I just went to assemble mine and could not figure out the straps at all so your video saved the neighbours from waking up to me ranting, thank you so much!
Thanks so much, DirtFarmerJay! The instructions that came with my 425 model in New Zealand were totally inadequate. I was baffled until I saw your video!
Antonia Murphy Antonia, great to hear from you. Glad to be of help. What part of New Zealand? I had the awesome privilege of visiting Wellington several years ago on business. Got to enjoy just a bit of pleasure time there, but it's been on my "bucket list" since to bring Maggie back there and enjoy a couple of weeks in your beautiful country. Who knew there was another set of alps other than in Switzerland?
Thank you for the video - I should also mention it's a good idea to test with some water first to make sure everything is working properly initially before you place the chemicals in it.
Have several knapsack units and ended up sticking with the battery pump one as it was only a tad over $100, downside of all of them is the fibreglass wand which is fragile and if pinched in a door or under a heavy Chem tub they splinter! I bought a SS wand version and they are bulletproof and still cheap! I should add I’m a pest controller so I do use my tools several times a day and are hard riden
Brian, sorry to hear of your experience! From time to time, I've had similar experiences with other products as well. My pet peeve is over-packaged consumer goods with ultra-tough "clam-shells" to keep the product shoplifting resistant. I ended up in the emergency room to get my knuckle stitched back up after trying to get a cordless phone system out of a package and after literally 10 different cuts to get the package to release. But I digress... As for the Solo brand, it would have been smarter of them to back you up more strongly, or to have better quality control to begin with. As for it being shipped partially assembled, I can understand that, simply because there would be a lot of waste in packaging both in needed a bigger box than needed, and using up a lot of room in shipping that wasn't necessary. Good for you being the self reliant type and just taking care of the issue. Hopefully there's not a lot of others that have had this problem hit them. Thanks for reading, watching, and visiting us at DirtFarmerJay! Pass us on. BTW, great google plus page you have!
I just could not figure out how the handle was supposed to work, until I watched this video. Even then it was counterintuitive. The thing that is confusing is the ""fold away" feature. Unless you put the handle in a vice, or have it installed, it will seem that the handle is not adjustable. But, when the base is firmly held, the handle will swivel 180 degrees so that, in one position it works for pumping, in in the opposite position it is for stowing. To be honest, between that and the fancier backstraps, I prefer the original model. If only they lasted forever.
I just wanted to add to your excellent video one little problem I had after buying one of these units today to help anyone else with the same problem. The handle on my unit would not stow away and appeared to be a solid one piece unit, that came out of the box in the folded out position that made it harder for me to figure out. Not wanting to break anything I tried twisting the handle with a bit of force when I first installed it, but it didn't budge. I struggled to figure out why the box claimed the handle stowed away, and got annoyed thinking that the extra mount position was their weak excuse for a stow away handle position, because with the handle in the folded out position, it installs in the same stowed position using the second bolt hole; very confusing! After watching your video a few more times and wondering why you didn't mention any problems, it finally dawned on me that the handle must rotate and decided to used some muscle to see if the handle would move without breaking, which it finally did. My handle is very stiff but does stow away. Looks like I got an extra thick paint job that needs to be worn through. I don't know if I would have figured it out without your video so thankyou.
Jedda73 Glad to be of help and even gladder you got the stow away feature of the handle operational. Not being able to rotate the handle out of the way when you are filling, handling or stowing the unit away would be annoying. Looks like your persistence paid off! Thanks for watching our videos and be sure to check out our other topics at th-cam.com/users/dirtfarmerjay - and pass us on! Best, DFJ
can you show how to put on the straps completely through the instructions? We are not too smart at this as we cant seem to get the front straps right. thanks in advance
Is there a trick to removal of the pressure cylinder -I have tried as suggested in the manual to use a block of wood to tap it out but to no avail Cheers Mike
Mike, thanks for writing. That cylinder almost acts as though it was welded in! You might try getting either a soapy solution into the joint, or a penetrating oil substance to see if you can get it to break loose. Another approach may be to use a blow drier to warm all around the seal to see if you can get it separate. I hope this helps! Best, DFJ
It still works well, it's easy to rebuild the diaphragm if you need to and, remember to use different sprayers for different types of products. Does that help? Best, DFJ
Just picked up a 425-101, seems reviews to most other sprayers always used Solo as a reference and while getting the straps adjusted, seems like they slip off the shoulder easily. Any suggestions for strap location and retention? The lower strap assist that far up. I'm not a skinny minny either.
