FARM Infrastructure

7 Best Tank Agitators for Sprayer Mixing

A successful spray day starts long before the boom reaches the field, beginning instead inside the dark corners…

A successful spray day starts long before the boom reaches the field, beginning instead inside the dark corners of the supply tank. When expensive chemicals settle at the bottom or separate into layers, the result is uneven application that wastes money and risks crop damage. Selecting the right agitator ensures that every gallon of liquid leaving the nozzle contains the exact concentration intended for the job.

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TeeJet 23120 Jet Agitator: Best Overall Choice

The TeeJet 23120 stands out as the industry benchmark for a reason, offering a nearly perfect balance of simple design and vigorous mixing action. Built from chemical-resistant nylon, this unit handles the rigors of standard herbicides and liquid fertilizers without showing signs of premature wear. It utilizes a three-hole design that creates a wide-reaching turbulence pattern, ensuring no dead zones remain in the corners of a rectangular or cylindrical tank.

This agitator is particularly well-suited for mid-sized tanks ranging from 50 to 150 gallons, where consistent suspension of particulates is critical. Because it requires a relatively modest flow rate to operate effectively, it does not overtax the pump or significantly drop the pressure at the nozzles. It is a “set it and forget it” component that fits standard threaded inlets, making installation a five-minute task for any farmer.

If the goal is a reliable, all-purpose mixing solution that works with the widest variety of common farm chemicals, this is the correct choice. It provides professional-grade results without the high price tag of specialized heavy-duty units. You can rely on this agitator to keep your mixtures uniform through long days of intermittent spraying.

Banjo 150A Poly Siphon Agitator: Best Value Pick

Efficiency often comes down to how much work a tool can do with the energy provided, and the Banjo 150A excels by using a siphon effect. This venturi-style agitator draws in four gallons of surrounding liquid for every one gallon pumped through it, effectively multiplying the mixing power. This design allows for massive liquid movement without requiring a massive, high-volume pump.

The glass-reinforced polypropylene construction offers excellent resistance to heat and corrosive chemicals, ensuring a long lifespan even in demanding environments. It is lightweight and easy to mount, featuring a 1/2-inch NPT inlet that matches most standard plumbing setups found on hobby farm sprayers. For those running smaller electric or PTO pumps, this multiplier effect is often the only way to achieve adequate agitation.

This is the ideal option for the budget-conscious operator who refuses to sacrifice mixing quality for a lower price point. It solves the problem of underpowered pumps by working smarter, not harder. Choose this model if you need maximum liquid turnover but are working within the limitations of a standard sprayer setup.

Hypro 3371-0019 Jet Agitator: Most Durable Build

When the workload involves abrasive wettable powders or gritty fertilizers, standard plastic agitators can suffer from internal erosion over time. The Hypro 3371-0019 is engineered to combat this specific type of wear, utilizing high-grade materials that withstand the sand-paper effect of suspended solids. The internal orifice is precision-milled to maintain a consistent flow rate, preventing the pressure drops that occur when a nozzle wears out and widens.

This unit excels in high-pressure systems where the sheer force of the water might cause lesser agitators to vibrate loose or crack. Its compact profile makes it less likely to be snagged or damaged during tank cleaning or when using a mechanical fill-pipe. The threads are crisp and durable, allowing for repeated removal and reinstallation if you frequently swap between different tank setups.

Farmers who rely heavily on dry-flowable chemicals or those who spray hundreds of acres annually will find the most value here. It is built for longevity and thrives in environments where maintenance windows are short and equipment failure is not an option. If you want to buy an agitator once and never think about it again for a decade, this is your product.

Green Leaf 34A Venturi Agitator: Best Efficiency

The Green Leaf 34A is a masterclass in hydraulic efficiency, designed specifically to maximize the output of the return line. Like other venturi models, it uses high-velocity bypass flow to pull stagnant liquid through its body, creating a powerful jet that reaches the furthest depths of the tank. This model is particularly noted for its smooth interior surfaces, which reduce friction loss and keep the liquid moving at peak velocity.

Because this agitator moves so much volume, it is excellent at preventing the “sludge” that often forms at the bottom of tanks when using heavy, oil-based surfactants. It creates a rolling boil effect in the tank that keeps even the most stubborn chemicals in suspension. This high-volume movement also helps dissipate heat in the system, which can be a concern during long hours of operation in mid-summer.

This product is the right fit for operators who use complex tank mixes involving multiple products that tend to separate quickly. It provides the heavy-duty mixing action usually reserved for much larger systems while remaining compatible with hobby-scale equipment. If your chemical labels frequently warn about “constant agitation required,” this is the tool to ensure compliance.

Spraying Systems 6290-5 Brass: Best Heavy-Duty

In some specialized applications, plastic simply won’t cut it, and that is where the Spraying Systems 6290-5 brass agitator enters the picture. The heavy weight of the brass construction helps the agitator stay seated and stable even in high-vibration environments, such as sprayers mounted on rough-riding trailers. Furthermore, brass offers a different range of chemical compatibility than poly, making it essential for certain solvent-based mixtures.

The machined precision of a metal agitator allows for a much tighter control of the spray pattern inside the tank. This model produces a concentrated, high-velocity stream that can “scour” the bottom of a tank to prevent sediment buildup before it starts. The durability of the metal threads ensures a leak-free connection that can handle the high torque of industrial plumbing fittings.

This is the professional choice for those who are building a permanent, high-pressure spraying rig that will see daily use. It is also the correct choice if you are using specific oils or solvents that are known to soften or degrade nylon and polypropylene over time. If your equipment needs to be “bulletproof” to survive the season, go with brass.

