger areas, there are two nozzles outside the shield that cover a 6 1/2-ft. swath. Boom height is adjustable. A long rubber hose at each end of the boom is used to lay down a foam mark, which is dispensed by a 12-volt air compressor. "I use it a lot in cemeteries and also around farmsteads. It works great around shrubs, flowers and gardens," says Cafourek. Power for spray operations is provided by a 12-volt demand pump that's backed up by a 12-volt battery. "I plumbed everything so I can adjust the pressure as needed," says Cafourek. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Gene Cafourek, 1102nd Ave. S.E., Stewartville, Minn. 55976 (ph 507 533-6283).

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