I would suggest a chest retention strap that would wrap around both the over the shoulder straps, holding them in place across your chest and keeping them from sliding off. Perhaps a piece of strap with velcro that you can quickly apply and remove easily. I had the same situation. Best to you, DFJ
Eddie Regory Eddie, thanks for watching our video! There are two similar models that Solo makes, but with different pump configurations. The Solo 425 is a piston model that is good for clear liquids, soap solutions and the like. Pesticides and Herbicides can usually be used in this model. The other one is the Solo 475-B, which is a diaphragm model. This is designed for wettable powders, which tend to be gritty and abrasive, as well as bleach solutions like what you are using. I suspect you have the 425. If you do, and don't intend to get the 475-B, the best thing you can do to extend the life of seals and gaskets in the piston pump is to grease coat them. Getting the pump in and out is a bit of a trick, but it's doable. Hope this helps!
It would've been nice if he had filled the unit with water and demonstrated the PUMPING. I have this tool and the MANUAL DOES NOT SHOW PUMPING INSTRUCTION.
Jay I am looking to spray a vertical surface of a house. Say 30 ft tall. What should I use. Will this backpack model spray that far? If not what would you recommend? Thanks Jim
+jim Meehan - what is it that you are applying that far up? If it's insecticide, one of the tips provided will probably let you do that - on a calm day. If you're apply stain or wood preservative, don't think you could get the volume or the even coverage you'd need. Sounds like a pressure sprayer may be more of what you're looking for.
Glenn Taylor Glenn, I think this would be pushing the limits of this unit, but it's possible using the largest volume tip included with the unit. The initial burst may reach, but you'll have to really pump to maintain both pressure and volume. Also, having bleach in the air has it's own concerns - but no more that using other compounds in a pressure washer. Avoiding windy days, keeping the kids and animals away, and using the right clothing all comes into play. Thanks for watching our channel on dirtfarmerjay.com!
I'm done with Solo products. Had 2 $40 sprayers (3 gal.) crap out within a year of purchase. Wouldn't hold air pressure. Had to set the damn thing down every 30-40 seconds to pump. What a joke. Why pay $100 for a 4 gallon backpack sprayer when I can get the same thing at Harbor Freight for under $40 with a year's replacement coverage?
+Tim Arnold - sorry to hear of your miserable experience. I've not encountered what you have, but that sound pretty frustrating. My suspicion is that the seals or gaskets either dried out, shrunk, or were cracked. If that happens, pressure will be lost and you end up doing a lot of of extra work to get the use out of it you bargained for. Having said that, I've been able to keep sprayers going longer by keeping the seals conditioned (using something like silicone grease) and assuring I'm using the right sprayer for the material at hand. There are generally two types, one of pure liquids that aren't caustic, and the other for either gritty solutions, wettable powders, and harsher chems like bleach. Best to you on your recent purchases. Let me know how they work out long term - that would be of value to other viewers. Best, DFJ
Steve Larking Steve, glad to help. From time to time, (more often than we'd like) the engineers of things are thinking more of the manufacturing process instead of the end user. We just have to outsmart 'em. Thanks for watching the video and visiting us at www.dirtfarmerjay.com!
I just went to assemble mine and could not figure out the straps at all so your video saved the neighbours from waking up to me ranting, thank you so much!
Glad I could help! Best to you! DFJ
Thanks so much, DirtFarmerJay! The instructions that came with my 425 model in New Zealand were totally inadequate. I was baffled until I saw your video!
Antonia Murphy Antonia, great to hear from you. Glad to be of help. What part of New Zealand? I had the awesome privilege of visiting Wellington several years ago on business. Got to enjoy just a bit of pleasure time there, but it's been on my "bucket list" since to bring Maggie back there and enjoy a couple of weeks in your beautiful country. Who knew there was another set of alps other than in Switzerland?
nice one mate! you're an expert demonstrator. you answered all of my questions in the one video.
