Expensive 3 way mixes

[hmartin]

It seems like most people are buying premixed products similar to Trimec or 3way for broadleaf control. A person can buy 2-4d, dicamba and mecoprop seperately and mix them for about $15 a gallon in a ratio similar to most trimec products. I am not including carfentrazone, but I know that it can be bought individually also. I would like to hear from someone who has bought seperately and has bought premixed. I want to know their thoughts on which makes more money when everything is said and done. I realize that it would be almost impossible to mix like this for a backpack, I am talking about 50 to 100 gallon tanks and up.

[DUSTYCEDAR]

its not worth the chance of messing it up to save a few bucks in my opin

[philk17088]

I'm only paying $26 a gallon for Trimec. Not worth it having all that material handling.
I used to work for a large lawn care company and we did mix it ourselves. What a mess.

[ant]

i been using MEC AMINE-D at 20 some bucks per gal. at the rate of 1.5 oz per/m early on works well

http://www.cdms.net/ldat/ld54G002.pdf

CHASER ULTRA 2 SELECTIVE HERBICIDE cost me 50+per gal.. to expensive..

[lawnservice]

i'd be more concerned with the human saftey issue over the ooops i mixed it wrong issue.

mixing concentrates opens you up to exposure of these products

paying a little more for a premixed product is just safer, dont you think?

[LawnTamer]

I've done both, I prefere the pre-mixed, less handling of concentrates, less risk. Back in the late 80s early 90s we would mix 2-4-d, mcpp and dicamba, but with the cost per k being only a few cents cheaper, why bother?

[somo1]

It seems like most people are buying premixed products similar to Trimec or 3way for broadleaf control. A person can buy 2-4d, dicamba and mecoprop seperately and mix them for about $15 a gallon in a ratio similar to most trimec products. I am not including carfentrazone, but I know that it can be bought individually also. I would like to hear from someone who has bought seperately and has bought premixed. I want to know their thoughts on which makes more money when everything is said and done. I realize that it would be almost impossible to mix like this for a backpack, I am talking about 50 to 100 gallon tanks and up.

There is a reason why companies pre-mix their products. Different brand or seperate products may be suspended in mixes or have counter actions with each other. Example MSMA with 3-way or buy Trimec Plus. Premixes are proven and tested to be compatible and work.

[ant]

not worth it..
what are you guys using this yr.?

[Ric]

its not worth the chance of messing it up to save a few bucks in my opin

Three Way is too cheap to worry about messing up by mixing your own, IMHO

[hmartin]

Three Way is too cheap to worry about messing up by mixing your own, IMHO

You may be correct, but if we cannot accurately mix 2 or 3 chemicals (I don't see a huge benefit in the mecoprop for my area) shouldn't we be looking for another line of work.

Is see a lot of people buying Speedzone in my area. Isn't that stuff around 150 bucks a jug. With bermuda lawns in the South, broadleafs just aren't a big enough problem to justify buying such an expensive herbicide.

I am sure that it may be a whole different ballgame on cool season lawns, so I will not make any inferences to those broadleaf herbicide needs.

[Ric]

You may be correct, but if we cannot accurately mix 2 or 3 chemicals (I don't see a huge benefit in the mecoprop for my area) shouldn't we be looking for another line of work.

Is see a lot of people buying Speedzone in my area. Isn't that stuff around 150 bucks a jug. With bermuda lawns in the South, broadleafs just aren't a big enough problem to justify buying such an expensive herbicide.

I am sure that it may be a whole different ballgame on cool season lawns, so I will not make any inferences to those broadleaf herbicide needs.

hmartin

Who is talking about Speedzone for a $ 150??? Tractor supply will sell all kind of Threeway Herbicide for cheap. Check out the prices your self.

http://www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp?pcID=4&paID=1034

[green horizons]

The practicality of mixing concentrates is prohibitive relative to costs savings.

[hmartin]

hmartin

Who is talking about Speedzone for a $ 150??? Tractor supply will sell all kind of Threeway Herbicide for cheap. Check out the prices your self.

http://www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp?pcID=4&paID=1034

Ric, I think you are one of the smartest people that write into Lawnsite; however with that said, do you think that I don't know the market price for a few of the most commonly used chemicals in the industry?

When I started this thread I was refering to high priced, name brand herbicides that are often no better than their much cheaper alternatives.