Delavan 3371-1 Jet Agitator: Best for Small Tanks

Small tanks, such as the 15- to 25-gallon units found on many ATVs, present a unique challenge: too much agitation causes excessive foaming, while too little allows for settling. The Delavan 3371-1 is sized perfectly for these smaller volumes, providing enough movement to keep the mix hot without creating a mountain of bubbles that overflows the lid. It features a compact design that doesn’t take up valuable space in a cramped tank interior.

The 1/4-inch NPT inlet is standard for smaller bypass lines, making it an easy upgrade for stock sprayers that may have come with a simple open-hose return. Despite its small size, it still utilizes a jet-stream design to ensure that the chemical at the top of the tank is the same concentration as the chemical at the bottom. It is a simple, effective solution for the most common hobby-farming applications.

If you are managing a small orchard, a large garden, or a few acres of pasture with an ATV sprayer, this is the agitator for you. It provides the professional mixing quality of a large rig in a package that fits your existing equipment. It is the best way to ensure your spot-spraying is as effective as possible.

Fimco 5138245 Agitator Bypass: Best for ATV Sprayers

Fimco is a household name in the small-sprayer world, and their 5138245 agitator is designed to work seamlessly with their ubiquitous pump systems. This unit is often used as a bypass agitator, meaning it handles the excess flow diverted from the pump when the spray wand or boom is turned off. It is engineered to handle the fluctuating pressures of electric pumps, ensuring consistent mixing even as the battery voltage varies.

The design is straightforward and focuses on ease of maintenance, with a wide orifice that is difficult to clog even if some debris enters the tank. It is usually constructed from a durable polymer that resists the UV rays often found hitting translucent tanks. This agitator is a direct replacement for many factory-installed units, making it the path of least resistance for repairs.

This is the definitive choice for anyone owning a Fimco or similar brand of consumer-grade sprayer. It integrates perfectly with the existing plumbing and provides a significant upgrade over a simple bypass hose. If you want a guaranteed fit and reliable performance for your utility sprayer, look no further.

How to Match Agitator Flow Rates to Pump Capacity

Choosing an agitator isn’t just about the brand; it’s about the math behind the flow. A common rule of thumb is that your agitation system should be able to move about 5% of your total tank volume every minute. If you have a 100-gallon tank, you need at least 5 gallons per minute (GPM) dedicated solely to agitation to keep most chemicals in suspension.

The “thievery” of GPM is the most common mistake in hobby farming setups. If your pump is rated for 10 GPM and your spray boom requires 7 GPM at the desired pressure, you only have 3 GPM left for the agitator. If you install an agitator that requires 5 GPM, your boom pressure will drop, and your spray pattern will fail.

  • Check the GPM requirements of your boom or wand first.
  • Subtract that number from your pump’s actual output at operating pressure.
  • Select an agitator (or venturi multiplier) that fits within that remaining “budget.”

Always remember that as your pump wears out, its GPM output will decrease. Selecting an efficient venturi agitator can provide a safety margin, ensuring that even as the pump loses some vigor, the tank continues to mix effectively without starving the nozzles.

Proper Placement of Your Agitator Inside the Tank

An agitator’s effectiveness is halved if it is positioned incorrectly. For most rectangular tanks, the agitator should be mounted near the bottom, pointing across the longest floor dimension. This creates a circular “rolling” motion that sweeps the entire floor of the tank, preventing solids from gathering in the corners where the suction line might miss them.

In round or cylindrical tanks, placing the agitator off-center can actually be more effective than placing it in the middle. If it is dead center, it may create a vortex that traps chemicals in a spinning column rather than mixing them vertically. By mounting it to one side and aiming it tangentially, you create a turbulent flow that forces the liquid to fold over itself repeatedly.

Be careful not to point the agitator directly at the pump’s suction intake. If the high-velocity stream hits the suction screen, it can create air bubbles or turbulence that causes the pump to cavitate or lose prime. Aim the stream so it clears the suction area, ensuring the pump pulls in a steady, bubble-free supply of well-mixed liquid.

Cleaning and Maintaining Agitators to Prevent Clogs

Agitators are out of sight and often out of mind, which is exactly how they become clogged with “chemical cottage cheese.” This happens when incompatible chemicals are mixed or when the tank is not thoroughly rinsed after use, allowing residues to dry and harden inside the agitator’s small orifices. Once an orifice is partially blocked, the mixing velocity drops, leading to a feedback loop of even more sediment buildup.

At the end of every spray session, flush the system with clean water and a tank cleaner specifically designed to neutralize herbicides. Occasionally, it is necessary to reach into the tank (while wearing proper PPE) and feel the agitator for any crust or buildup. If the flow seems weak, the agitator should be removed and soaked in a cleaning solution to clear the internal passages.

  • Always flush with clean water after using wettable powders.
  • Check for physical debris like grass or bits of plastic that may have entered during filling.
  • Inspect the threads for leaks, which can introduce air into the system.

A clean agitator is the only way to guarantee that the last gallon in your tank is just as effective as the first. Neglecting this small part can lead to clogged boom strainers and expensive nozzles later in the season. Consistent maintenance ensures your equipment remains ready for the unpredictable windows of perfect spraying weather.

Success in the field is a product of what happens in the tank, and a quality agitator is the most important tool for ensuring that consistency. By matching the right mixing technology to your pump capacity and tank size, you eliminate the guesswork and waste associated with poorly suspended chemicals. Investing in a reliable agitator today prevents the frustration of uneven yields and clogged equipment tomorrow.

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