Pest Control Power Sprayers - Start with the Tank

Pest Control Spray Rigs - Start with the Tank

How to select pest control sprayer tank size?

Tank size is critical. The first component of a power spray rig is the tank. Once tank size is determined, every other component can be selected. Tank size should be the largest one needed to support the average or expected daily workload. Select a tank large enough so a technician isn’t constantly refilling, which kills productivity and can annoy customers who don’t like vendors using the customer’s water. The tank must be small enough to fit in the truck and keep the load (weight of the water) within the truck’s safe handling capacity. 

If the company doesn’t have the vehicle, use this formula to determine tank size:

(Average number of stops per day) x (average number of gallons applied per stop) + small safety margin = recommended tank size.

Example: The plan is to make 12 stops per day and apply 5 gallons of product per stop. 12 stops x 5 gallons = 60 gallons plus a 5% safety factor (10% x 60 gallons = 3 gallons). The tank size should be at least 63 gallons. Tanks don’t come in 63-gallon sizes, so the next larger size is 65 gallons, which is your minimum starting point. 

It’s better to have too many gallons than not enough. Having to stop to refill the tank will hurt productivity and often angers the customer whose water you’re using to fill the tank. Remember, a larger tank can always be partially filled if that’s all the day’s workload requires.

If the tank is 100 gallons, but the tech knows he’ll only need 50 gallons for the day’s work, fill the tank halfway, which is preferable to having a 50-gallon tank and having to refill it to finish the day’s jobs. This assumes the truck has the capacity (weight and space) to handle the tank. 

If the company already has the vehicle, tank size might be limited. For example, don’t put more than 50 or 65 gallons in a compact pickup truck. Those who put too large a tank in a small truck pay for it by having to frequently replace brakes, tires, suspension and transmission.