Spot Sprayer Mount For the Lawn Tractor

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OK, it's yard farming season here at the Goat Pasture.  With all the rain we have gotten this spring the thistles are popping up in full force.  The best thing to get rid of thistles is to spot apply glysophate (Roundup).  In the past I had to load up the 3 gallon stainless Hudson sprayer and make at least one additional round of the 2 1/2 acre yard.  I say at least one additional trip because I would usually miss a few spots and have to go back.  The 3 gallon sprayer works well with a couple of problems in the ergonomics.  First being that that was no good way to carry it on the lawn tractor and second being that the pump required I get off the tractor to recharge the pressure as needed.  It was generally a PITA but it still had to be done.  Now being I am basically a lazy ba$!ard when it comes to yard work (my philospy on yard farming is to asphalt it and paint it green) I had to find an easier method that would allow me to combine the spot spraying trips in with the mowing.  The design criteia was to be at least 2 gallon capacity, ability to be carried on the tractor and be repressurized without requiring me to dismount from the tractor.  Other desired considerations would be quick attach mounting and no electrics to require maintenance.  With my design criteria in hand I started by consulting with the design team here at the R&D Lab of T&E Technology and they promptly jumped into brain storming mode.  After a bit of thought the Design Team suggested going with off the shelf components to avoid re-inventing the wheel and told me to investigate the Horrible Fright sales flyer for possible components.  I spotted the 4 gallon backpack sprayer for around $20 and decided the added capacity was a good thing.  The side handle pump could fill my needs for ease of pressurizing if the unit were mounted behind the seat and the price was right.  I purchased the sprayer and decided to do a Proof Of Concept  lash up.  I strapped the sprayer to the back of the tractor seat and filled it with chemical.  The lash up proved directionally successful but indicated a need for further refinement of the design.  After a luncheon meeting with the design team we came to the basic outline of the carrier.  First, the materials should be scrapbinium, Second the design had to be simple enough for the head fabricator/yard care specialist (me) to understand and construct.With those things in mind I went to the parts department to see what was in stock and found an old typing chair back adjuster and a suitable chunk of scrapbinium left over from a canabalised tread mill.  With all the materials in hand I proceeded to the butt scratching/chin rubbing phase of every project and decided to mount the seat back adjuster thing under the seat as a receiver.  A couple of pieces of angle were sacrificed to the project gods and a couple of sticks of 3/32" 6011 later and it came out looking like it fit.  The seat mounting bolts hold the bracket to the tractor.The silver knob is a spring loaded adjuster pin which allows for quick attachment and dismounting as needed.With the receiver fabbed and mounted, I moved onto the actual sprayer attachment.  To my utter amazement the sprayer tank just fit the existing bends in the scrapbinium piece (we here at T&E Tech pride ourselves in being more lucky than good) so after some careful measurements and a few more moments of butt scratching I whittled the base plate out on the B-3 shear and it was welded to the attaching arm (90* portion of the back adjuster).  As is typical of these well engineered projects I discovered the plate flexed at the attaching point more than it should to support the estimated 40 lb. load of a full sprayer, so a couple of gussets were called for at the joint.  The gussets were hacked out of the scrap scapbinium and welded in place.  Flexing problem resolved!  Continued in next post.  Please refrain from the flaming until the interweb has come to a full and complete stop or when the flight attendants tell you "Shift A$$"RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:A piece of 16 ga. was carved out and slotted for the attaching straps and secured to the upper post end.  The base plate was slotted as well for the vertical hold down strap.  The straps were procured from my hoard of old seat belt webbing and the buckles were some I had salvaged from a Navy NB-6 parachute pack (did I mention I have a rather eclectic resume?).  Time for the moment of truth!  All fitted up and ready to attack the thistles!The pump arm falls nicely beside the seat and allows for the tank to be re-pressurized as need even while driving (yeah, I know multi tasking while operating a motor vehicle is dangerous, but you gotta do what you gotta do).  No process photos were taken during the build as photos are strictly forbidden here at the R&D Lab (well, not really, I just forgot to take pictures).  All welding was done with 3/32" 6011 at 60-65 amps with a MILLER Thunderbolt that is older than most of the members here.  The welds all conform to the inverted pigeon crap standard of WW because I am old and shaky.  All measurements are done with a precision yard stick, all lay out done in chalk and all cuts were made using a cold chisel and hammer for precision fit up.All Stop!  Letting the flaming begin.RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:I like this...
Reply:Most importantly the pump lever doesn't interfear with your cup holder so your extra beer (we all know there's one in your hand already) won't get damaged during the first half of the job.well built, well thought out design. I like it. Now to convince the wife that I need one....There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Now that is cool My "scrapbinium" stock is too depleted to make one like yours - but I like it anyway Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Nifty !  Best part is  that after spray season you can use it for those small HEINKENKegs.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1Nifty !  Best part is  that after spray season you can use it for those small HEINKENKegs.
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerMost importantly the pump lever doesn't interfear with your cup holder so your extra beer (we all know there's one in your hand already) won't get damaged during the first half of the job.well built, well thought out design. I like it. Now to convince the wife that I need one....
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerMost importantly the pump lever doesn't interfear with your cup holder so your extra beer (we all know there's one in your hand already) won't get damaged during the first half of the job.well built, well thought out design. I like it. Now to convince the wife that I need one....
Reply:Nice concept, design and build. Even better commentary! Thanks for the grin.