7 Steps to Make a Boom Sprayer Out of PVC

Want a custom ramp sprayer? Lawn sprinklers come in different styles, but they all generally work the same. However, buying one can set you back several hundred dollars.

If you want to add some features and save costs, you can simply make your own sprayer. This article will teach you how to make a ramp sprayer from PVC pipe.

This DIY project is quick, fun, and satisfying for anyone who enjoys lawn care. All you need are basic and readily available parts to build a custom boom sprayer that gets the job done.

So let’s dive in and discover how to install a homemade boom sprayer!

Things you will need to make a PVC boom sprayer

Things you will need to make a PVC boom sprayer

  • Tank: The tank carries liquid, such as fertilizer or herbicide, that you spray onto your lawn.
  • Pump: Choose the right pump for your lawn size and spraying needs.
  • Battery: A battery provides a reliable power source to operate the lawn sprayer.
  • Pressure Relief Valve: This valve controls fluid pressure, ensuring even application.
  • On-Off Valve: This valve controls when you start and stop spraying the liquid fertilizer or herbicide.
  • Filter: The filter is positioned on the suction side of the pump to prevent clogging of the hose and sprays.
  • PVC Hose: The PVC hose transfers the liquid fertilizer or herbicide from the tank to the nozzle. You will need a 3/8″ PVC hose suitable for the type of liquid you plan to use.
  • Aluminum Pipe: This makes up the bulk of the arm as it supports the nozzle and PVC hose.
  • Nozzle Kit: This kit consists of parts such as nozzles, nozzle bodies and spray tips.

Step by step guide on how to make a PVC boom sprayer

Once you’ve gathered all the parts, follow these steps to make a ramp sprayer.

Step 1: Mount the pump on the plastic tank.

Choose the right pump for your lawn spraying needs. For lawns of about two acres, you will need a 25- to 30-gallon tank and a standard 12-volt pump for the boom sprayer to operate effectively.

Choose the spot on the tank where you want to place the pump and mark four drill holes. Drill the holes and position the pump to line up with each hole on the tank.

Use screws to secure the pump and don’t forget to secure the screws with the angled nuts inside the tank.

Step 2: Install the pressure relief valve

Install the pressure relief valve

The pressure relief valve helps control fluid pressure as you spray it onto the lawn. It has an adjustable valve to set the pressure and a pressure gauge that gives you the pressure reading. The relief valve also has a wall that directs the extra fluid back into the tank.

To install the pressure relief valve, start by drilling a 7/8-inch hole in the top of the tank. Connect a burb fitting to the bulkhead and secure the barbed wires with Teflon tape to prevent leaks.

Insert the bulkhead through the hole and secure with screws and nuts. Next, use stainless steel clamps to attach a hose to the bar inside the tank. This configuration allows fluid to flow to the arm. The arm consists of a hose and an on/off valve.

Finally, place a pressure gauge above the relief valve. The pressure gauge should be facing you so you can monitor the pressure while using the lawn sprayer.

Step 3: Install the inline filter

The inline filter filters out particles and debris that can clog the spray tips. These particles could also swim down and interfere with the pump’s performance.

Drill a 7/8 inch hole in the tank just near the pump. Before installing the filter, apply teflon tape to the threads to minimize leakage.

Insert the end of the filter that will attach to a feed tube into the tank. You will then connect a 3/8” PVC pipe to the end of the filter inside the tank and secure it with hose clamps. The in-line filter configuration will serve as the feeder for spraying the liquid.

Step 4: Build the boom

Build the boom

Once you have all the other parts, it’s time to build the boom. For this part of the project, you will need a PVC hose, aluminum pipe, arm sprayer nozzle kit, and stainless steel clamps.

Cut five equal pieces of PVC hose. Note the length of the nozzle body; the pieces of PVC pipe must be the same length.

Next, connect the spray tips to one end of the nozzle body. I recommend installing five nozzle-to-spray body connections for effective spraying over a wider area.

After you have connected the spray tips to the five nozzle bodies, it is time to attach the nozzle body to the aluminum pipe. The aluminum pipe supports the hose configuration that ejects the liquid spray.

Use zipper to fasten the five-nozzle body of the aluminum pipe. Space the body with five nozzles evenly along the pipe.

Next, now you want to interconnect the five pieces of hose. The nozzle body will act as a connector between each piece of hose.

Insert the first nozzle body into one end of one of the five pieces of hose. Insert the other end of the nozzle body into the next piece of pipe until all five pieces of hose are interconnected to form a long hose with the nozzle body and their respective sprayers. Use stainless steel hose clamps to secure hose connections.

By following these simple steps, you now have a DIY boom sprayer.

Step 5: Position the tank on a pull-back cart

Place the tank on a pull-back cart

Now that you have the tank, filter, pump, valve and arm set up, the next step is to place the tank and sprayer on a cart. A trolley makes it easy to attach the sprayer to a lawnmower.

Pick up the tank and place it on the respective cart. Check if you need to adjust the height of the tank to ensure that the sprayer is mounted from the correct position to allow spraying over a wider coverage.

If you need to lift the tank, drill four holes, two on each side of the cart. Next, insert two small metal bars through the holes on each side of the cart to raise the tank as needed.

Position an aluminum frame around the cart to support where to place the arm. Next, mount the arm to the aluminum frame and secure it to the cart using nuts and bolts.

Step 6: Connect all the pieces

Connect all the pieces

You are now halfway through the project. You have the pump, filter, valve and arm in place and the tank is mounted on the cart.

All of these components must work together for a custom, highly efficient lawn sprayer. Start by connecting the strainer to the pump. Attach a PVC hose to one end of the filter, then attach the other end of the hose to the pump.

Next, connect the pressure relief valve to one end of the pump. Attach one end of the hose line to the pump and the other end to the pressure relief valve to form a circuit.

Finally, connect the DIY boom sprayer with the pressure relief valve. I recommend making this connection using an upstream distributor; an upward spreader is easy to use, allowing you to quickly detach sprayer installation arm.

Step 7: Connect the battery with the pump

Connect the battery with the pump

Your home boom sprayer requires a power source before you can use the machine to spread fungicide, herbicide and fertilizer on your lawn. Opt for a battery compatible with the power of the pump.

Remember, the pump you install will depend on your needs, for example the size of your lawn. A larger lawn will require a higher powered pump, while a smaller pump will work well for a lawn little.

Connect the battery to the pump by first securing the battery to the aluminum frame of the cart. Connect the battery to the pump and complete the setup by including a switch. The switch will be handy to start and stop the pump as needed.

There it is! Your personalized sprayer.

Summary: How to make a PVC boom sprayer

Boom sprayers have several advantages over boomless sprayers. First, the boom sprayer itself points toward the ground, ensuring that most of the chemical reaches the grass and less is blown away by the wind. This makes boom sprayers the perfect choice for larger lawns.

The better coverage a boom provides allows you to keep track of the areas you have sprayed and those that still need to be sprayed. Additionally, the nozzles on the PVC pipe are evenly spaced, minimizing overlapping applications and saving time and money.

If you want to save the cost of buying a new lawn sprayer, you should learn how to make a PVC ramp sprayer. This project gives you all the great benefits of a store bought ramp sprayer at a fraction of the cost, not to mention it’s super fun!

I hope this article has shown you how easy it is to make a PVC ramp sprayer. Go ahead and try it yourself.