[hmartin]

Ric,
This is from the tractor supply website. Why would anyone but a homeowner by this when you buy each chemical seperately and have this mix for 6 dollars or less. ( I know a lot of people are buying mixes similar to this in 2.5 gallon jugs at much better prices)
view larger image
1 GAL TRIMEC® BROADLEAF WEED KILLER

$19.99

TSC # 4201519
Please check with your local store for the most accurate pricing information and product availability. Prices listed are subject to change without prior notice. We reserve the right to correct pricing errors and to limit quantities.



No. 1 herbicide used by golf course superintendents and grounds keepers everywhere. Provides broad spectrum broadleaf weed control in easy to use formulation. Covers up to 64,000 square ft. on Southern grasses. Covers up to 32,000 square ft. on Northern grasses.

[Ric]

Three Way is too cheap to worry about messing up by mixing your own, IMHO

hmartin

Please Read the IMHO. The fact that I don't think it is worth the saving doesn't make it written in stone. Sure I mix Basagram and Atrazine to make the same thing as Prompt at a price savings If you want to mix Chemicals, Be my guest and do it. I personally don't make my own Threeway.

Tractor supply was the first website I could think of that would have chemical prices and they are in fact cheaper than Lesco on most products. Yes I will buy chemicals from Tractor Supply on occasion since they have a store about 3 miles from my house. They are by no means my main supplier.

My main Suppler will sell Glyphosate for $ 35.00 for a 2.5 gallon Jug. Tractor Supply sells a 2.5 gallon jug for $ 59.99 and Lesco tries to nail me to the cross at $ 114.50 a 2.5 gallon jug of Prosecutor. Their prices and idiot employees is what drives me away from doing business with Lesco. But I use Glyphosate as an example because everyone buys it.

[vegomatic40]

Generally I apply pre-mixes with one notable exception. During cool/cold weather I add Turflon Ester to amine pre-mixes in the tank. That way I can go up or down with the rate depending on temps. and the cost savings is substantial. Pre-mixed herbicides with esters also "lock you in " with a specific rate that give a narrow range of rates. I prefer the flexibility of using esters. Classic example is the crazy temps. we've had lately. Being able to completely subtract the ester during 80 degree temps last week, then add it back in this week with temps. in the 40's is very effective.

[xpnd]

On your own yard, make an application of just plain, old fashioned, antiquated, 2,4-D with a sticker and just a bit of Urea in the mix and stand back and look at the broadleaf weeds the next day. Now they won't be all brown and nasty, but they will be showing signs of distorted growth and they will go away. I use a low volatility 6lb product at a rate of .3-.5oz per 1000sft. depending on the temp. I pay about $60.00/2.5 gallon. Each jug will treat between 24-14 acres respectively. That is a maximum of $4.30/acre treated. I do not have a problem with broadleaf weeds. Without the dicamba and mecoprop, it is a whole lot friendly to the turf, particularly the St Aug. lawns. I use it in cold as well as hot weather. I know it isn't fancy, it isn't new, been around forever, it doesn't come with a fancy colorful label and it's not the first thing that comes out of your reps mouth, but it works, it's effective and it is CHEAP. Try it on your own yard as a test run.

[Ric]

On your own yard, make an application of just plain, old fashioned, antiquated, 2,4-D with a sticker and just a bit of Urea in the mix and stand back and look at the broadleaf weeds the next day. Now they won't be all brown and nasty, but they will be showing signs of distorted growth and they will go away. I use a low volatility 6lb product at a rate of .3-.5oz per 1000sft. depending on the temp. I pay about $60.00/2.5 gallon. Each jug will treat between 24-14 acres respectively. That is a maximum of $4.30/acre treated. I do not have a problem with broadleaf weeds. Without the dicamba and mecoprop, it is a whole lot friendly to the turf, particularly the St Aug. lawns. I use it in cold as well as hot weather. I know it isn't fancy, it isn't new, been around forever, it doesn't come with a fancy colorful label and it's not the first thing that comes out of your reps mouth, but it works, it's effective and it is CHEAP. Try it on your own yard as a test run.

Xpnd

It is the Dicamba that I want for Oxisilas control on St Augustine. However custom blending of Threeway is a much better reason than cost in my mind. With Atrazine now being a RUP I am using more Threeway at 0.5 rate on St Augustine. I will try straight 2,4-D at your suggested rate of 0.5 oz to start because I have some aquatic 3.8 pounds per gallon. Darn I hope I can live down learning something from a Lawn Nazi.

