The 8 Best Tow-Behind Sprayers For Your Lawn in 2023

Whether you have a small lawn or a large one, keeping your lawn looking its best can take some time and effort. One of the best ways to make this process easier is by using a tow-behind sprayer.

These sprayers attach to the back of your lawn tractor or ATV and allow you to quickly and easily spray herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers on your lawn.

Are you looking for the best tow-behind sprayer for your lawn in 2023? Or maybe you’re just curious about the top 8 models on the market. Either way, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best sprayers currently available and what makes them so great.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, there’s sure to be something here that suits your needs. So read on and discover all there is to know about these amazing machines!

What Is a Sprayer?

A sprayer is a device that is used to apply liquids, such as herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers, to a lawn or garden. Sprayer machines are available in a variety of sizes and capabilities, ranging from tiny spot sprayers to big sprayers with broad land and plant coverage.

They can vary in size, ranging from easily portable sprayers (usually backpacks with spray guns) to tow-behind sprayers connected to a tractor that are up to 60–151 feet (or 18–46 meters) long depending on the design of the tractor and your land size.

Types of Sprayers

There are many different types of sprayers available on the market, such as Handheld Sprayers and Backpack Sprayers, but the most common type, and the one we’ll be discussing in this post, is the tow-behind sprayer.

Tow-Behind Sprayer

As its name suggests, a tow-behind sprayer is a sprayer that attaches to the back of a lawn tractor or ATV, and you then tow it behind the tractor as you use it on your lawn or garden. This allows you to quickly and easily apply liquids to your lawn.

A tow-behind sprayer consists of a tank in which you put the chemicals/fluid, a pump (usually 12 volts) to pump the fluid out of the tank, a tow bar, a cart or tires on which the tank sits, a spray wand for hand spraying, and a connection hitch between the sprayer and the ATV or lawn tractor.

You can get tow behind sprayers specifically to hook up to an ATV or for a tractor model, depending on what you have. Some tow-behind sprayers have long booms that extend out in both directions and spray a large path. These are predominantly used for agricultural purposes by farmers with many acres of farmable land.

There are also boom-less models, which typically come with a spraying wand that you hold as you drive your mower or tractor and spray the grass or plants that you aim at.

Handheld Sprayer

A handheld sprayer is one that you carry around with you as you spray, and that doesn’t come with any pads or backpack straps to carry it over your shoulder. Handheld sprayers are smaller and lighter on average than both tow-behind and backpack sprayers. Their tanks are typically less than 1 gallon in size, and you can use them both indoors or outside.

They’re also less expensive, but they also could lack some spraying features and are not suited for large open yards. Be aware when purchasing a handheld sprayer that holding a sprayer for lengthy periods may cause hand and wrist strain.

These sprayers either pump the fluids out of their tank with a battery or gasoline powered engine, or with a manual pump that you have to pump up and down to build up pressure for the sprayer. This could be fatiguing and takes a lot of extra time and effort as opposed to other kinds of sprayers.

Backpack Sprayer

Like the name suggests, backpack sprayers are those which you wear as a backpack while walking around spraying.

These sprayers tend to have larger tanks, and are ideal for individuals who wish to spray vast areas. Although backpack sprayers are heavier than hand sprays, the straps that allow you to wear them like a backpack relieve some of the strain off your hands. Additionally, because the tank is bigger, and you can cover a greater distance at one time.

Backpack sprayers have other advantages. They usually come with a wider selection of nozzles than hand carried sprayers, and they also provide higher pressure and require less pumping than handheld sprayers. Most brands have also made sure that the weight is equally distributed, making it easier to carry around for extended periods.

Benefits of a Tow-Behind Sprayer

You could miss a lot of vegetation if you use a handheld sprayer, but with a tow-behind sprayer you can cover the whole land completely thanks to wider coverage areas. The fluid is sprayed evenly and uniformly over the surface of the ground.

A tow-behind sprayer also coats more area in a shorter amount of time, and with less effort on your part, because you don’t have to carry the heavy backpack or handheld tank with you while you walk around.

