For large gardens and commercial farms alike, spraying large areas with fertilizers, pesticides, or even just water can be a challenging and time consuming affair. One simple and cost effective solution is the ATV sprayer. These handy devices can be mounted on the back of any all-terrain vehicle, and allow users to cover a much larger area, with much less hassle, than a conventional spraying backpack. They’re the perfect inbetween for fields and lawns that are too small for a tractor, but too big for spraying by hand.
As useful as they are, it should come as no surprise that you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing an ATV sprayer of your own. That’s why we’ve searched the internet for the seven best quad sprayers on the market right now. To help you work out which one is right for you, we’ve also put together a handy buying guide, and answered some common questions about how to use these devices safely, so you can get the most out of them.
The Best ATV Sprayer
Kicking off our list is Ironton’s compact and sturdy eight gallon sprayer. The device hinges on a very high quality tank, made from chemical-resistant Santoprene. This material is designed specifically for tanks of this kind – its inert chemical structure does not interfere with the fertilisers or pesticides inside. On top of this, the tank is resistant to UV radiation, protecting the chemicals inside from the ionising properties of the sun’s rays. Gallon marks on the side of the tank make it easy to keep track of fluid levels, too.
The rest of this boomless ATV sprayer is put together to the same quality, and with the same care. At the tank’s bottom, an easy-empty bottom drain makes removing excess liquid from the device a breeze. The sprayer also comes with its own spray gun nozzle, which can be adjusted from stream to cone, keeping up with diverse spraying needs. With a 12 foot vertical, and 20 foot horizontal maximum spray distance, Ironton’s ATV weed sprayer is ideal for both domestic use and small scale farms.
- 8 gallon ATV sprayer
- Tank is resistant to chemicals and UV radiation
- Gallon marks make it easy to monitor fluid levels
- Boomless design
- Versatile sprayer nozzle can spray in a stream or cone
- Features an easy-empty bottom drain
- 12 foot vertical, and 20 foot horizontal maximum spraying distance
- Brand Ironton
- Weight 10 pounds
The next device to earn on a spot on our list is this hardy and versatile 15 gallon ATV sprayer. The larger, 15 gallon, tank is ideal for spraying weeds in larger areas. Its tank is made from heavy duty plastic, designed to stand up against corrosion from whatever pesticide, herbicide, or fertilizer you choose to fill it with.
The 12 volt sprayer can deliver the tank’s contents at up to 60 PSI, giving you the reach you need to get the job done in no time. It’s easy to mount in the rear basket of both ATVs and tractors, making it ideal for both commercial and domestic use. The sprayer also includes a handgun with thumb control, and a 15 foot hose. At the bottom of the device, a drain plug makes it easy to release excess contents and rinse. Users say this handy sprayer is easy to install, long-lasting, and capable of providing excellent spray control. The boomless design is among the ATV spot sprayers about right now.
- ATV or tractor-mounted sprayer with 15 gallon tank
- Tank made from heavy duty plastic to avoid corrosion from the chemicals inside
- 12 volts
- Capable of delivering liquids at up to 60 PSI
- Easy to mount
- Includes a 15 foot hose, and handgun with thumb control
- Boomless sprayer design
- Brand Precision Products
- Model TCS15
- Weight 16 pounds
Chapin’s ATV sprayer has also earned itself a spot on our list. The handy device is tailored specifically for mounting on a wide variety of vehicles – it can also be used as a tractor or UTV sprayer. The large, 15 gallon tank is made from heavy-duty, chemical resistant plastic, so you can fill it with whatever you need worry-free. The tank also features a wide five inch opening, for convenient filling and mixing.
The sprayer’s 12 volt diaphragm pump is easy to hook up to a battery with simply alligator clips, and can spray at an impressive maximum pressure of 70 PSI. This pressure allows you to spray 26 feet vertically, and 30 feet horizontally. Finally, a double filtration system helps prevent debris from getting caught up in the spraying mechanism, significantly extending its lifetime. The sprayer is boomless, but Chapin also offer a boom kit that you can install for larger area spraying.
