trying to get started...please help

[BS1190]

I'm currently trying to get prepared to do weed control/fertilizing next year. I am currently studying for the licensing exams.

What I need help with is the equipment to buy to get started. I'm not going to invest into a big tank and gas powered pump for the back of my pick up.

what is better- liquid or granular?

If I should go liquid-then I will buy tank sprayer to pull behind my rider and a good pump sprayer.

If I should go granular-then I will by a broadcast spreader to pull behind my rider and then a push broadcast spreader.

Do you have any suggestions?

Where do you go to buy the fertilizer/herbicides? Home Depot? TSC? Bomgaars? Or are there places that specializing in selling the stuff?

Thanks

[kenny s]

BS1190,
Something you might want to look into on the Gregson-Clark site, (gregsonclark.com) is the "Spreader Mate" which is a self contained sprayer unit that fits into your walk behind spreader, and you attach a 62" spray boom that comes with it to the front of the spreader with 2 bolts. The boom will give you 80" of coverage. There are two models, but the model with the boom sprayer is the one you would want to get. The spray unit literally sits inside the spreader, (preferably you need to have the Earth-way model 2170 or the Lesco commercial model, but the Lesco is much more expensive. I have an Earthway 2170 spreader and the sales man said it would fit right in to it. The sprayer holds 9 gallons of liquid and has the pump, psi gage, battery, etc on top of it. This is perfect for me because I do not need to have the 100's of gallons of liquid in a big p/u mounted unit. I want to be able to put it in my trailer of pick up and take it with me and after cutting lawns, spray weed killer, insecticide, ect on the lawn. At 20 psi the 9 gallons will do approx. 30,000 sq. ft. Of course if you need alot more liquid then a bigger unit is required. You can buy the battery charger with it for $60.00 to recharge it. the battery will do 90 minutes of spraying on a charge. It will only take me minutes to do some of my lawns with a 62' boom that covers 80". I could get thru a whole day with one charge. The unit with boom is $772.00 + shipping, (approx. 30.00). YOu could also go the motorized stand on spreader sprayers, Lesco, Perma Green, for example. There are sponsors on this site that sell this equipment, check them out as well. Good luck. Aslo, the 3 best spreaders to buy, (they are costly but very good and will last a long time if you take care of them), is Earthway commercial or professional, Lesco comm/pros, or Stryker comm or stainless steel. Rittonhouse.com is also good to check out.
kenny s

[humble1]

homeowner i bet

[Rcgm]

homeowner i bet

LOL cough up your info Humble :laugh:



Brad

[kenny s]

BS11909,
Where yo buy your fert/herb's depends on what quality you want to buy. You could go to Lowes, Home Depot and get pretty good materials, or you could go to Lesco, or whatever landscape supply company near to you that sells prof. grade products. The people who work there are usually informed and will help you choose the product you need at that time of season. You can learn from some of these people who are really educated in this field, like for instance at Lesco or a place similar to that. The equipment they sell are usually prof/comm grade as well. As far as fertilizers go, granular is best unless you have a big spray unit on a p/u truck to apply wetable ferts. Weed killers are best in liquid form, (I have found), that is my opinon, and that is where that "Spreader Mate" sprayer I mentioned to you in my other reply to you comes in. I am tired of doing a whole lawn with my 4 gallon back pack pump sprayer, it takes to long and you never get the whole lawn properly. I am looking forward to using mine when it comes. If you would like me to write to you and tell you how it works send me a private message with you email address and I will be happy to.
kenny s

[BS1190]

BS1190,
The unit with boom is $772.00 + shipping, (approx. 30.00).
kenny s

Well sounds all good, but I don't have $772.00. This is my second season for my business. Last year I started it up with just a push mower and pickup truck and no capital. The season went pretty well and I bought a trailer and some other equipment but I'm starting this season with almost no money in the bank.

So..... I was thinking more along the lines of a good broadcast spreader for $50.....

[Runner]

Don't even think of doing fertilization, let alone pesticide application with a 50 dollar spreader.

[Please_Be_Green]

So..... good broadcast spreader for $50.....


I'm thinking oxymoron...


While I think you can spend a little less for a scott's broadcast spreader at HD, Lowes... I'm not sure I would say this is "good".

Depending on how much fert your planning on throwing... could possibly last a season but I'd question the calibration....

I know my 50# Lesco Spreader w/deflector shield ran me close to $200.

[BS1190]

I'm thinking oxymoron...


While I think you can spend a little less for a scott's broadcast spreader at HD, Lowes... I'm not sure I would say this is "good".

Depending on how much fert your planning on throwing... could possibly last a season but I'd question the calibration....

I know my 50# Lesco Spreader w/deflector shield ran me close to $200.


I understand the concept of cheaper upfront vs cheaper in the long run. My question though is should I get a cheap sprayer to pull behind rider or a cheap broadcast spreader to pull behind my mower. Either way I have to go cheap up front and not cheaper in long rund because I don't got the dough right now to buy quality....

[kenny s]

BS1190,
If you cannot afford to buy a good spreader for $200 - $300 which will last you a long time if you take care of it, then forget about a sprayer because they are more $$. The only place I think you can find a spray unit for $200 to $300 or less is Northern Tool & Equipment. (northerntool.com) They do have tow behind units and units you mount on ATV's. The only kind of spreader you are going to get for $50.00 is homeowner junk. Runner is right, you cannot trust the calibrations or durablility of those cheap spreaders. Have you tried Craigs List to see if anyone, (contractor) is selling equipment and maybe a spreader in good condd. as well? I own an Earthway model 2170 which is 100 lb rated and it will last me a very long time. It is just shy of $200.00, (if you look at other landscape supply sites you can find it cheaper), and the Lesco is way more $$ if you buy the comm/pro unit. I just went to one of the Earthway sites, (earthwayoutlet.com) and they do have 2 pull behinds, one is Model 2050 for $89,99 - 80lb and the model 2170 tow behind is $204.00 @ 100 lbs. They have a model 2150 tow behind for $174.00 @ 50 lbs. I hope this helps you my friend. I have been where you are many years ago when I started,b ut if you buy cheap equipment you will only pay twice when you have to replace it again and again. Good luck.
Kenny S.
PS Maybe one of the contractors on this site that are not to far from you may have a comm. spreader they are willing to sell to you,it is worth a try.