They also help you to avoid hazardous chemicals. You’re farther removed from the spraying with a tow-behind sprayer, as well as the tank that houses all of the chemicals, so there is less likelihood that you get any hazardous material on your skin or your clothing.

Buying Guide for Tow-Behind Sprayers

So, when looking for a tow-behind sprayer to get, you want to make sure you get the model that best suits your needs. Here are some factors you’ll want to consider when purchasing a tow-behind sprayer for your lawn.

Tank Material

The first and most important aspect of your tow-behind sprayer to look at in depth is the tank, and specifically what the tank is made from. The tanks on the best tow-behind lawn sprayers should be resistant to corrosion.

So, when shopping around, you should avoid materials like as aluminum, galvanized, and steel. These materials could react to weed killer, fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides. Choose polyethylene, fiberglass, or stainless-steel instead. We’ll go through each one in turn.

Polyethylene is light, inexpensive, and somewhat impact resistant. Some poly sprayer tanks are produced with thicker walls to guarantee the tank’s longevity. UV protection is also included in some poly tanks to prevent them from drying out or cracking. However, exposing plastic water tanks to direct sunlight and extreme heat may cause it to deteriorate.

Fiberglass is a very long-lasting material for tank sprayers. It’s lightweight, has the benefit of being rustproof, and it’s simple to install. When it comes to storing these tanks, however, keep in mind that if you leave liquid in a fiberglass tank and it gets below 0°C (32°F), the container may explode.

Tow-behind sprayer tanks are best when made of stainless steel, which is the most durable material available. It is impact-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and you can leave your tow behind sprayer outside with little worry. However, on the other hand don’t forget that stainless steel is costly, and when it comes to weight, you’ll want additional assistance when transporting it from your storage location to where you will be using it.

Pressure gauge

The pressure gauge is a tool for measuring the force generated by the amount of liquid in a container. You should always be sure you’re using the correct pressure while spraying, so it’s critical to have your eye on it.

Furthermore, setting the gauge to the appropriate amount of pressure ensures that your lawn will be sprayed in a safe and appropriate manner. You can also be sure that you will utilize your sprayer correctly, and that it won’t burst.

Wheels/Tires

Air-filled pneumatic tires are preferable. The size of the wheels is determined by how difficult the terrain is. The bigger the wheels, the more demanding the terrain and surface are.

Many sprayer manufacturers offer 12-inch wheels that are appropriate for operating on rough ground even in fields with a steep gradient. Smaller wheels, on the other hand, work better on smooth, flat surfaces.

The best option for reducing friction and vibration through the trailer frame is a 10-inch tire. An 8-inch tire is only suitable for lawns, so farmers will need the extra inches to help them move the vehicle around their farm.

The tires should also be designed for traction, so look for deep treads. The treads aid in the movement of the wheels through loose dirt, ensuring that the trailer does not become caught up. When driving up a hill, tread provides traction on grass as well.

Tank Capacity

When purchasing a tow behind sprayer, the first thing you should think about is the area you will spray. The size of your spraying area will directly correlate to the size tank you want to purchase. If you don’t know your total square footage of your lawn, you should calculate it beforehand.

There are many different brands in today’s market, ranging from thirteen to over twenty-five gallons. However, for the majority of homeowners, a 15 gallon tank is more than sufficient.

Nozzles

On a tow-behind sprayer, the nozzle is another key component in the machine, as it is connected to the pressure gauge and the tank. There are a few types of nozzles, which we’ll go through now.

Conventional nozzles can only be used with pressure settings of 40 or higher. Otherwise, the spray pattern is likely to collapse.

At 40 psi, there is less drift with the pre-orifice nozzles, but when you go lower than that, the pattern may be lost more quickly, and generally, you’ll need to raise the pressure somewhat. When you utilize this nozzle at higher pressure, on the other hand, the sprayer becomes prone to drifting.