- ATV, tractor, and UTV sprayer with a 15 gallon tank capacity
- Tank is constructed from heavy duty, chemical resistant plastic
- Features a wide, 5 inch opening for easy filling and mixing
- 12 volt diaphragm pump can deliver sprays at up to 70 PSI
- Maximum spray distances of 26 feet vertically, and 30 feet horizontally
- Double filtration system helps to increase the sprayer’s lifetime
- Boomless design, but boom kit is available
- Brand Chapin
- Model 97300N
- Weight 22.4 pounds
The next ATV sprayer to make our list is this handy device by Seaflo. The sprayer features a Santoprene diaphragm and Viton valves, designed to offer superior chemical resistance, hence reliability. The tank itself is constructed from durable HDPE plastic, designed to stand up to the sun’s UV radiation. This durability makes it ideal for use around the garden and farm whatever the weather.
Each Seaflo sprayer comes with a four year warranty, too, so you can rest assured it’s equipped to stand up to regular use for many years to come. With a maximum flow rate of one gallon per minute (GPM), and a top pressure of 80 PSI, the device is powerful enough to give you the reach you need no matter what. As well as this, the sprayer has its own carrying handles, making it easy to manoeuvre and store. Meanwhile, a large filling lid makes for easy filling and mixing, helping to prevent spillage, and the environmental effects that this can cause. Customers say the sprayer is easy to use, and ready to go in a matter of seconds. Thanks to its 15 foot hose, it’s easy to get off the ATV and walk for spraying in higher areas, such as treetops.
- ATV sprayer with a 15 gallon tank
- Constructed from chemical and UV resistant plastics
- Includes a 4 year warranty
- Maximum flow rate of 1 GPM
- Delivers a top pressure of 80 PSI
- Features carrying handles
- Large filling lid to prevent spillage
- 15 foot hose included
- Brand Seaflo
- Model SFSP1-050-010-01A
- Weight 15 pounds
BE Agriease is the next manufacturer to earn a spot on our list. Their sturdy 15 gallon sprayer is a versatile option suitable quick and easy spot spraying. The device comes with its own custom mounting straps, making it easy to install on the back of any ATV. It also features a large removable filling cap, helping to prevent spillage and wastage. A drainage cap at the bottom of the heavy-duty plastic tank makes it easy to clean out, too.
The sprayer also comes with its own hose and handgun, allowing you to adjust the pressure of the spray to meet your needs. It’s easy to hook up to a 12 volt battery thanks to the alligator clips included, and the wand can be clipped to the side of the tank for easy and convenient storage. Users report that it’s easy to set up and well made.
- 15 gallon boomless ATV sprayer
- Custom mounting straps included
- Large filling cap for easy mixing and fewer spills
- Spraying wand clips to the tank for easy storage
- Includes a handgun with adjustable spray pressure
- Brand BE Agriease
- Model 143696557
- Weight 18.7 pounds
This NorthStar sprayer is the next device to make it onto our list. If you need to spray large areas, its accommodating 26 gallon tank has more than enough room to meet both domestic and agricultural needs. The tank also features a rectangular design, engineered to offer improved stability.
It’s made from heavy duty, chemical resistant plastic, so you can fill it with whatever herbicide, pesticide, or fertilizer you need, worry-free. The plastic is also designed to stand up to UV radiation, allowing it to stand up to sun damage for many years to come, and protecting the tank’s contents. Users say the simple sprayer works exactly as designed, and is built to a very high quality. The tank also features gallon markers on its side, making it easy to see when you need to top up.
- ATV sprayer featuring a 26 gallon tank
- Rectangular design offers great stability
- Chemical resistant tank
- Made from UV resistant plastic
- Simple to use
- Brand NorthStar
- Model 2691
- Weight 15 pounds
Last, but not least, is Chapin’s second entry on our list. Their BioLogic sprayer is constructed from sturdy polyethylene, designed to stand up to any chemicals within the tank, and any UV rays it’s exposed to. The pump can produce 70 PSI of pressure and a flow rate of 2.2 GPM, giving you more than enough power to spray even hard to reach spots.
It also features an adjustable brass nozzle, a pressure gauge, and a manifold that makes for easy boom installation. It can spray up to 30 feet horizontally, allowing you to get at everything you need without having to step away from your ATV. The 15 foot hose included also means you can hop off the vehicle when necessary, and reach high spots such as trees. Customers say the sprayer is easy to install, with everything you need included, and functions perfectly.
