6 Best Tank Fittings For Building A Diy Sprayer Old Farmers Swear By
Learn which 6 tank fittings old farmers trust for building DIY sprayers. These key parts ensure a durable, leak-proof system for dependable performance.
Building your own sprayer is one of the smartest moves you can make on a small farm, saving you a fortune over commercial units. But the success of that project hinges entirely on the small parts that hold it all together. Choose wisely, and you’ll have a reliable tool for years; choose poorly, and you’ll fight leaks, clogs, and frustration every time you use it.
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Choosing Your Tank: The Sprayer’s Foundation
The tank is more than just a bucket; it’s the backbone of your entire system. Go with a heavy-duty, UV-stabilized polyethylene tank made specifically for agricultural use. Flimsy water storage tanks from the big box store will get brittle in the sun and crack under the stress of sloshing liquid.
Look for a tank with a sump at the bottom. This small detail makes a huge difference, allowing your pump to draw out nearly every last drop of solution. It prevents waste and makes cleanout infinitely easier. For most hobby farms, a 25 or 40-gallon tank is the sweet spot—big enough to cover some ground but not so heavy it overloads your ATV or small tractor.
Banjo Poly Bulkhead Fitting: The Leak-Proof Heart
Every connection point is a potential leak, but the one coming out of the tank is the most critical. This is where you absolutely cannot cut corners. Banjo glass-reinforced polypropylene bulkhead fittings are the undisputed standard for a reason. They create a seal that holds tight against vibration, temperature swings, and chemical exposure.
The heavy EPDM gasket provides the real magic, compressing to form a perfect, lasting seal. Get a double-threaded model so you have secure NPT threads on both the inside and outside of the tank. When installing, remember that tighter isn’t better. Hand-tight plus a quarter-turn with a wrench is all you need; over-tightening can warp the gasket and cause the very leak you’re trying to prevent.
TeeJet Ball Valves for Reliable On/Off Control
When you need to shut off the flow, it needs to be immediate and complete. Cheap ball valves get stiff, develop slow drips from the handle, or simply snap off when you need them most. TeeJet ball valves are built for this work, with a positive quarter-turn action that you can feel, leaving no doubt whether they are open or closed.
Strategically place a primary valve right after the main tank fitting. This allows you to service the strainer or pump without draining the whole tank. If you’re building a boom, adding smaller valves to control individual sections is a game-changer. It lets you shut off the flow to one side when spraying along a fence line or a sensitive garden bed, saving chemical and preventing off-target application.
Hypro Series 3351 Line Strainer: No More Clogs
A single piece of grit or undissolved powder can bring your entire spray day to a halt by clogging a nozzle. The line strainer is your first and best defense. It’s not just a screen; it’s a purpose-built filter designed to protect your pump and nozzles from the debris that inevitably finds its way into the tank.
Install the strainer on the suction side, between the tank valve and the pump. The Hypro 3351 series is a favorite because its clear bowl lets you see when it’s time to clean it out, saving you from guessing. Match the mesh size to your nozzles—a 50 or 80 mesh is a great all-around choice, catching debris fine enough to clog tips without restricting flow to the pump.
Greenleaf Jet Agitator for Constant Solution Mix
Many products, especially wettable powders or liquid fish fertilizers, don’t stay mixed. As you spray, the solution can settle, causing your application rate to be strong at the start and weak at the end. A jet agitator solves this problem simply and effectively.
This fitting installs near the bottom of the tank and uses a small amount of the pump’s bypass flow to create a constant stirring action. It keeps everything in suspension, ensuring the last gallon you spray is the same concentration as the first. It’s a simple addition that dramatically improves the consistency and effectiveness of your applications.
Dura-Tech Poly Hose Barb for Secure Connections
The seal between your hose and fitting is only as good as the barb itself. Avoid cheap, shallow-ridged plastic barbs or metal ones that will corrode. High-quality polypropylene barbs, like those from Dura-Tech, have sharp, deep ridges that bite into the hose for a connection that won’t slip.
This is especially critical on the pressure side of the pump. For rock-solid peace of mind, use two stainless steel hose clamps on every key connection. Position them about a quarter-inch apart with the screw mechanisms facing opposite directions. This cheap insurance prevents a hose from blowing off and dousing you or your field.
Secure hoses and pipes with this 20-piece stainless steel hose clamp kit. Featuring an adjustable worm gear design and a range of sizes (1/4" to 2"), these durable clamps are perfect for automotive, plumbing, and more.
Norwesco Vented Tank Lid: Essential for Safety
A tank lid seems like an afterthought, but it’s a critical safety component. As your pump draws liquid out, air needs to enter the tank to replace it. A sealed, non-vented lid will create a powerful vacuum, potentially collapsing the walls of your tank or starving and damaging your pump.
A proper vented lid, like those from Norwesco, has a one-way valve that lets air in but stops liquid from splashing out. It also keeps dirt, leaves, and rain out of your spray solution. Most come with a tether so you don’t set it on the truck bumper and drive off. Don’t ever substitute a solid cap or a rag; use the right tool for the job.
Assembling with Teflon Tape: The Farmer’s Secret
The final detail that separates a professional build from a leaky mess is how you seal the threads. Teflon tape is the key. It acts as both a lubricant and a sealant, allowing you to tighten threaded fittings properly without galling the plastic, while also filling microscopic gaps to prevent drips.
The technique is simple but crucial: wrap the tape on the male threads in the same direction they tighten (clockwise). Three or four wraps are plenty. This creates a seal that will hold against pressure and vibration for years. Remember, Teflon tape is only for tapered pipe threads (NPT), not for the bulkhead gasket or compression fittings.
Building your own sprayer puts control back in your hands, but that control is only as good as the components you choose. By using these durable, field-tested fittings, you’re not just assembling parts; you’re building a reliable tool that will serve your farm well season after season. Now you have the blueprint for a sprayer that won’t let you down.
