From homeowners to farmers, we all need the right tools and accessories For Life Out Here. Whether you’re a professional needing heavy-duty solutions for keeping crops and land healthy, or a homeowner looking for basic tools for handling smaller lawn spaces and spot treatments, a sprayer can get the job done with ease and convenience.
But what’s the difference between agricultural sprayers and lawn and garden sprayers? And how do you know which one you need? Tractor Supply knows both types and their subtypes well, and we’re here to break down agricultural and lawn and garden sprayers, so you can figure out which one you should use for your next project.
About Agricultural Sprayers and Their Types
Farmers and horticulturists alike require heavy-duty, efficient ways to care for their crops and fields. With an agricultural sprayer, farmers have the power to spray chemicals and other substances on crops to eliminate bacteria, plant diseases, pests and weeds. But these kinds of sprayers differ from others by making the spraying process easier, especially for those looking to apply fertilizers and other products to a wider area. Agricultural sprayers come in many types and sizes to accommodate any job task that comes your way – big or small.
Tow-Behind Sprayers
When you need more efficient ways to cover large crops and fields with insecticides, pesticides and other products, rely on a tow-behind sprayer, which attaches directly to the back of your vehicle, allowing setups to tow behind and spray chemicals as you drive. Because of their construction, these sprayers are great for completing various land maintenance tasks, as well as reaching plants between rivers and trees.
Tow-behind sprayers look similar to trailers, featuring wheels for easy mobility and a connection point that you can attach to tractors, ATVs or UTVs. This makes it easy to bring setups with you to jobsites, or cover a larger area of land. These sprayers are powered manually, by a gas-driven centrifugal pump or a 12V diaphragm pump, giving you the power needed to haul setups across vast land spaces.
Pros of Tow-Behind Sprayers
- Can be attached to a variety of different vehicle types, not just trucks or tractors
- Allows you to keep chemicals on-hand in case you need them
- Tanks fit more liquids than other sprayer types, meaning you’ll be able to work longer between refills
- You won’t have to carry tanks in personal trucks, instead opting for a tractor or UTV
Cons of Tow-Behind Sprayers
- Vehicles can be difficult to drive when hauling heavy tanks
- Can cause safety issues when driving with tow-behind sprayers on the road
- You’ll have to spend more on trailer setups than with traditional handheld sprayers
- Constant impact from bumps in the road can cause trailers to damage tank components
Mounted Sprayers
Just like tow-behind versions, mounted sprayers attach to a vehicle so you can travel and spray chemicals across wider land areas. However, these differ in that they usually connect to tractors and other farm vehicles rather than personal vehicles and ATVs. Although these sprayers are usually smaller than other types, such as tow-behind or 3-point options, they are also more affordable. Mounted sprayers can also be used for precise, targeted applications, allowing you to reduce chemical waste and over-spraying.
Pros of Mounted Sprayers
- Can cover large fields and crop yields in a quick amount of time
- Usually comes with adjustable settings, allowing you to change the spray pattern and pressure
- Customize them with different nozzles depending on your application needs
- Ability to precisely apply chemicals decreases waste and eliminates over-spraying
Cons of Mounted Sprayers
- Initial costs may be too high for smaller-scale farmers
- Requires regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure well-working parts
- Maneuverability in tighter, more challenging areas is limited
3-Point Sprayers
Three-point sprayers come with a large tank capacity, allowing you to cover larger fields and crop yields, as well as wider lawns, athletic fields and golf courses. While other sprayers use manual, battery or gas power to build pressure and allow chemicals to spray, some 3-point sprayers use power from the tractor’s PTO (power take-off), which is located in the engine.
When shopping for 3-point sprayers, you must have a suitable 3-point hitch, which comes in different category ratings. The lower the category rating, the smaller in size and less durable the tractor hitch is. On the other hand, the higher the category rating, the larger and more durable your tractor hitch will be. Finding a compatible sprayer to your tractor’s hitch is essential to allowing all parts to work as they should.
Pros of 3-Point Sprayers
- Allows you to cover more land area at one time
- Makes spraying applications quicker and more convenient for large-scale jobs
- Choose from many power types depending on your job needs
- Durably and reliably attaches to your tractor or other farm vehicle for safe towing
Cons of 3-Point Sprayers
- It can be challenging to find a compatible tank for your tractor
- Large-scale construction means you won’t be able to spot spray or target specific areas
- Wider design makes it more challenging to navigate smaller, tighter land areas
- Connecting to your tractor’s PTO can potentially overwork components, meaning you may need to inspect and repair engines regularly
Spot Sprayers
Not all agricultural applications will require you to use a heavy-duty sprayer, and you may only need to treat specific areas for weeds, insects and diseases. In this case, opt for a spot sprayer, which is designed as a smaller, handheld device so you can apply weed killer, insecticides and pesticides with precision.