- Boomless ATV sprayer with a 15 gallon tank
- Polyethylene tank is chemical resistant
- Heavy duty plastic is UV resistant
- Pump produces 70 PSI of pressure
- Produces a flow rate of 2.2 GPM
- Features an adjustable brass nozzle and pressure gauge
- Manifold makes installing a boom simple
- 15 foot hose included
- Easy to install, with all the necessary hardware included
- Brand Chapin International
- Model 6500
- Weight 22.4 pounds
Best ATV Sprayer Buying Guide & FAQ
These seven sprayers are the best the market has to offer right now, and we’re confident you’ll be able to find the right one for you here. To help you make up your mind, we’ve put together this handy buying guide.
Below, we outline a few factors to consider, and how to use these useful devices as safely and efficiently as possible.
Things to Consider When Buying an ATV Sprayer
When selecting an ATV sprayer for your farm, allotment, garden, or yard, there are plenty of things to consider. Below we outline some of the main factors to bear in mind:
- Do you need a Boom?
The first thing to ask yourself when making this purchase is whether you might need an ATV sprayer with boom included. If you’re planning on using your device to spray large areas of land – such as a field or lawn – investing in a boom could be a good option. You’ll be able to cover the area much more quickly, without having to step off the ATV. You can purchase longer of shorter booms to spray differently sized areas.
- Tank Capacity
The next factor to bear in mind when purchasing an ATV sprayer is its tank size. You’ll find a variety of sizes to choose from, with 15 gallons being the most common for domestic and small scale use. If you need to spray bigger areas, you could consider purchasing a 26 gallon tank, such as number six on our list.
- Durability
It’s also a good idea to take durability into account when purchasing your ATV sprayer. Look out for a model that features a reinforced hose, and a tank made from heavy duty plastic. Because of the powerful chemicals you’ll be putting into the sprayer tank, it’s also essential that the plastic is chemical resistant. UV resistance is another good quality to look out for in the tank, especially if you live in a warm climate.
- Pressure and Flow Rate
The pressure and flow rate a sprayer can produce should also be considered when making your purchase. Higher pressures (PSI) and flow rates (GPM) improve your sprayer’s reach, and may result in a quicker spraying process overall. To give you a rough idea of how pressure translates into reach, a sprayer that produces 70 PSI can spray up to 30 feet horizontally.
- Hose Length
Hose length is another factor that determines what sort of reach your ATV sprayer will have. If you don’t intend to use a boom, you will probably have to hop off the vehicle from time to time in order to reach certain spots, and a long hose will make this far easier. Most ATV sprayers include a hose that is around 15 feet in length. This is usually more than enough for small-scale applications, and this component is relatively easy to replace should you need more give.
Benefits of Using an ATV Sprayer
Picking up a good quality ATV sprayer has a number of benefits:
- ATV Sprayers are Perfect for Large-Scale Use
The main benefit of ATV sprayers is that they make it far easier to cover a lot of ground fairly quickly than other spraying options. Its larger tank can accommodate enough pesticide, herbicide, water, or fertilizer to cover large spaces – this just wouldn’t be possible with a sprayer backpack without frequent refills.
- Ease of Use
One reason that ATV sprayers are so popular is that they can be used by just about anyone. Whether you’re an agricultural savant or gardening novice, you don’t need any great arm strength or technical skill to operate these sprayers.
- Portability
Because they are simply attached to the back of your ATV, this type of sprayer is also extremely easy to move from place to place. ATVs are designed to go pretty much anywhere off-road, so they’re a great place to mount this kind of equipment.
- Versatility
The fact that you can put pretty much anything into the tank of your ATV sprayer is another point in their favor. Whether you simply need the sprayer for irrigation, or want to spot-treat weeds, there’s an appropriate tool to attach to the sprayer, and an appropriate fluid to place in the tank.