The Lo-pres air induced nozzle is similar to the pre-orifice nozzle, with the exception of a vent in the center that makes the spray rougher. Because it won’t function properly at lower pressure, for example, 40 psi, you should not use it. However, when you reach a pressure of 50 or 60 psi, the spray pattern is neat and the amount of drift is negligible.

Finally, the High-pres air induced nozzle is for extreme pressures, as the name suggests. It’s not meant for low pressure since the pattern completely vanishes. At around 60-80 psi, it delivers its greatest performance, though as the pressure rises above that, drift potential increases drastically.

Additionally, the nozzles on your spray wand and booms should be constructed of brass, because has the greatest durability and service life for a variety of chemicals.

Sprayer Booms

The sprayer booms you use also impact the coverage of your land. These pieces of equipment distribute your fertilizer in droplets, so that it is protected for your plants. Sprayer booms come in a variety of forms and we’ll go through what they are and how they’re used.

Dry booms are those that hold hoses that transport the liquid solution to the nozzles that are hung directly over the field. These models are high-powered and can cover a large area in one pass.

The second most common type of boom is the wet boom. These are hollow and transport the liquid to the spray tips that are attached immediately to them. With your tow-behind sprayer, you should be able to provide ample coverage for a large, wide area in a single pass with a wet boom. This powerful and adjustable boom allows the sprayer to spray left, right, centered, all three, and it can also be set to spray up or down.

The least common type is the Dripless boom. The main benefit of Dripless booms is that they can be readily stored and moved to any location you choose. Furthermore, the coverage area and spraying capacity is top notch as well.

Frame Materials

Before you pick a tow-behind sprayer to use with a trailer, examine the frame materials. Steel is the most common material used in tow-behind trailer frames. As a result, you’ll want to make sure they’re coated with some sort of anti-rusting solution to prevent the steel from rusting.

Powder-coated frames resist rust best. Also, you want to ensure that the axle is made of galvanized or stainless steel. A steel frame is sturdy and resilient to impacts on rocks. If you treat the frame properly, it will last a long time.

Mounting Kit

If you’re buying a tow-behind sprayer and are planning to use it attached to an ATV, make sure it comes with a mounting kit. If the sprayer you’re buying is too good of a bargain, it might be because it doesn’t include this mounting kit. Your kit might come with ratchet straps or a frame that attaches directly to the back of your ATV.

Spray Wand

The spray wand connects to your hose and you use it for hand-spraying your flowerbeds and other vegetation. The majority of spray-wand-only versions, however, include gun clip attachments on the tank. You can secure the wand in the clips and adjust the spraying width to match your needs.

Hose Length

The hose length enables you to use the spray wand at a distance of up to 30 feet from the tank. The majority come with a 15-foot hose. For simpler storage and extra length, we recommend getting models that have a phone-cable-style hose.

Diaphragm Pump

In general, this type of pump is less prone to failure than a piston pump since it does not come into touch with the cylinder wall. The diaphragm generates pressure by flexing up and down during pumping. It can produce pressures up to 60 psi and is ideal for wettable powders, bleach, or abrasive solutions. This kind of pump, while it is repairable, takes more time to repair than a piston pump.

Reviews of The Top 8 Tow-Behind Sprayers

We have provided for you a buyer’s guide that has all of the factors that you should look into before purchasing a tow-behind sprayer. Now, let’s take a look at some of the top-rated models on the market, so you can see if any of these could be the right sprayer for you!

#1. NorthStar Tow-Behind Boom Broadcast and Spot Sprayer

The NorthStar Tow-Behind Boom Broadcast and Spot Sprayer comes in at the number one spot for our top tow-behind sprayers. This 21-gallon model is ideal for both precise and wide-coverage spraying. You can easily tow your Northstar sprayer behind either an ATV or a lawn/garden tractor.

It has a commercial-grade NorthStar NSQ Series pump that makes priming easier, in addition to providing excellent durability and resistance to harsh conditions as well as corrosive chemicals. This is a fantastic, highest-quality pump, with an outstanding 100% duty cycle. That means the competition’s under-engineered sprayer has to wait for its overworked, under-designed motor to cool down, while the NSQ Series pump hasn’t even worked up a sweat.

