6 Mower Sprayer Attachments For Weed Control for Small Acreage

You’ve walked the fenceline for the third time this month, and the thistle is already laughing at you. A backpack sprayer is fine for the garden path, but staring down two acres of pasture weeds feels like a losing battle. A tow-behind mower sprayer is the tool that bridges that gap, turning a weekend-long chore into a manageable afternoon task.

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Choosing the Right Mower Sprayer Attachment

The right sprayer isn’t just about tank size. It’s a balance of your property’s needs, the jobs you’ll be doing, and how much time you want to spend fiddling with equipment. Before you look at models, think about your primary use. Are you fighting broadleaf weeds across a three-acre pasture, or are you meticulously targeting poison ivy along a tree line?

Key factors will guide your decision:

• Tank Capacity: A 15-gallon tank is nimble and perfect for one to two acres. A 25-gallon tank means fewer trips back to the barn to refill, a huge time-saver on properties of three to five acres. But remember, water is heavy—that extra capacity means more weight and potential soil compaction.
• Pump Type: Most consumer models use a diaphragm pump, which is a versatile workhorse that handles a wide range of herbicides. They are reliable and relatively easy to maintain.
• Application Method: A boom sprayer is for broadcast coverage, like treating an entire lawn or small field. A spot sprayer uses a handheld wand for precise targeting. For a small acreage, having both is not a luxury; it’s essential for tackling different weed problems efficiently.

Don’t get fixated on finding one "perfect" sprayer. Think of it as choosing the right partner for your property. A small, simple sprayer you use often is far more valuable than a large, complex one that sits in the shed because it’s a hassle to set up. Your goal is to make weed control easier, not to add another complicated chore to your list.

FIMCO LSS-215-R: Compact 15-Gallon Spot Sprayer

This FIMCO unit is the essence of simplicity. It’s a tank, a pump, and a hose with a spray wand. If your primary challenge is hitting fencelines, spot-treating thistle patches in the pasture, or spraying around buildings and obstacles, this is a fantastic, no-frills tool.

Its compact size is its biggest advantage. It’s light, easy to maneuver into tight spots, and doesn’t require a huge lawn tractor to pull. Storage is also simple; it won’t take up a massive footprint in your garage or barn. The 15-gallon tank is plenty for targeted jobs without the weight and sloshing of a larger unit.

The obvious tradeoff is the lack of a broadcast boom. You won’t be using this to efficiently spray an entire two-acre lawn for dandelions. It’s a dedicated spot-treatment machine. But for many hobby farmers, that focused capability is exactly what’s needed most often.

Agri-Fab 45-0292 15-Gallon Tow Sprayer

Think of the Agri-Fab 15-gallon sprayer as the dependable standard. It’s one of the most common models you’ll find because it hits a sweet spot of functionality and affordability. It provides both a spray wand for spot treatments and a rear-mounted boom for broadcast applications, giving you immediate versatility.

This is the kind of sprayer you get for general-purpose work on one to three acres. The 15-gallon tank is enough to cover a decent area before needing a refill, and the simple 12V pump connects directly to your mower’s battery. It’s not a commercial-grade unit, but for seasonal use, it gets the job done reliably.

The main consideration here is build quality versus price. The components are solid for homeowner use, but they won’t stand up to the daily abuse of a commercial operation. For the hobby farmer who needs to spray a few times a season, it represents an excellent value and a major step up from a backpack sprayer.

Chapin 97300E 15-Gallon Mixes On Exit System

Chapin took a different approach here, and it’s one that solves a major headache for many users. The "Mixes On Exit" system keeps the chemical concentrate in a separate, smaller tank. The main 15-gallon tank is filled with plain water, and the system mixes the two as you spray.

The practical benefit is huge. You never have a tank full of mixed chemicals left over. If you only need to spray seven gallons, you don’t have to figure out what to do with the other eight. Cleanup is also dramatically simpler—you just have to rinse the small concentrate tank and flush the lines with the clean water already in the main tank.