Types of ATV Sprayers
When you come to choose a sprayer to attach to your ATV, you’ll find there are actually a couple of different types:
- Pull-Type ATV Sprayers
As their name suggests, pull-type ATV sprayers are dragged along behind your ATV, much like a trailer. They tend to be more expensive to purchase, and require more knowledge to use, than other types of ATV sprayers. However, these drawbacks are countered by the fact that they have much bigger tanks and longer booms, allowing you to spray very large areas in a single pass.
- Mounted ATV Sprayers
These are the type of sprayer featured on today’s list; they are much better suited to domestic and light commercial use than their pull-type siblings. The design consists of a tank which is mounted on top of your ATV, rather than being dragged along behind. They are much more compact and easier to use than their pull-type counterparts, but tend to have considerably smaller tanks.
How to Install ATV Sprayer?
Luckily, installing a sprayer on your ATV is fairly straightforward. The process will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but you can expect to follow these basic steps:
1. Gather together your equipment:
- ATV
- Sprayer
- Measuring device
- Four rubber tie-down straps
2. Remove the seat. This will usually involve a simple handle or button on the ATV
3. Locate the wires to be attached to the sprayer
4. Put the seat back on, and set the sprayer on the back of the ATV, with the hose facing backwards
5. Extend the hose enough so you can comfortably spray while sitting on the ATV
6. Next, attach the tank to the ATV using the four rubber tie-down straps, tucking the rest of the hose under them to keep it out of the way
7. Attach the battery wires to the spray motor wires
Before you purchase any type of sprayer, make sure you have the appropriate license for whatever it is you want to spray. For instance, to spray pesticides, you will need to obtain a pesticide license. You can get the process started online through the Department of Agriculture.
Best ATV Sprayer FAQ:
As the name suggests, an ATV sprayer is a type of sprayer which can be attached to all terrain vehicles, also known as four-wheelers. ATV sprayers can either be mounted on the vehicle itself, or towed behind them like a trailer. They’re a great option for spraying mid-sized areas, as well as spaces that wouldn’t be easily accessible to a tractor. They’re ideal for spraying herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and water over relatively large areas such as lawns, and help you to cover ground much faster and more efficiently than a manual sprayer. ATV sprayers are a cost effective spraying solution, too – one that’s mounted on the back of your ATV can be purchased from as little as $100, making them a great investment considering how much time and labor they can save.
As we mentioned earlier, tank size is an important factor to consider when selecting your ATV sprayer. This choice will ultimately boil down to a single question: how big is the space you’ll be spraying? The larger the area you’re planning to spray, the bigger your tank will need to be. You can work out how many square feet can be sprayed per tank quite easily. To work through an example, we’ll consider Roundup weedkiller. This herbicide has an application rate of 1,000 square feet per gallon, meaning that for every gallon in your tank, you could treat 1,000 square feet of land. If your ATV sprayer has a tank capacity of 15 gallons, which many do, you can expect the tank to treat 15,000 square feet (1,394 square meters if you prefer). Before making your purchase, get a rough sense of the size of your spraying area, and the application rates of the chemicals you plan to spray on it.
Almost all ATVs feature the same overarching design principles, so you should be able to attach a sprayer to any vehicle with relative ease. However, there are a few features you can look out for to ensure your ATV is up to the task of spraying:
Space at the rear to mount the tank
Good quality tires to ensure traction on lawns and fields
An easily removable seat for convenient installation
Our Top Pick
For us, the best AVT sprayer on the market right now has to be Ironton’s compact and versatile model. The sprayer features an eight gallon tank, constructed from chemical and UV resistant plastic that’s built to last, even with frequent use. The gallon marks moulded into the side of the tank make it easy to monitor the fluid levels inside.
Thanks to its three and a half inch opening and easy-empty bottom drain, filling, mixing, and cleaning out the tank is a breeze. The wide opening minimizes spillages, too, reducing your environmental impact. The sprayer also comes with its own adjustable spray gun nozzle, which can disperse liquids in either a stream or a cone. With its clear PVC hose, it’s easy to spot any blockages early on. A braided cord around the hose reinforces it, too, ensuring the device will last for many years to come. Overall, this is the best ATV sprayer boomless design.
Sources:
- How to Set Up and Use a Sprayer on a Four-wheeler – Instructables
- How Off-Road ATVs Work – HowStuffWorks