The tank is mounted to a robust 100% steel cart that can handle the roughest terrain, which is secured to a retractable tow-bar, foldable boom arms, and the axle and wheels are detachable for ultra-compact storage. The tank features gallon markings molded into it for convenient fluid-level checking.

You have multiple spray options as well – it can cover a 10 foot path area, and can also be used for precision spot spraying. It features spring-loaded breakaway boom arms that will not kink, fracture, or deform under pressure. With the spot spraying you can also aim for only the vegetation you want to be sprayed, making it perfect for weeds, trees, fence lines, and other small regions.

#2. Agri-Fab 45-0292 15 Gallon Tow Sprayer

The Agri-Fab 45-0292 15 Gallon Tow Sprayer is another great tow-behind option. The tank can hold 15 gallons of liquid chemicals or fertilizer, and it sprays a 7-foot-wide path when the booms are fully extended, meaning you can easily spray up to your full yard in little time and without having to refill your tank.

This sprayer is battery powered, and it easily connects to your riding vehicle’s electrical power source, so you don’t need to worry about it running out of charge. Additionally, it connects to any kind of tower you are driving, whether it be a riding lawn mower, lawn tractor, or ATV.

The Agri-Fab 45-0292 has a boom with four spray nozzles and a self coiling wand with hose for spot spraying, so you can cover a wide swath in a short amount of time, or spray with accuracy and only the plants you need to cover. Finally, this model comes with a 3 year limited warranty, so if you’re looking for a test run, or want to have all your bases covered, this is a perfect sprayer for you.

#3. Ironton Tow-Behind Broadcast and Spot Sprayer

The Ironton Tow-Behind Broadcast and Spot Sprayer is a versatile, efficient, and industrial-grade tow-behind sprayer that can handle big and small jobs alike.

Save time and effort by spraying large areas with a powerful 40in. broadcast width, which is ideal for yards, orchards, and other similar applications. The spray gun’s nozzle can be adjusted from a strong stream to a gentle mist, making its cover area versatile – there aren’t many locations where you can’t spray with 12ft. vertical reach and 20ft. horizontal throw.

This model has a 1 GPM Ironton pump with chemical-resistant components. The 13-gallon tank is UV-protected and compatible with almost all pesticides. Gallon marks molded into the tank make it simple to keep track of fluid levels. There’s an easy-to-remove tank bottom drain on the gallon markings in the tank.

In addition, the spray gun has an adjustable nozzle between stream and cone sprays. The maximum distance that the stream may reach is 20 feet wide and 12 feet high, and it boasts a 3/8″ x 11′ Clear PVC hose reinforced with braided synthetic cord for durability. A remote control with battery clips comes included.

#4. Precision Products TCS25 Spot Sprayer

The next tow-behind sprayer on our list is the Precision Products TCS25 Spot Sprayer. This is a 25 gallon, 12 volt spot sprayer, and it has the capacity to spray at 60 PSI and up to 1.8 gallons of liquid per minute. It doesn’t come with a trailer, but it can be easily mounted on a rear basket or trailer for an ATV, riding lawn mower, or lawn tractor.

This tow-behind sprayer has a heavy-duty opaque plastic tank with line markings that call out the gallons and a drain plug for quick clean up and storage, plus an 8′ Detachable Power Harness with heavy duty battery clamps and On/Off Switch, and a powerful pump. The hose is also 15 feet long, which is great for spraying hard-to-reach vegetation, trees, and shrubs. It also has a thumb controlled spray wand for easy spot control.

#5. Brinly ST-152BH Tow Behind Lawn and Garden Sprayer

With the Brinly ST-152BH Tow Behind Lawn and Garden Sprayer you may easily apply fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, water and other liquid substances from the seat of your lawn tractor or ATV.

It features foldable break-away booms for easy storage and simple movement around garden obstacles, including along with retaining walls and other tight places. You can also store it in a tight space in your garage or shed. because it fold into a vertical self-storing design.

