Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

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MorpheusPA
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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by MorpheusPA » August 23rd, 2011, 1:32 pm

Except for EBay suppliers I know by long usage or by reputation from others, I don't use it. I went with Northern Tool because I'm comfortable with them.

However, with 99.8% positive feedback and almost 20,000 reviews, I don't think you'll have any issues with that Ebay supplier. Still, I prefer a company I know and trust.

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by xxryu139xx » August 23rd, 2011, 1:42 pm

also check out the reviews and the items they have been selling. u'll know it's a hacked/scam account if there is a drastic change in products they sell, e.g. collectible card seller suddenly selling brand new cars.

i stay away from ebay now. paypal is horrible.

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by Michael Wise » February 11th, 2012, 12:12 am

Could you clarify "feather edge", Morph? Spraying less on the edges of the spray fan?

Would you say you need an overlap to make all things even?

Sorry if this is a dumb question. A couple of the things I'd like to use this year would be so much cheaper in the long run if I sprayed instead of broadcast. I've sat on this long enough and need to just buy the dang thing. :D

I'm just nervous because I feel like I've only now gotten good with a spreader. Little scared of a sprayer and liquids, but this thing is so spreader like, I'm hoping some of the spreader skillz will spill over.

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by MorpheusPA » February 11th, 2012, 9:52 am

Exactly! The center stripe is heavily sprayed, the edges feather out more lightly. Some overlap is required to keep everything the same, just like any broadcast spreader. I follow a much tighter step than a broadcast, though.

It probably took me two tries to get it right the first time, but that was minor (and I was spraying iron so distribution only impacts color...obvious in a day or so, but not at all harmful and easy to fix).

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by Michael Wise » February 11th, 2012, 12:01 pm

Thank you so much, sir!

I can always measure out 1000 sq. ft. of driveway and practice with water. Or I've got the back forty and I could put some blue marker in the water.

Thanks again!

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by xxryu139xx » February 12th, 2012, 10:54 pm

Just placed an order for one on amazon. I ordered some serenade and prodiamine on ebay too.

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by Michael Wise » March 9th, 2012, 9:01 pm

Got mine in today and sprayed a little water in the driveway before dark.

This things gonna be fun. I don't think it will be near as hard as I thought to get even overlaps. I just need to calibrate it to my walk and see how much liquid I use per 1000 and I'll be set. :D

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by MorpheusPA » March 9th, 2012, 9:41 pm

Yep, once you learn your calibration it's a snap. And with a lot of things, more or less doesn't matter, so I'm never that exacting with iron. I know roughly what'll give me 5 ounces per K or so, give or take, plus or minus. Close enough. Shrug.

I'm much more careful with pre-emergents.

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by Lawndog » March 14th, 2012, 9:40 pm

Just want to give my review of the Earthway S15 Sprayer.

I purchased one on Amazon last week. Shortly after using it the first time, the gearbox and bracket holding it onto the frame broke off. Amazon was nice enough to send me a replacement today. After using the new one for about 4 gallons worth of water, the bracket holding the gear box broke off once again.

After some research on Earthway's website, it appears both models I have received are newly redesigned. The photos on their site show the bracket and gear box being held by a long bolt. The mounting system on mine is comprised of a small plastic bracket being held onto the frame with two tiny screws. I've put a call into Earthway to find out what can be done about my issues. It's happened to both machines just out of the box. This is unaccepatable as this sprayer is not cheap. Clearly in my experience with both sprayers, the new mounting system is the weak link. It appears the bracket is not strong enough to hold the gearbox onto it.

Morph also has this machine but his seems to be the better constructed model with the long bolt holding the gearbox to the frame. He has had no issues with his.

Just a heads up in case anyone here wants to buy one. Any one else have the newer style system and if so I'm curious as to your experience.

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by Michael Wise » March 14th, 2012, 10:21 pm

PLEASE keep us updated with Earthway's response and any resolution.

Mine is the 2 screw model, and you can definitely see the gear/pump torque.

I can "feel" how to avoid it(the knurled pins grabbing in the drive wheel as you move forward), but it shouldn't be a problem that you even have to think about.

Definite design flaw.

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by xxryu139xx » March 14th, 2012, 10:32 pm

Well 1st time using mine today. It wasn' t very easy to push it with alot of resistance with the right wheel. Also i didn't receive the two other nozzles and the rubber grip was damaged. I have to contact the amazon reseller tomorrow and see if i can exchange it or if earthway will send me the mizzing nozzles.

Is that resistance to the right wheel normal? I find that i really need to push down and forward for it to start spraying decently.

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by Michael Wise » March 14th, 2012, 10:42 pm

Left wheel free spins, right wheel drives the pump.

I just got mine, so don't really know what normal is. Mine wasn't real hard to push, and I don't think it should be.

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by MorpheusPA » March 15th, 2012, 1:59 am

Mine's not especially hard to push, no--when nearly empty it's not appreciably harder than pushing my spreader.

I wonder if they altered the gearing ratio?

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by xxryu139xx » March 15th, 2012, 7:50 am

i would imagine that driving it forward is about the same resistance as winding up the wheels on one of those old wind-up toy race cars. i may have a defective unit..


well i called the reseller and they are sending me a replacement, but they weren't sure if it comes with the extra nozzles. another phone call to earthway and i was told that every model comes with the extra models and they would be glad to send me the nozzles for free. so i'm gonna wait for the new one to come before i take advantage of their offer. i'm not about to let a $250 piece of equipment go to waste, if it was an el cheapo spreader then i won't even go through all the trouble.

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by MorpheusPA » March 15th, 2012, 1:57 pm

Yep, that's a good analogy--I had one of those race cars! Still do, I think. It's perhaps not even quite that hard, but since you're using your back instead of your arm, maybe that's not correct.

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by Michael Wise » March 19th, 2012, 3:19 pm

Well, my calibration worked out to dang near 1 gallon per 1000 with the medium nozzle on the highest setting. I'll try again on a different day and see if it comes out the same. I bet it will. :)

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by jason » March 19th, 2012, 8:41 pm

BUYER BEWARE

I just experienced the same issue as Lawndog described here.

Cheap ace plastic bracket attached to the frame that holds the gear box broke. Purchased from Northern tool in August 2011. Lifetime total under 30 gallons pumped. Very frustrating... in hindsight would not have purchased this expensive piece of equipment. Will try my luck with Earthway customer support/warranty...

Had about a gallon done before it broke. Finished the other 4 gallons with a 2 gallon spray pump. 10 more gallons to go tomorrow... not going to be fun.

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by Michael Wise » March 19th, 2012, 9:15 pm

What happens when it breaks? Does it allow the pump to rotate with the axle?

I think I see a fix.

That's stupid to have to mod a new sprayer, though. I just want to find a way to make it work because there isn't another walk behind sprayer at this price point. Maybe the cheap price point is the problem.

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by jason » March 19th, 2012, 9:38 pm

When the bracket breaks the pump becomes detached and thrusts forward with the turn of the wheel into the nozzle and passed the bottom of the sprayer. Wouldn't be surprised if my nozzle is damaged along with the tubing which got stretched pretty good.

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Re: Earthway S15 Sprayer Review

Post by Michael Wise » March 19th, 2012, 9:42 pm

Gotcha. Let us know how it goes with Earthway.

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