Are you on the hunt for the most efficient method for applying fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals to your lawn? Well, you’re in the right place. Here, you’ll find the best tow-behind sprayer for your yard. We put together an assortment of options to help you land on the right product for the job. Whether you need to dance around a fence line, treat your lawn, kill weeds, or for commercial jobs, we’ve got you covered.
First, let’s do a quick refresher to consider the components that go into building a good pull-behind sprayer:
- On-Demand Pump – Pumps range in flow rate from 1 to 2.2 GPM and connect to your UTV, ATV, or tractor battery
- Tank – Thick-wall, UV-resistant, and chemical-resistant materials
- Diaphragm & Valves – Chemical-resistant to avoid corrosion and prolong the life of your sprayer
- Boom Arms – Adjustable, foldable, spring-loaded, and breakaway are features to look for
- Spot Sprayer – Handheld spot sprayers give you the ability to do spot spraying on the fly to treat hard-to-reach areas such as around trees and bushes
- Tires – Most models feature pneumatic or flat-free tires 10″ or larger
- Cart – Most carts are built with powder-coated steel to provide a sturdy ride and to prevent corrosion
The chart below displays the key specs to consider for each of our top picks.
Top 5 Pull-Behind Sprayers
| Product | Description |
#1) NorthStar Tow-Behind Trailer Boom Broadcast and Spot Sprayer  |
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#2) Agri-Fab 45-0292 15 Gallon Tow Sprayer  |
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#3) John Deere 25 Gallon Tow-Behind Sprayer (LP19479)  |
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#4) Chapin 97661 Mixes On Exit 15-Gallon Tow Behind Sprayer  |
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#5) Precision Products TCT25 Tow Behind and Spot Sprayer  |
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How to Choose a Pull-Behind Sprayer for Your Yard Size
Before we get started with the reviews, let’s first discuss which size sprayer you need for your yard. To make it easier, we put together a list of considerations below:
- .5 acres (21,750 sq ft) or Smaller – If the area you want to treat is .5 acres or smaller, then a 21-gallon tank or smaller will get the job done in a single fill-up.
- Between .5-acre and 1-acre (Up to 40,000 sq ft) – For larger areas, choosing a 31-gallon tank or bigger gives you a better chance of completing the job on a single tank.
- Multi-Treatment – If you want to apply mixtures (e.g. fertilizers, pre-emergents, post-emergents), then choosing a larger tank even for smaller lawns is wise to give you more capacity to work with.
- If in doubt, go with a larger tank because the price difference is usually small.
- A good rule of thumb is 1 gallon per 1,000 sq ft, though, it’s not 100% accurate.
Now that you have an idea of how to choose the right tank size, let’s go over the reviews of each of our picks.
Tow-Behind Sprayer Reviews
Below, we share detailed reviews of each of our top picks along with the pros & cons to consider for each model.
#1) NorthStar Tow-Behind Trailer Boom Broadcast and Spot Sprayer
NorthStar is the current leader in the pull-behind sprayer market. We included the 21-gallon model (282780), but this is far from your only choice. There are 21, 31, 41, 61, and 101-gallon sizes for both residential and commercial use. Be sure to consider the tips we provided for choosing the right tank size for your job to land on the right NorthStar model.
As far as features, all the components on NorthStar sprayers are top-notch. The company thought of every weak point in a typical pull-behind sprayer system and fitted their latest sprayer models with every solution to said problems. For example, NorthStar’s industrial-grade pumps are built to last, providing an impressive 100% duty cycle with no cooldown required.
Several final considerations are the customizations with the boom arms, including complete flow control over both arms, accurate spot spraying, an extra-wide 10′ swath, heavy-duty tanks & wheels, and one of the better warranties offered by the manufacturers featured in this guide. Overall, look here first, and if you’re not a fan or have a smaller job, then work you’re way down the ladder.
Pros
- Compatible with zero-turn mowers (ZTR)
- Clear assembly instructions
- Ample pressure and reach with the spot sprayer
- A remote switch to control the sprayer from your ATV
- Complete control over both sprayers, helpful for turning one side off for fence lines
- Good drain for rinsing out the tank
- Consistently even spray pattern
Cons
- The smallest tank size is 21-gallon
- Some mowers need to add an external battery
- Some parts are covered by a 90-day warranty, and NorthStar doesn’t make that clear
#2) Agri-Fab 45-0292 15 Gallon Tow Sprayer
The brand behind our top-rated tow-behind spreader, Agri-Fab, is one of the more trustworthy brands in the lawn care department. For small lawns and jobs, this 15-gallon pull-behind sprayer is perfect. Agri-Fab products are manufactured in America, occasionally with global materials. In this particular sprayer, the wiring harness and pump are Chinese parts, which Agri-Fab clearly states on its website. We like their transparency.
Regarding the sprayer, it gives you just about the same functionality as the NorthStar model above. You get a spot sprayer, the pump connects to your vehicle’s battery, extended booms for a 7′ swath, and just slightly smaller wheels at 10″. Additionally, there’s a drain located at the bottom front of the tank for easier cleaning.
