The Sprayer Depot Blog

3 Reasons Why a Strainer Is an Important Part of Your Sprayer

Written by Sprayer Depot | Wed, Dec 16, 2015

Recently, our Customer Service Technicians have fielded a few calls regarding clogged strainers. While it may seem like a basic sprayer maintenance issue, it's often overlooked by even large companies with fleets of trucks and multiple sprayer units. 

So, we've updated this helpful post to emphasize the importance of good spray equipment maintenance.

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Clogging can cause a number of expensive problems on your sprayer. The fix to this common issue is simple and economical: properly install and service your strainer. The strainer in your sprayer is one of the easiest parts to maintain, however it's probably the most overlooked one. A clean and properly sealed strainer will allow proper flow to the pump and contribute to a longer pump life. For most applications, a standard Buna Gasket is adequate. However, if you find that you are replacing the Buna Gasket frequently, a Viton Gasket is a more durable option. 

Why is such a small part on your unit so important? There are three main reasons:

 

  1. Maintains consistent fluid circulation throughout the pump

  2. Keeps nozzles from clogging 

  3. Helps achieve optimal sprayer operation

Prevent Clogs
 
Some of the main reasons why a strainer gets clogged include: (1) incorrect mesh size; (2) lack of maintenance; and (3) insufficient consideration for the liquid that getting sprayed (fertilizers require a larger mesh strainer than water based chemicals). When shopping for strainers, pay close attention to the mesh size. It generally ranges from 10-200 and the higher the number the tighter the mesh. On most agricultural and pest control sprayers the recommended mesh size is 16-30. We manufacture all of our Kings Sprayers with a 20 size mesh screen. However, depending on your application and the type of liquid being sprayed you may need a different size. If you need a recommendation just let one of our Customer Service Technicians know and they will fit your sprayer with the appropriate mesh. 
 
Cleaning the strainer should be done after every use. We get it, after a hard day's work you are ready to put the sprayer away and head home. But taking 5 minutes to flush it out will pay off in the future. We've seen it before, many customers have brought their sprayers to our service department for a repair, after they've spent hundreds of dollars replacing every other part in an attempt to figure out why there's a loss of pressure. The first thing we typically check is the strainer, and we often find it clogged like the one pictured above. 
 
Clean Your Strainer
 
No need to remove the strainer from the line in order to clean it. Simply unscrew the bowl from the cap and take out the screen. Next, flush any debris and sediment from the screen. Finish up by reassembling the strainer by first fitting the screen to the flange in the bowl. Hand tightening the bowl provides a sufficient seal.
 
Popular Strainers

Strainers come in all types of materials, from nylon to poly, and even aluminum. Their shapes also vary, with "T" strainers being the most popular styles and "Y" strainers coming in a close second. Some of our best sellers include:

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