Pros of Spot Sprayers
- You’ll use less product when simply targeting one or two weeds
- Lightweight construction makes them easy to carry around
- Prevents damage to surrounding healthy crops and plants
Cons of Spot Sprayers
- Only covers a smaller area, meaning these aren’t suitable for large-scale spraying
- You can only fill tanks as heavy as you can carry them, meaning you won’t be able to hold as much as other options
- Smaller tank size means you’ll have to refill frequently
Exploring the Difference Between Different Lawn and Garden Sprayers
For homeowners and professional lawn care specialists, you won’t need a whole agricultural sprayer setup to get your backyard looking fresh and clean. Instead, go for a lawn or garden sprayer, which is specifically designed to make easy work of applying chemicals to lawns and garden spaces, as well as to complete basic watering for larger areas. These are designed to be smaller than agricultural sprayers, meaning they can be easily maneuvered around your yard so you can reach all areas. The different types of lawn and garden sprayers include:
Tow-Behind Sprayers
Tow-behind sprayers for your lawn attach to a variety of different vehicles, from trucks to ATVs and UTVs, and even lawn mowers with the right rear hitch plate, such as riding mowers or zero-turn options – basically whatever vehicle you have available at your home or workspace. These are better suited for homeowners with large lawn spaces or professionals needing heavy-duty equipment to get the job done quick and efficiently. Use these types of sprayers for general, broad spray treatments, or for spot treating problem areas with weed killers and pesticides.
Pros of Tow-Behind Sprayers
- Gives you heavier duty spraying power on lawn and garden spaces
- Versatile in that you can use them for both spot spraying and widespread applications
- Attaches to vehicles available to many homeowners, such as ATVs or lawn mowers
Cons of Tow-Behind Sprayers
- You can’t use these with just any lawn mower, but ones with rear hitch plates, which can be costly
- Not as great at handling small, tighter lawn areas
Handheld Sprayers
For homeowners needing a basic sprayer setup to care for smaller-sized lawns, use a handheld sprayer, which is a freestanding unit that does not attach to the back of an ATV or lawn mower. Instead, tanks are designed with a lightweight and smaller capacity, making them easy and comfortable to carry around your lawn and garden spaces. Because of their smaller size, these are great for handling walkways and driveways.
Pros of Handheld Sprayers
- Lighter weight allows easy carrying across lawns and gardens
- Smaller size makes them convenient to store in garage spaces or sheds
- You won’t need a compatible vehicle to haul tanks, such as with tow-behind options
- More affordable than heavy-duty setups
Cons of Handheld Sprayers
- You’ll have to carry heavier tanks around, and may only be able to handle lighter loads in terms of how much weight you can hold
- You may have to stop frequently to refill tanks
- Not as suitable for covering larger, wider lawn spaces
Backpack Sprayers
Backpack sprayers are similar to handheld sprayers in that they have a smaller tank capacity and lighter weight. However, these types of sprayers add convenience in carrying setups around, featuring straps so you can hold them over your shoulder, just like a backpack. They also have slightly larger tank capacities than handheld options, allowing you to continue with lawn care with minimal disruptions. Ideal for use on small-to-medium-sized lawns, these sprayers can be powered up in many ways, including batteries, as well as a gas and oil fuels.
Pros of Backpack Sprayers
- Straps allow for comfortable carrying, distributing weight across your back evenly
- Larger tank capacity means you can handle more medium-duty lawn tasks
- Multiple power options means you can find something that works best
Cons of Backpack Sprayers
- Not designed for widespread spraying applications
- You must fill tanks only as heavy as you can carry them, which means more trips to refill chemicals
UTV and ATV Sprayers
If you’re someone who loves the thrill of adventuring and exploring new places, you may have an ATV or UTV sitting in your garage or shed. But did you know you can use these recreational vehicles for much more than off-roading? With the right hitch, you can also use them with ATV and UTV sprayers. These attach directly to recreational vehicles, making it easy to haul tanks and setups around your lawn and garden. These types of sprayers use either a centrifugal or diaphragm pump, meaning you can choose something that works best for your next lawn task.
Pros of ATV and UTV Sprayers
- Attaches easily to your ATV or UTV for easy traveling across backyards
- Allows you to cover more lawn space with chemicals
- Larger tanks and ATV pulling power means you can carry more in your tank, requiring less refills
Cons of ATV and UTV Sprayers
- Added weight on your ATV or UTV can make setups challenging to drive
- Can be costly, especially if you need something for occasional, smaller jobs
- May require more maintenance than other sprayer types
Find the Plant Care Accessories You Need at Tractor Supply
Now that you know the differences between all the sprayer types, it’s time to get researching so you can purchase your own! When shopping for sprayers, it can help to evaluate the size of your lawn, the types of chemicals you intend to use, as well as how much weight you can handle. This allows you to find something that works for you, allowing you to keep your crops and lands safe and healthy, and lawns and gardens thriving and green.
When you’re ready to purchase your next sprayer, look no further than us. As America’s largest rural lifestyle retailer, we have the options you need to complete any task in your lawn, garden or agricultural space. To learn more about our sprayer options, visit your local Tractor Supply store today or browse online.