Thank you for the video - I should also mention it's a good idea to test with some water first to make sure everything is working properly initially before you place the chemicals in it.
Ali, great tip!
Thank you for this video, just got this yesterday but it came without instructions, was thinking of sending it back, but I think I will just try it.
Glad I could help! How did it turn out? Best, DFJ
was looking for a video on how to assemble the damn thing in he first place, your video was nice and short and helpful, thank you!
Thanks for watching.
Have several knapsack units and ended up sticking with the battery pump one as it was only a tad over $100, downside of all of them is the fibreglass wand which is fragile and if pinched in a door or under a heavy Chem tub they splinter! I bought a SS wand version and they are bulletproof and still cheap! I should add I’m a pest controller so I do use my tools several times a day and are hard riden
Brian, sorry to hear of your experience! From time to time, I've had similar experiences with other products as well. My pet peeve is over-packaged consumer goods with ultra-tough "clam-shells" to keep the product shoplifting resistant. I ended up in the emergency room to get my knuckle stitched back up after trying to get a cordless phone system out of a package and after literally 10 different cuts to get the package to release. But I digress...
As for the Solo brand, it would have been smarter of them to back you up more strongly, or to have better quality control to begin with. As for it being shipped partially assembled, I can understand that, simply because there would be a lot of waste in packaging both in needed a bigger box than needed, and using up a lot of room in shipping that wasn't necessary.
Good for you being the self reliant type and just taking care of the issue. Hopefully there's not a lot of others that have had this problem hit them.
Thanks for reading, watching, and visiting us at DirtFarmerJay! Pass us on. BTW, great google plus page you have!
I like nice demostration that is what i need hiw put the straps thanks nice video
Thanks for watching!
I just could not figure out how the handle was supposed to work, until I watched this video. Even then it was counterintuitive. The thing that is confusing is the ""fold away" feature. Unless you put the handle in a vice, or have it installed, it will seem that the handle is not adjustable. But, when the base is firmly held, the handle will swivel 180 degrees so that, in one position it works for pumping, in in the opposite position it is for stowing. To be honest, between that and the fancier backstraps, I prefer the original model. If only they lasted forever.
I just wanted to add to your excellent video one little problem I had after buying one of these units today to help anyone else with the same problem. The handle on my unit would not stow away and appeared to be a solid one piece unit, that came out of the box in the folded out position that made it harder for me to figure out. Not wanting to break anything I tried twisting the handle with a bit of force when I first installed it, but it didn't budge.
I struggled to figure out why the box claimed the handle stowed away, and got annoyed thinking that the extra mount position was their weak excuse for a stow away handle position, because with the handle in the folded out position, it installs in the same stowed position using the second bolt hole; very confusing! After watching your video a few more times and wondering why you didn't mention any problems, it finally dawned on me that the handle must rotate and decided to used some muscle to see if the handle would move without breaking, which it finally did. My handle is very stiff but does stow away. Looks like I got an extra thick paint job that needs to be worn through. I don't know if I would have figured it out without your video so thankyou.
Jedda73 Glad to be of help and even gladder you got the stow away feature of the handle operational. Not being able to rotate the handle out of the way when you are filling, handling or stowing the unit away would be annoying. Looks like your persistence paid off! Thanks for watching our videos and be sure to check out our other topics at th-cam.com/users/dirtfarmerjay - and pass us on!
Best, DFJ
can you show how to put on the straps completely through the instructions? We are not too smart at this as we cant seem to get the front straps right. thanks in advance
Is there a trick to removal of the pressure cylinder -I have tried as suggested in the manual to use a block of wood to tap it out but to no avail Cheers Mike
Mike, thanks for writing. That cylinder almost acts as though it was welded in! You might try getting either a soapy solution into the joint, or a penetrating oil substance to see if you can get it to break loose. Another approach may be to use a blow drier to warm all around the seal to see if you can get it separate. I hope this helps! Best, DFJ
Great job.
thank you for a good instructional video. Much appreciated.
Bruce McDermott Thanks, Bruce! I hope you are enjoying your backpack sprayer. Thanks for visiting dirtfarmerjay.com!
What is your opinion about this sprayer after so many years?
