Defeat the beetle and phytophthora hand-to-hand: TOP-5 hand-operated sprayers

Forte OP-5 is one of the cheapest garden sprayers available on our market. It can be called "low-cost", because even some manual sprayers are more expensive. But, despite such a low price, its characteristics are quite on the level. The sprayer has a 5-liter tank and a pump for pumping. It is lightweight (only 1.5 kg in a "dry" state), and a durable nylon strap is provided for carrying the device on the shoulder, which is attached to the tank with metal rings.

The sprayer has a telescopic "fishing rod". In the maximally extended state, the length of the rod is 110 cm (folded — 65 cm). The spray range of the jet with a "long-range" nozzle reaches 2 metres. But there are also replaceable nozzles in the kit. Having installed them, you can spray fertilizers or chemicals not with a strong jet, but in the form of a light mist.

The disadvantage of this device is its pump. It is completely plastic and is not particularly reliable. In addition, it cannot be disassembled for repair. Spare pumps are rarely on the market. But you can close your eyes to this drawback, because Forte OP-5 costs around $ 10 — three to four times less than other garden sprayers of the same type and volume. If the pump breaks down, it's easier to buy a new sprayer than to bother with repairs.

There are other inexpensive devices in the Forte garden sprayers line. Economical summer residents and gardeners may be interested in pump devices for 8 and 10 liters, similar in design to the model in question, as well as an 8-liter sprayer with a pressure gauge.

The Fiskars 1025934 sprayer is very light (1.3 kg), because it is made entirely of plastic. But such a design should not inspire fears. Since Fiskars uses only high-quality polymers for the production of sprayers, it is not worth worrying about the strength of the tank and the reliability of other parts. Moreover, the absence of metal parts subject to corrosion means that there are no corresponding problems. Therefore, the manufacturer permits the use of this device for spraying aggressive and caustic chemicals, which is necessary for the destruction of some types of particularly tenacious weeds.

The volume of the tank is 5 liters. The pump of this sprayer and its trigger mechanism have proven themselves well, there are practically no complaints about them. A small plastic filter is built into the handle, which does not allow the nozzle to be clogged with dirt or grains of chemicals that have not dissolved in water. The design of the nozzle allows you to change the shape and rigidity of the flow of the sprayed liquid: from a strong jet to spraying in the form of a light mist.

The only detail that needs attention is the barbell. It, like the rest of the elements, is made of polymer material, and it is much easier to break a plastic "fishing rod" than a metal one.

Since the Fiskars 1025934 sprayer is extremely light and very compact (the length of the rod is 65 cm), it is perfect for working in small areas, flower beds and greenhouses. It can also be recommended to those gardeners and gardeners who are used to high-quality Fiskars inventory and are not inclined to change their favorite Finnish brand.

The tank of the 5-liter Gardena sprayer is made of high-quality plastic: durable and frost-resistant. It has a "branded" blue colour, but there is a transparent "window" along the entire height of the container, which serves as a measuring scale — the liquid level is clearly visible through it. The sprayer has a wide neck (it is convenient to pour water or solution), which can be removed (it is easy to wash the inner surface of the tank after work). A manual pump with a metal rod is screwed into the neck, with which you can create a pressure of up to 3 bar (if the specified value is exceeded, a valve opens through which excess air is drained). With all these advantages, the tank also has a drawback: due to the specific shape of the lower part, it does not stand very steadily on uneven surfaces.

The design of the sprayer allows you to control the speed and shape of the jet. Thanks to the large start button, it is convenient to dose the pressure, and by turning the cap on the head of the rod, you can change the way the liquid is sprayed: from a hard and strong jet to a water suspension. The button can be locked in the pressed position for continuous watering. The nozzle, by the way, is made of plastic (many other manufacturers make them from metal), so after a few seasons of active use of the sprayer, it can get loose. However, a replaceable nozzle costs literally pennies (about $4).

The details of the device are well fitted, and the quality of the sealing rings does not cause complaints. But there is one feature that should be considered before buying. It lies in the fact that this sprayer is designed to work with fully diluted solutions. If the chemistry has not dissolved in water, and a precipitate has formed, then it will clog the filter (which is located at the base of the rod) or the nozzle — you will have to disassemble the "fishing rod" and clean everything.

There are reinforcing threads inside the hose, so it is flexible, but not brittle. The length of the hose is sufficient — 175 cm (when the device is hanging on the shoulder, you can fully raise your arm). But the metal "fishing rod" is too short. Therefore, this device is better suited for spraying bushes and beds than for caring for trees. However, the catalog of accessories for Gardena sprayers helps to solve this problem. In it you can find both an extension cord to the "fishing rod" (article 897) and a bell to the sprayer (article 894), which helps not to accidentally spray plants that are not supposed to be treated with chemicals.

The sprayer tank of the Marolex Profession 5 is made of very high-quality cast polyethylene. It can withstand pressure up to 4 bar. The manufacturer gives a five-year warranty on the capacity. The neck is narrow, but there is a funnel with a mesh filter in the kit, which facilitates the refueling process. The pressure is pumped using a pump. During operation, the device is hung on the shoulder (for this purpose, a strong belt with a soft pad is provided so that the strap does not cut into the body under the weight of the sprayer filled with a solution).

The design of the device is well thought out. The trigger mechanism is durable and reliable. The start button can be locked in the pressed position for continuous watering. The hose is long (170 cm), flexible and durable. It is three-layer, reinforced and made of a material that does not lose its properties when stored in winter in an unheated room (the manufacturer recommends storing the sprayer at a temperature of at least +4 °C). The hose does not break at the entrance to the tank or handle, because in these places it is protected from bending by a rubber spiral. The tube is telescopic. If you pull it out, the length of the rod will be 115 cm. Taking into account the height of a person and the length of an outstretched arm, this is quite enough to reach the upper branches of a small fruit tree or reach a distant bed without leaving the path in the garden. The head can be rotated to spray the leaves from the top, side or bottom. The adjustable nozzle allows you to change the shape of the sprayed liquid jet.

Marolex Profession 5 is the smallest unit in the line of professional sprayers manufactured by Marolex. He has bigger "brothers" (by 7, 9 and 12 liters). They are identical in design, the only difference is in the volume of the tank, size and weight. A distinctive feature of the entire series is the availability on the market of a large range of accessories and accessories. In the catalog of Marolex sprayers, you can find such useful things as a variety of fittings, sets of replaceable nozzles (round and flat-jet), spare seals, "fishing rods" of increased length (up to 3 m) and horizontal rods with three nozzles. But all this is for an additional fee.