6 Best Three Point Hitch Sprayers For Tractors That Small Farmers Swear By
Our guide reviews the 6 best three-point hitch sprayers for small tractors, focusing on farmer-approved models known for their performance and durability.
You’ve walked your fence line with a backpack sprayer for the last time. Your back aches, you’re constantly refilling the tiny tank, and you know there has to be a better way to manage weeds in the pasture or fertilize the food plot. A three-point hitch sprayer is that better way, turning a full-day chore into a one-hour task. But choosing the right one feels like a major commitment, and a bad choice can mean wasted money and continued frustration.
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Choosing Your Farm’s 3-Point Hitch Sprayer
Picking a sprayer is about more than just the size of the tank. It’s about matching the tool to your tractor, your terrain, and the job you need to do most often. A sprayer that’s perfect for flat, open pasture will be a nightmare in a tight orchard or on a rocky hillside.
First, consider the core components. The tank size determines how often you stop to refill, but it must be matched to your tractor’s lift capacity—a 110-gallon tank full of water weighs over 900 pounds. Then there’s the pump; a PTO-driven roller pump is powerful and common, while a 12V electric pump is simpler and great for compact tractors.
Finally, you have to decide between a boom and a boomless setup. A boom with multiple nozzles provides the most precise, even coverage, which is critical for row crops or establishing new pasture. A boomless sprayer uses one or two nozzles to spray a wide pattern, making it the clear winner for navigating trees, fence lines, and uneven ground where a boom would snag and break. There is no single "best" type; there is only what’s best for your property.
Fimco 3-Point Sprayer: All-Around Versatility
When you need a reliable sprayer that just works, Fimco is often the first name that comes up. They’re the dependable middle-of-the-road option that balances quality components with a reasonable price, making them a fixture on small farms everywhere.
What sets Fimco apart is the quality of their components, especially the pump. Many models come standard with a Hypro roller pump, a well-respected brand known for durability and parts availability. This isn’t a minor detail; when a pump seal fails the day before you need to spray, being able to find parts at your local farm store is a huge relief.
Available in common sizes like 55, 110, and 150 gallons, there’s a Fimco to fit most compact and utility tractors. They are true workhorses, ideal for general-purpose applications like spraying herbicides on a 15-acre hayfield, applying liquid fertilizer to a large food plot, or handling pest control in a small orchard. It’s the sprayer you buy when you want to set it up and get to work without a lot of fuss.
CountryLine 3-Point Sprayer: Affordable Choice
For the farmer on a tight budget or with only occasional spraying needs, the CountryLine sprayer is an accessible starting point. Often found at retailers like Tractor Supply, these sprayers get the job done without the higher price tag of premium brands.
The lower cost comes with tradeoffs, and it’s important to know what they are. The frame might be built with lighter-gauge steel, and the pump and nozzles may not be from top-tier brands. This doesn’t make it a bad tool, but it does mean you should be prepared for more maintenance and potential part replacements over its lifespan.
This sprayer is a perfect fit for someone managing just a few acres. If you only need to spray your pasture once or twice a year or handle weeds along a few hundred feet of fence, the CountryLine offers incredible value. It’s an excellent entry-level option that lets you step up from a backpack sprayer without a massive financial investment.
Workhorse LG603PTS: For Pasture Management
Managing pastures is all about efficiency and coverage. The Workhorse 3-point sprayer is designed with exactly that in mind, making it a top choice for farmers focused on maintaining healthy grazing land for their livestock.
The standout feature is often its boom design. A 7-nozzle folding boom, for example, can provide a 12-foot spray width, allowing you to cover a lot of ground with each pass. This wide, even application is crucial for effectively controlling broadleaf weeds like thistle and dock without missing spots or over-spraying. The 60-gallon tank is a sweet spot for many, large enough to cover several acres but not so heavy that it overwhelms a mid-size compact tractor.
For anyone raising cattle, sheep, or horses, this sprayer is a purpose-built tool. It streamlines the essential task of weed management, which directly impacts the quality and quantity of your forage. It’s less of a general-purpose sprayer and more of a specialist for keeping fields clean and productive.
