So, I used an Ortho hose end sprayer for the first time last weekend. I was expecting a controlled application similar to my pump sprayer. However, it seemd to go through the product very, very quickly and I definitely overapplied (It was Aerify Plus so probably didn't matter too much). With it set at 3oz rate it seemed like I would almost have to jog around the lawn to apply it at the correct rate and avoid over-spraying. I don't know, maybe it just takes some getting used to? Did I do something wrong? Does anyone have any advice/suggestions?

You did nothing wrong, hose ends pump product really fast. Set the sprayer far lower and don't jog.

The same's true of any hose-end sprayer, so no matter what you use you'll end up doing that.

Thanks Morp. My new one is still in the box.

One thing that might help is installing one of those ball valve on/off thingamajigs you can get at Home Depot just behind the sprayer (I have one on my Chapin). It would enable you to moderate the flow a bit (ball valves aren't great at that, but it works).

Most sprayers' venturis don't work well at very low pressure so you'd need to keep it reasonably high, but at least you might be able to reduce the flow a bit.

Thanks for the feedback! I thought it would be impossible to move around the lawn that quickly! I guess reducing the rate makes a lot more sense!

That is way too fast. Are you sure your numbers aren't rubbed off and you were applying at 8 instead of 3?

Dchall_San_Antonio wrote:That is way too fast. Are you sure your numbers aren't rubbed off and you were applying at 8 instead of 3?

I just saw this post...

No, it was a brand new Ortho... first time I used it actually. I used it again since then and reduced the rate to 1.5 and it was much better, but I still ran out before I thought I would. I am walking in rows at a steady pace too, not very slow. I actually wondered if it just is defective.

Nope, I use #21 on my Chapin (the lowest setting) and moving at moderate speed I still overapply.

If I used setting #3 I believe I would have to fly over the property...

For things like Aerify Plus, our Kelp and Conditioner, a bit of over application doesn't matter in the slightest. I'd be much more careful with herbicides or insecticides, of course, but those warnings simply don't apply here.

I usually set the rate on my sprayer (chapin hose end) to half the rate recommended and walk briskly. For me, that usually ends up distributing about the amount I want. For herbicides I use a backpack sprayer. Just about everything else goes through the hose end sprayer. It is just too painfull to use the backpack for 12k sq ft of lawn if I don't absolutely need it. It is good exercise, but I'll end up with a giant left arm from all the pumping. The right will stay thin and stick like. Not a good look, I think.

Same with me and 10,000 sq ft. Plus at my age it was starting to do a fair bit of damage to my shoulder joint, so I had to discontinue the backpack. I really don't need joint replacement surgery when there's an alternate method.

MorpheusPA wrote:I really don't need joint replacement surgery when there's an alternate method.

Shoulder joint replacement in particular you don't really want - or elbow. They are definitely last resort solutions. Hip and knee seem to do much better than the upper arm from what I have seen.

So I hear, and one fellow I know need knee replacement at the age of 35. He played football, though.

With no longer using the backpack, my shoulder's much better and no longer hurts.

MorpheusPA wrote:So I hear, and one fellow I know need knee replacement at the age of 35. He played football, though.

With no longer using the backpack, my shoulder's much better and no longer hurts.

Ouch. 35 is young and artificial knees aren't near as durable as the originals. While the newer ones are better and last longer, they still start to wear out at ~20 years.