This system is ideal for someone who uses different types of herbicides or liquid fertilizers and hates the cleanup process. The tradeoff is mechanical complexity; there are more parts and dials than on a standard sprayer. But for those who value flexibility and hate wasting expensive chemicals, that complexity is well worth it.

NorthStar 21-Gallon Broadcast Boom Sprayer

When you need something a bit more robust, the NorthStar lineup is a solid step up. This 21-gallon model offers a bit more capacity, reducing refill trips. More importantly, NorthStar is known for using higher-quality pumps and components. The pump is often a proprietary design that delivers more consistent pressure and a longer service life.

This sprayer is built for someone who is using it regularly throughout the season, not just once or twice. The boom is typically more durable, and the overall construction feels more substantial. It’s a piece of equipment designed to last for many years of steady work on a small farm.

The extra 6 gallons of capacity over a 15-gallon model makes a noticeable difference on properties in the 3-5 acre range. It might be the difference between finishing the job in one go or having to stop and mix another batch. This is the choice for the hobby farmer who views their sprayer as a primary tool, not just an occasional-use accessory.

Master Mfg. 25-Gallon Universal Tow Sprayer

For those with a bit more ground to cover, the 25-gallon capacity of the Master Mfg. sprayer is a game-changer. This is the size where you start to feel real efficiency. You can cover several acres without the constant interruption of refilling, which dramatically shortens the time it takes to do the job.

The "universal" design means it’s built with a versatile hitch and frame that can be pulled by a wide range of lawn tractors, zero-turns, and UTVs. It comes equipped with both a quality broadcast boom and a handgun with a generous length of hose, so you aren’t sacrificing targeted application for broadcast capability.

The key consideration with a 25-gallon sprayer is weight. Water weighs about 8.3 pounds per gallon, so a full tank is over 200 pounds plus the weight of the sprayer itself. Ensure your mower has the power and traction to pull that load, especially if you have hills or soft ground.

John Deere LP22862 25-Gallon Tow Sprayer

If you’re running a John Deere mower, this sprayer is designed to be a perfect match. While you can pull it with other brands, it’s engineered to integrate seamlessly with Deere equipment, from the hitch height to the electrical connections. You often pay a premium for the green paint, but with it comes a certain assurance of fit and finish.

Functionally, it’s a direct competitor to other 25-gallon units, offering a large tank, a reliable 12V pump, and both boom and wand applicators. The booms on these branded sprayers are often well-designed for even coverage, and the components are built to a standard that matches the equipment they’re sold alongside.

Is it strictly necessary to match your sprayer brand to your mower brand? No. But for those who value a cohesive equipment ecosystem and are willing to pay for guaranteed compatibility and dealer support, the John Deere sprayer is a very strong and reliable option.

Sprayer Maintenance and Safe Application Tips

A sprayer only works as well as it’s maintained. The single most important habit you can develop is flushing the entire system with clean water after every single use. Leaving chemical residue in the pump, lines, or nozzles is the fastest way to cause clogs and damage. Run at least a few gallons of clean water through the pump, the boom, and the wand until it runs clear.

Before winter, don’t just drain it—winterize it. After a final flush, run a gallon or two of RV antifreeze through the system. This prevents any trapped water from freezing, cracking the pump housing, and leading to an expensive repair in the spring.

Safe application is about responsibility. Always read and follow the directions on the herbicide label; it’s not just a suggestion, it’s the law. Pay close attention to wind speed and direction to prevent drift onto desirable plants or your neighbor’s property. Wear basic personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection. A little bit of prevention goes a long way in protecting your health and the land you’re working to improve.

Choosing the right mower sprayer is about reclaiming your time and gaining control over your property. It’s an investment that transforms a daunting task into a routine one, letting you spend less time fighting weeds and more time enjoying the results of your hard work.