The Brinly ST-152BH is unique in that it has a 15 gallon translucent white tank with an oversized screw cap for easy filling and mixing. Attached to the tank is a high-performance 1 GPM/40 psi pump with twin filtering system, giving it a long life.

It also features a spray wand with 12′ reinforced hose for 16′ vertical spray and 28′ horizontal spray, in addition to extendable booms with twin spray nozzles for 70″ coverage when towing.

#6. CHAPIN 97600 15-Gallon Tow-Behind Dripless Sprayer

The CHAPIN 97600 15-Gallon Tow-Behind Dripless Sprayer is next on our list of the top 8 tow-behind sprayers for your lawn in 2023. This is another model with a 15 gallon tank, which is sufficient for the majority of lawns and gardens, and the tank is translucent and has a 5-inch-wide mouth and drain plug for simplified cleaning, filling, and emptying.

This sprayer features a poly tank construction with poly trigger shut-off materials, and it also includes a brass extension wand spray nozzle and a high-performing 12-volt diaphragm pump with two filtration systems.

The 15-foot reinforced hose and 7-foot coverage spray boom and 38 ft max vertical spray give you enough reach to tackle any cleaning task, while the Comfort Grip lock on/off function and professional dripless shut-off allow you to concentrate on what matters most. Lastly, it boasts a durable steel-frame trailer and pneumatic tires for optimum maneuverability.

#7. NorthStar 31-Gallon Tow-Behind Broadcast and Spot Sprayer

The NorthStar 31-Gallon Tow-Behind Broadcast and Spot Sprayer is the 31 gallon model of our top rated tow-behind sprayer. It boasts many of the same great features, but the 31 gallon tank is more expensive and larger and heavier to lug and tow around, so you should only look into this model if you need the extra spraying volume. If you work on a farm or are in agriculture professionally, this could be the perfect machine for you.

The large tank design’s extra-thick walls are UV-resistant and compatible with almost all pesticides, making it ideal for heavy applications. Along with this, the NorthStar NSQ Series on-demand pump has a maximum pressure of 70 PSI and delivers 2.2 GPM open flow with a continuous duty rating is 100%.

This model also features a Honeywell Micro Switch for increased durability and efficiency, as well as Santoprene diaphragm and Viton valves for superior chemical resistance and durability.

#8. Master Manufacturing 15 Gallon Spot Sprayer

The Master Manufacturing 15 Gallon Spot Sprayer can be attached to an ATV or lawn tractor, as it does not have a trailer that it comes with. It is a powerful tow-behind sprayer – you can spray up to 15 feet vertically and 20 feet horizontally, and it comes with a 15 foot rubber hose, so it is perfect if you need to reach hard-to-spray plants or grass.

The spray gun also can be adjusted from mist to stream, and the Everflo 1.0GPM 12V Diaphragm Pump provides 1 gallon per minute of spray. The translucent and UV-resistant polyethylene tank holds 15 gallons of liquid and includes a 5-inch filling lid with a tether, as well as a mold-in drain with cap. It also comes with 12V connection cables for quick battery connection.

Although this is just a spot sprayer, it can easily be upgraded to a broadcast sprayer if you need, with a simple addition of the Master Manufacturing boom and mounting kit.

In Conclusion

Now that you know what to look for when purchasing a tow-behind sprayer, the decision as to which one to get depends on what you are looking for and the specifications and needs of your lawn and garden.

With so many different types and brands of tow-behind sprayers available on the market today, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. That’s why we created this comprehensive buying guide – to help you make an informed decision.

We’ve looked at a variety of factors, such as tank size, pressure gauge, hose length, and diaphragm pump, to help you choose the best tow-behind sprayer for your needs.

And if you want our recommendation, we stand by the NorthStar Tow-Behind Boom Broadcast and Spot Sprayer. It is a great model and is highly rated by all those who have used it.

But ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which one is the best fit for your property and your budget. So, research your options and make the decision that’s right for you. And if you need any more information, just ask! Thanks for reading!