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Guitargain

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have used several different 2 gallon sprayers over the last several years. I can't seem to get one to last more than a season maybe. I recently bought some Milwaukee cordless tools from Home Depot. I see they have a Milwaukee 4 gallon M18 battery powered sprayer. It's not cheap, but was wondering If anyone here has used one and what the thoughts are on them. Thanks.
 
Ask @Mark Oomkes how he likes em.
They're great when they work.

They're under warranty so when anything breaks (which they have a lot) we just bring them back and get a replacement. Since they won't give me my money back.They're going to lose out more than if they just refunded me.
 
I can't speak for Mark, who I'm sure has a LOT more experience with these. For my part, I've had two rather small issues.

First, the wand dribbles. That's not an issue for most, but I frequently put this on my car's back seat, so I zip tied a small plastic spice jar that the wand tip now sits in. It worked well enough last year, but I plan to upgrade the attachment system from zip-ties this year.

Second, the pump likes to suck air and lose prime as you approach the bottom half gallon. It's just the nature of this flat bottomed tank.
 
The wand dribbling is a pain, that I can live with.

Loses prime, can't go below 1/4 tank. Pressure fluctuates. 2 out of the first 3 failed within the first 2 weeks. I believe one didn't work right out of the box.

This is from another one of my reviews. I really wanted them to just buy them back, they weren't going for it.

They ALL lose consistent pressure at between 1/2-1 gallon of product left in the tank. It doesn't matter whether the applicator is stationary or walking. Pressure is lost, then builds, then lost. The motor\pump is running the entire time but will not maintain a constant pressure. I have disassembled several of them to make sure there are no restrictions in the line anywhere.

Also, one of them has leaked approximately 2.5 gallons of product through the wand in about 5 days. Power is off and the wand is closed, but it is still leaking.

I removed the stupid screens in an attempt to eliminate that as the problem for losing pressure, it isn't.

I can't really say where we're at right now. Any time one leaks, or whatever minor thing goes wrong (other than the dribbling) we just return it for a replacement. Very frustrating for what is a great concept.
 
FWIW i like the chapin battery backpack. I don't use it a lot. But it was cheap and knock on wood is working great on year two. Recommend adding a pressure regulation tip.
Ran those for a couple years, then nothing but problems. Threw the rest away.
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
I took it back to Home Depot today. That was a snafu to say the least. I bought the sprayer in a package deal with a blower. The blower works fine no problems. I drove 36 miles to the store with the receipt. got there told them I wanted to return it and get another one, after making sure that if I get another one I can get my money back it it has the same problem. I was advised I had to bring back the blower too. they knew from the receipt that I had purchased it with a Home Depot CC online. I drove 36 miles home, got the blower and returned. THEN they ask me if I have the CC with me and I told them no, they said that I could get a refund back to the CC but unless I had it with me they couldn't re-order one. WHAT? So I kinda got a little aggravated and told them fine then I will find somewhere else to do my shopping from now on, and the lady said that's fine, WOW. Started to walk out and saw asked an associate if there was a store manager I could talk to because I wasn't happy with my experience today. He took me to the assistant manager and she got it all worked out. I also caught the deal on sale for about 35 cheaper than it is today and they tried to say I had to pay the price that's up today and I said No that aint happening, so they are getting me another for the same price, which only makes sense. Why would I pay more for something that is defective? Anyhow, I will try the second one when it comes and if it leaks too then I will just get my money back.
 
I tried a My 4 sons battery powered backpack a year ago and it worked great all last summer and fall. I went to use it this year and the battery meter had been cracked so I contacted them and they sent me a whole brand new sprayer. I can spray 5 hours a day all week on one charge and recharge it on the weekends.
 
I have 3 of the Chapins. I think this is either year 3 or 4 and no major issues. One has a slight pulsating in the pump when spraying but holds pressure just fine.

I also have 3 of the My 4 sons sprayers. I use one for round up, one for small shrub spraying and bought the 3rd one this winter for whatever. They did upgrade the lid as it now has a full seal. They also upgraded the unit so now you can easily remove the battery and replace it with a fully charged one. The older ones you had to charge with the battery in the unit. It does have a knob so you can adjust the PSI and a dedicated switch used for max PSI, but does not have agitation...not a big deal. I did get the spray gun and a couple of the quick disconnects to go with them.

So far I am happy with the 2 sprayers in use now going into year 3
 
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There's a couple threads on these...they are absolute garbage.
I own one (and personally know others who've owned them too), and I agree. I'd certainly steer people away from purchasing, but that's not helpful advice for those who have them. Still, I feel your frustration.

I have a Milwaukee 4 gallon sprayer. Pump kicks on but nothing comes out. Took nozzle off, nothing even getting to handle. Is there a filter or something plugged?
Yes, there's a removable strainer/filter in the bottom, and it's 80% of the trouble with these machines. It clogs up way too quickly and the only way to access it is to reach into the bottom of the tank. For that reason, I've stopped using mine with anything I don't want to stick my bare hands into. i.e. I use mine with insecticidal soap and stuff like that, but no longer use it with fungicides. It will reliably clog up if you're using WP products, but may be less of a nuisance with pure liquids.

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It's a quarter turn to unlock and pull out, and the first time you remove it, it's going to be very difficult because the rubber seal sticks. Once you clean it, put a little o-ring safe silicone grease on the seal and future cleanings will be less of a struggle (think about changing headlamp bulbs in a car, because it's just about the same thing).

The other 20% of trouble with these sprayers is that you can forget about using the last half gallon in the tank, because it always seems to be sucking air. The tank design is such that once it's on your shoulders, sloshing exposes that inlet filter to the air long before the tank is near empty. I don't know of a workaround for this, so I no longer use this for anything where an accurate dilution ratio is important (which is pretty much anything with a label).

I wonder how well it would work with one of my foamjet tips and some carwash solution...
 
I have two that are about 3 years old and they are used weekly. I have been happy with them since chunking the strainers shortly after purchase. The only other issue is that the brass contacts between the tank and motor will get crud build up and need to be scaped off ocassionally. I run t-jet nozzles on both. The loss of suction on a low tank is real, just lean to the left to get that squeal out of the pig.
 
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