One drawback that is important to consider is the 1 GPM rating on the pump. Since most competing models boast 2 to 2.2 GPM, the flow rate isn’t quite as high on this one. Though, for small jobs and lawns, that’s not a problem. Plus, if you have a front and back yard, this unit gives you enough capacity to do each yard separately at about 1 acre of total area.
Pros
- Made in the USA with minimal global parts
- The longest warranty period
- Excellent customer service
- Easy assembly
- Leak-free operation
- Built for residential and commercial use
- One of the more affordable options for homeowners
Cons
- 40 PSI, 1 GPM pump
- The wheels could be wider for a more stable ride
- Not the best choice for bumpy lawns or large areas
#3) John Deere 25 Gallon Tow-Behind Sprayer (LP19479)
Our top premium pick for residential and small commercial properties is this model by Deere. The first thing you may have noticed is the heavy-duty closed frame that’s of better quality than the other models in this guide. The low-profile design makes for a lower center of gravity for a smoother ride without the need to worry about the unit tipping over. Plus, there are built-in supports for vertical storage if you’re concerned about storage space.
Next, the 100 psi Shurflo diaphragm-type pump is a key highlight for reliable long hours of use. You’ll find that this model is great to use around your home and for business purposes. For even spraying, the boom tips feature check valves to prevent siphoning and dripping.
For spot treatment, the unit has an onboard wand with a fully adjustable brass spray tip. The wand provides up to 30 ft of coverage, which is about on par with or better than other brands. All in all, this is a sturdy piece of equipment made by one of the leaders in the industry.
Pros
- A premium pump for long hours of use
- Sturdier heavy-duty frame than competitors
- Convenient on/off switch for easier application
- Simple assembly
- Vertical storage option
- High-quality sprayer for spot treatment
- Low-profile design
Cons
- The highest upfront cost
#4) Chapin 97661 Mixes On Exit 15-Gallon Tow-Behind Sprayer
Now for the most unique model in our guide that certainly comes with a unique set of pros & cons. The biggest difference between this model and other competing models is the “mixes on exit” design. To put it simply, “mixes on exit” means there are two tanks and no pre-mixing required. You fill your large tank with plain water and the second smaller tank with your product. Then, you adjust the mixing valve (1-15 ounces of concentrate per gallon of water) to get the correct ratio for your product.
With enough practice, you may or may not find that this method is more convenient than pre-mixing your solutions. One clear advantage is the option to easily switch out tanks of different products. By purchasing multiple product tanks, you have the option to swap out your products without the need to rinse out your main tank. In our opinion, this is Chapin’s greatest selling point.
Other than that key feature, this model features boom & spot sprayers, a powerful 2.2 GPM pump, large pneumatic wheels, in-tank filters, and a drain cap similar to most pull-behind sprayers. Lastly, consider that the “mixes on exit” design complicates the assembly process.
Pros
- The ability to switch product tanks on the fly without rinsing the water tank
- Several sizes to choose from
- 2.2 GPM pump is more powerful than Agri-Fab’s
- An onboard Mix Valve for quick adjustments
Cons
- More complicated to assemble than other models
- When mixing at less than 1 oz per gallon of water, it’s necessary to do some math
- The sprayer is made with cheaper parts than competing models
#5) Precision Products TCT25 Tow Behind and Spot Sprayer
Our final pick is manufactured by another one of our favorite brands, Precision Products. Comparatively, this unit features a steel-body SUREflow pump (60 psi, 2 GPM) which is one of the better pumps you’ll find in this guide. Plus, it’s mounted to an anti-vibration pad for overall quieter operation.
As for the frame, it features six mounting points for a secure connection to the tank and 10″ pneumatic wheels for a mostly smooth ride. Next, this model does feature a high-quality wand for spot spraying. The 7′ swath is right on par with the other models in this guide.
All things considered, there’s not a whole lot here that you haven’t seen in the preceding models. Our one gripe with Precision Products equipment is the short 90-day warranty period. Considering Agri-Fab and NorthStar sprayers are just about in the same price range, we’d like to see Precision extend its warranty in the near future, especially on products with electrical components.
Pros
- Good quality pump with anti-vibration pad
- Stable frame design with six mounting points
- Good even spray pattern for single-pass coverage
Cons
- The shortest warranty period
- Not the best assembly instructions
- The wand hose should be longer
Final Tips
Overall, NorthStar manufactures the most popular and best tow-behind sprayer. Yes, John Deere’s quality might be higher, but for the money, we like what NorthStar has to offer, especially for residential use. Outside of those two companies, we like Agri-Fab’s model featured in this guide for small lawns and jobs.
Finally, if you’re still on the fence or unsure about what size sprayer to buy for your property, be sure to jump back up to go over our tips for choosing the right size sprayer for your yard. Also, if you’re a fan of Chapin’s unique design, just be sure to consider that the company still has some kinks to work out.
