Mist 'R Drench Sprayers

Siebring Manufacturing's, George, Iowa, line of Mist 'R Drench Sprayers--one of three lines of sprayers offered by Siebring--is highly maneuverable and features constant agitation for wettable powders in the tank. The sprayers are built to serve a wide range of greenhouse or nursery operations, and the versatility of being gasoline or electric powered makes the sprayers suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Because selecting dependable and long lasting equipment is a key factor for a successful business, we asked growers to evaluate and share their experiences with Mist 'R Drench Sprayers.

Features

Pressure. The Mist 'R Drench line of sprayers features tank sizes from 55-200 gal. and pressure of 800 PSI--making them suitable for any size operation. "We have a Mist 'R Drench 50-gal. sprayer," said Tom McElroy, president/treasurer of Newton Greenhouse, Newton, N.H. "They have really high pressure, which allows growers to get good coverage on the plants. The pressure can be adjusted with just the flip of a valve, and pressure can be changed from high to relatively low so growers can drench pot by pot."

According to Doug Barrow, production manager of Gro N-Sell, Chalfont, Pa., the sprayer's high pressure has helped with the reduction of chemical costs. Barrow said they currently have three Siebring sprayers: Two Mist 'R Drench 55- and 200-gal. sprayers and one Fox 35-gal. sprayer. "I like Siebring's sprayers mainly because of the high pressure. They have variable, adjustable nozzles, and growers really like that because if they need to get the back of the bench, they can adjust the nozzle to shoot much further. When spraying outdoors, growers can lower the pressure to get larger-size droplets, and they don't have to worry about drift as much."

Maneuverability. Mist 'R Drench Sprayers are designed with a towing tongue and 10-inch balloon tires, ensuring an easy roll on gravel or concrete surfaces. "These sprayers are very easy to pull," said Mike Drimes, personnel production assistant of Swift Greenhouses, Gilman, Iowa. "We have 60-gal. Mist 'R Drench Sprayers. They are not wide, and even with a heavy spray load, they are able to go down a narrow aisle and turn corners easily."

Agitation. The sprayer's tank has constant agitation for wettable powders, which keeps the chemicals from settling during spraying. "We haven't had a problem with the settling of chemicals," McElroy said. "The material is recirculating as you are spraying, and the sprayer does a good job of keeping the spraying mix uniform."

Maintenance and Service

Purchasing durable equipment is always a big concern for growers, but according to Siebring, Mist 'R Drench Sprayers are specifically designed for heavy-duty use and are built to last.

"Maintenance is relatively simple; if valves are installed properly and the machine is flushed after each use, there shouldn't be any problems," Barrow explained. "We have used these sprayers for at least 10 years, and we've never had any problems with them."

According to McElroy, the sprayers are very durable and have reliable motors and tanks. "We have never had a tank leak. It also has grading lines on it so you can see the level of liquid in the tank, and it is very easy to drain." McElroy added that he is particularly happy with the sprayers' hose quick coupling fittings because they allow for fast and easy maintenance.

In addition, the sprayers are very easy to clean. A tank shutoff valve allows reclaiming of excess chemicals and permits cleaning of the hose and pump with chemical still in the tank.

"In general, we haven't had any problems with the sprayers, and Siebring is very easy to work with," Drimes said. He explained that at one point they had purchased a sprayer with a rectangular-shaped tank and square legs on the bottom. However, Drimes explained that they preferred the round-shaped tank because it is easier to utilize the entire chemical mix. "Siebring was really good to work with; we just gave them a call, and they replaced it with a round tank."

Final Thoughts

With gas or electric motor options and tanks ranging from 55-200 gal., Mist 'R Drench Sprayers are suitable for any size grower. Sprayers can be customized with various options, such as electric take up hose reels, 25- to 300-foot-long custom hoses, adjustable nozzle and others.

"Siebring's equipment is not necessarily the cheapest, but it's always very well made, and we have always gotten substantial life out of it. We have had several of these sprayers for about 15-20 years, and we wouldn't want to be without them," McElroy said.