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Western Pa.

I have recently acquired a Stihl mister/blower. My questions are two-fold. I have in the past, and will be continuing to use Agro K products. My hand held sprayer used to clog up with diluted molasses. Is this a problem I will encounter with the blower/mister?
Second question is from a safety/health issue. Although I will continue to spray insecticide with the old hand sprayer, just what products can be SAFELY sprayed in the mister? (Fungicides, etc.) Do you use a filter mask?, if so what type filters?

Thanks in advance, would like to remain alive for a few more growing seasons! Good luck to ALL out there!

KILR

5/16/2010 10:57:25 AM

milford, CT,

Kilr...everything will go through the mist blower...the nozzle end is very open. Periodically clean with a spray tank cleaner product...You'll be amazed how 1 hour of work is now going to take 5 minutes...Mark

5/16/2010 11:11:58 AM

Anchorage, Alaska

I wear a minimum; safety glasses, general filter mask, and will be adding nitrile gloves. I also wear full coverage clothes that are immediately thrown in the washer afterwards.

If you have kids and pets around, it is safe to assume the dog has gone and rolled in the freshly sprayed patch as soon as you turn your back so don't let it around the kids or keep it inside for the day.

5/16/2010 12:09:31 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

It can be cleaned monthly with warm water and dish detergent followed by a good flushing with rinse water. Just let the detergent solution soak for a while before firing it up and expelling the rinsate.

Just be aware that combining incompatible products can cause gumming or even plugging. Don't be tempted to spray everything all at once.

5/16/2010 12:26:35 PM

Buffalo, New York

i may be buying a hudson.....but the hudson is only like 1hp....my question is...

Can you sprayer the WHOLE plant from outside the vines, or do these sprayers require you to still have to walk between the vines to spray the complete areas?

my patch is 23'x45' with 2 plants....how long do you think this would take me to spray with a power sprayer?

5/16/2010 12:49:42 PM

You're better off with safety goggles than safety glasses. Glasses are for impact resistance; goggles seal around the face and keep mists, etc., from entering.

I also use a respirator with add-on organics filter (paint aisle in the hardware store). The standard respirator is for particulates, the organic filter pack snaps over the top of that. Make sure you know how to fit it properly (read the instructions on how to perform a fit/seal check).

There's probably better systems out there, but I try not to spray anything terribly nasty (though definition of nasty may vary from person to person) and use best practices - don't spray when it's windy, check for any slight breeze and spray with the wind so spray isn't blowing back into my face, etc.

Since the mist blower is spraying at 100+ mph, it generally overcomes slight breezes, but it's good practice nonetheless.

By the way, it's freaking awesome. I love my 420. Try not to destroy any of your plants or blow away your cloches or any small land mammals.

5/17/2010 11:47:20 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

kilr, no disrespect meant, but if mollases is cloggin up yer Stihl mist blower...one of two options you can go with...!!! Sell it or Krank it up!!! LOL Just kiddin!!! I would seriously suggest, mix all yer mollases w/ half yer water (making the first mix w/ hot water (very hot)...mix well...then add the other half of yer water!! Molasses is mostly sugar...or maybe all sugar!!! The hot water will make it more flowable!!! Peace, Wayne

5/18/2010 2:33:16 AM

Circleville ,OH.

Jim sell your handheld sprayer, you wont need it anymore. The stihl will spray everything you need to and you wont have to walk thru the plants.

5/18/2010 7:20:56 PM