[xpnd]

Xpnd

Darn I hope I can live down learning something from a Lawn Nazi.

Everything Jason knows he learned from me. He can only aspire to my greatness.

If I have had Oxisilas (the clover looking weed that is considered an ornamental by some) it is not present in my St Aug lawns now. This will not be quick as when you use 3-ways. The broadleafs will not brown out and desicate as when 3-way mixes are used. They just stop growing, turn white and decompose into the soil. What I have found is that the customer is happy when the broadleafs don't shoot up again above the turf once an application is made and the lawn is cut.

I am attempting to hone my skills and become the Lawn Terrorist. I am looking into the feasibility of tossing water filled ballons containing thistle and purple nutsedge seeds onto Jason's lawns during the night so he has something to do.

[Ric]

Everything Jason knows he learned from me. He can only aspire to my greatness.



Lawn Nazi

That must be why Jason calls me for advice.

Jason tells the story just backward of you. Seems we have some charade going on here. But then Jason also tells me you are a Cantankerous Old Guy. Glad I don't have to deal with Cantankerous Old Guys.

[xpnd]

Lawn Nazi

That must be why Jason calls me for advice.

Jason tells the story just backward of you. Seems we have some charade going on here. But then Jason also tells me you are a Cantankerous Old Guy. Glad I don't have to deal with Cantankerous Old Guys.

He always said you were the #1 COG and not to piss you off too much and I was #2 COG. I'm 49. He is nothing more than a lying young curr dog. If it wasn't for me he would not have two trucks on the road this year. Ask him next time you talk to him.

[Ric]

He always said you were the #1 COG and not to piss you off too much and I was #2 COG. I'm 49. He is nothing more than a lying young curr dog. If it wasn't for me he would not have two trucks on the road this year. Ask him next time you talk to him.


L.N.

Whom am I suppose to Believe?? A young whippersnapper or a Dirty Old Man? BTW Happy Birthday, you will give up your living status and Joint AARP at age 50 next year. Better start looking at cemeteries it is getting close to that time. Jason Tells me you were older than me or at least looked one heck of a lot older. BTW I talked to Jason right after my last post to you. He was having a heck of a time trying to talk to me and drag hose all at the same time.

[Duekster]

hmartin

Please Read the IMHO. The fact that I don't think it is worth the saving doesn't make it written in stone. Sure I mix Basagram and Atrazine to make the same thing as Prompt at a price savings If you want to mix Chemicals, Be my guest and do it. I personally don't make my own Threeway.

Tractor supply was the first website I could think of that would have chemical prices and they are in fact cheaper than Lesco on most products. Yes I will buy chemicals from Tractor Supply on occasion since they have a store about 3 miles from my house. They are by no means my main supplier.

My main Suppler will sell Glyphosate for $ 35.00 for a 2.5 gallon Jug. Tractor Supply sells a 2.5 gallon jug for $ 59.99 and Lesco tries to nail me to the cross at $ 114.50 a 2.5 gallon jug of Prosecutor. Their prices and idiot employees is what drives me away from doing business with Lesco. But I use Glyphosate as an example because everyone buys it.

I have another example. 1 Gallon Primmo Maxx Lesco $650 discounted to $605. Estes - $457.00

[Ric]

I have another example. 1 Gallon Primmo Maxx Lesco $650 discounted to $605. Estes - $457.00

Duekster

Certainty and Outrider, Garlon 4 and Remedy, Etc etc. However these formulations may be Identical, But the labels are as different as the prices are. Back in Dursban days, people would buy Drusban TC (Termite Concentrate) and use it as a cost saver also.

I have just enough TREE HUGGER in me to feel this subject is a little far out for a public forum discussion. The math skills of the average lawn boy are not the best. Read the "How to Calculate Mulch" thread and my point should be made. Remember also the LABEL IS THE LAW.

[Duekster]

Duekster

Certainty and Outrider, Garlon 4 and Remedy, Etc etc. However these formulations may be Identical, But the labels are as different as the prices are. Back in Dursban days, people would buy Drusban TC (Termite Concentrate) and use it as a cost saver also.

I have just enough TREE HUGGER in me to feel this subject is a little far out for a public forum discussion. The math skills of the average lawn boy are not the best. Read the "How to Calculate Mulch" thread and my point should be made. Remember also the LABEL IS THE LAW.

I am very much a label man.

I had a guy try to sell me Certainty instead of Outrider. I needed the Outrider label. He insisted it was the same AI. I think in this case it worked for me.