King Kutter 3-Point Sprayer: Built to Last
Safely and effectively apply herbicides with the Field King Max backpack sprayer. Its no-leak pump design protects you from chemicals, while the durable stainless steel wand and included nozzles provide versatile spraying options.
King Kutter has a reputation for building heavy-duty implements that can take a beating, and their 3-point sprayer is no different. This is the sprayer for the farmer who is notoriously hard on equipment and values durability above all else.
You can feel the difference in the construction. The frame is made from heavy-gauge, welded steel, not bolted-together angle iron. The polyethylene tank is thick and robust. These sprayers are designed to handle the bumps, jolts, and occasional scrapes that are an unavoidable part of farm work.
If you’re working on rough ground or just believe in the "buy it once, cry once" philosophy, the King Kutter is your sprayer. It may lack some of the refined features of other brands, but it makes up for it in sheer toughness. This is a long-term investment that will likely be spraying fields long after other, lighter-duty models have been retired to the fencerow.
SMV Boomless Sprayer: For Uneven Terrain
Traditional booms are fantastic on a flat, square field. But on a real-world small farm with trees, ditches, and winding fence lines, they are a constant source of stress, snagging on every obstacle. The SMV Boomless Sprayer solves this problem completely.
Instead of a wide physical boom, it uses specially designed nozzles that project a spray pattern up to 30 feet wide. This allows you to spray right up to a tree line or along a rocky creek bank without risking damage to your equipment. It’s a game-changer for properties that aren’t perfectly manicured.
The trade-off is precision. A boomless system is more susceptible to wind drift, and the coverage may not be as perfectly uniform as a boom sprayer. However, for spraying brush along a trail, managing weeds in a hilly pasture, or spraying fruit trees, the maneuverability it offers is far more valuable than perfect pattern control. For difficult terrain, a boomless sprayer isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.
John Deere LP20845: Compact Tractor Solution
The rise of sub-compact and small compact tractors has created a need for implements that are properly scaled. Hanging a heavy 110-gallon sprayer off the back of a 25-horsepower tractor is both ineffective and unsafe. The John Deere 40-gallon sprayer is designed specifically for these smaller machines.
With a lower weight and more compact frame, this sprayer won’t compromise your tractor’s stability or strain its hydraulics. It typically uses a 12V electric pump that wires directly to the tractor’s battery, eliminating the need for a PTO shaft, which simplifies hookup immensely. It’s a complete, well-thought-out system for the compact tractor owner.
This is the ideal solution for large-scale gardeners, homesteaders with a few acres, or those managing a small orchard or vineyard. It provides all the efficiency benefits of a 3-point system—no more walking!—in a package that is perfectly and safely matched to the capabilities of a smaller tractor.
Matching a Sprayer to Your Acreage and Crops
Ultimately, the best sprayer is the one that fits your farm’s unique needs. Don’t get sold on a massive tank if you only have three acres, and don’t buy a 20-foot boom if your property is full of trees. The right choice requires an honest assessment of your land and your goals.
Use your acreage and terrain as a starting point for narrowing down your options. A simple framework can help guide your decision:
- 1-5 Acres (Market gardens, large homesteads): A 40-60 gallon sprayer is more than enough. A 12V pump model like the John Deere is convenient and perfectly adequate.
- 5-20 Acres (Pastures, hayfields): Step up to a 60-110 gallon PTO-driven sprayer. The efficiency of a wider boom, like on the Workhorse or Fimco, will save you significant time.
- Rough, Wooded, or Hilly Terrain: A boomless model is your best bet, regardless of acreage. The SMV or similar designs will prevent endless frustration and broken parts.
Don’t forget to consider what you’ll be spraying. Most general-use herbicides and liquid fertilizers work well with a standard roller pump. However, if you plan to use wettable powders or more abrasive liquids, a diaphragm pump will last longer and handle those materials better. Thinking through these details upfront ensures the sprayer you buy will be a valuable tool for years to come.
Choosing a 3-point hitch sprayer is an investment in your own efficiency. The right sprayer doesn’t just make the job faster; it makes it less physically demanding, freeing up your limited time and energy for the countless other tasks waiting for you on the farm. By matching the machine to your property, you’re not just buying a piece of equipment—you’re buying back your time.