It still works well, it's easy to rebuild the diaphragm if you need to and, remember to use different sprayers for different types of products. Does that help? Best, DFJ
Served me 30 year..
Just picked up a 425-101, seems reviews to most other sprayers always used Solo as a reference and while getting the straps adjusted, seems like they slip off the shoulder easily. Any suggestions for strap location and retention? The lower strap assist that far up. I'm not a skinny minny either.
I would suggest a chest retention strap that would wrap around both the over the shoulder straps, holding them in place across your chest and keeping them from sliding off. Perhaps a piece of strap with velcro that you can quickly apply and remove easily. I had the same situation. Best to you, DFJ
Ironic Jay, we may need one for spraying a big yard of weeds at work. Does it have a pressure relief valve?
I've got one of these but it seems that the bleach I use eats up the rubber flange too quickly. Any advice as to why or an alternative solution?
Eddie Regory Eddie, thanks for watching our video! There are two similar models that Solo makes, but with different pump configurations. The Solo 425 is a piston model that is good for clear liquids, soap solutions and the like. Pesticides and Herbicides can usually be used in this model. The other one is the Solo 475-B, which is a diaphragm model. This is designed for wettable powders, which tend to be gritty and abrasive, as well as bleach solutions like what you are using. I suspect you have the 425. If you do, and don't intend to get the 475-B, the best thing you can do to extend the life of seals and gaskets in the piston pump is to grease coat them. Getting the pump in and out is a bit of a trick, but it's doable. Hope this helps!
It would've been nice if he had filled the unit with water and demonstrated the PUMPING. I have this tool and the MANUAL DOES NOT SHOW PUMPING INSTRUCTION.
Erik Charles this is also what I would like to see
Jay
I am looking to spray a vertical surface of a house. Say 30 ft tall. What should I use. Will this backpack model spray that far? If not what would you recommend?
Thanks
Jim
+jim Meehan - what is it that you are applying that far up? If it's insecticide, one of the tips provided will probably let you do that - on a calm day. If you're apply stain or wood preservative, don't think you could get the volume or the even coverage you'd need. Sounds like a pressure sprayer may be more of what you're looking for.
Thank you.
DO u recommend this pump sprayer to buy ?
Could you use this to spray Clorox up to a second story level before pressure washing your house?
Glenn Taylor Glenn, I think this would be pushing the limits of this unit, but it's possible using the largest volume tip included with the unit. The initial burst may reach, but you'll have to really pump to maintain both pressure and volume. Also, having bleach in the air has it's own concerns - but no more that using other compounds in a pressure washer. Avoiding windy days, keeping the kids and animals away, and using the right clothing all comes into play. Thanks for watching our channel on dirtfarmerjay.com!
Can this be used with Vinegar
I'm done with Solo products. Had 2 $40 sprayers (3 gal.) crap out within a year of purchase. Wouldn't hold air pressure. Had to set the damn thing down every 30-40 seconds to pump. What a joke. Why pay $100 for a 4 gallon backpack sprayer when I can get the same thing at Harbor Freight for under $40 with a year's replacement coverage?
+Tim Arnold - sorry to hear of your miserable experience. I've not encountered what you have, but that sound pretty frustrating. My suspicion is that the seals or gaskets either dried out, shrunk, or were cracked. If that happens, pressure will be lost and you end up doing a lot of of extra work to get the use out of it you bargained for. Having said that, I've been able to keep sprayers going longer by keeping the seals conditioned (using something like silicone grease) and assuring I'm using the right sprayer for the material at hand. There are generally two types, one of pure liquids that aren't caustic, and the other for either gritty solutions, wettable powders, and harsher chems like bleach. Best to you on your recent purchases. Let me know how they work out long term - that would be of value to other viewers. Best, DFJ
How much
Neplon, depending on where you buy one, you should be able to get one for under $100. Best, DFJ
Hi, Thanks for the video, the instructions in the box were pathetic, why would they make something that needs a clamps to attach the straps!!!!!
Steve Larking Steve, glad to help. From time to time, (more often than we'd like) the engineers of things are thinking more of the manufacturing process instead of the end user. We just have to outsmart 'em. Thanks for watching the video and visiting us at www.dirtfarmerjay.com!
Biggest piece of garbage I ever bought.... Returned immediately
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