I purchased one of these as it had a handy accessory that reduced overspray from the nozzle.
Sorry link doesn’t work, try the old copy/paste.
www.bunnings.com.au/nylex-5l-shoulder-garden-sprayer_p2962002
It is different from other sprayers I have used in that the area around the filler neck has a molded mini funnel around it. At first fill you think that’s a good idea as any drips of chemical that spill when adding can simply be rinsed away into the bottle when the water is added. Then when you go to refill or rinse the bottle after use you realise that when the plunger is unscewed and “cracked” if there is any residual pressure in the bottle it blasts droplets straight back at your hand or face if you are leaning over it.
Found 3 similar Nylex sprayers one is a 5 litre one
an 8 litre one similar to the 5 litre
The other is an 8 litre one that has the word shoulder in the description
All have the cupping around the pump section. Agree that any liquid in the section could blow back if there was pressure still in the tank on removal of the pump section.
In the instance described more than a minor problem, as one of the high risks with herbicides and pesticides is getting them in your eyes.
Typically the instructions that come with all similar pressure spraying equipment and the chemical products warn of the hazard, and direct the wearing of suitable protective eye wear.
Although such advice is intended to guard against unintended events.
If the observation is repeatable should the product be on the shelf?
Nylex may suggest that failure by the user to depressurise the sprayer as intended using the little red button on the relief fitting is the real cause of the observed hazard.
I sometimes forget or assume it is ok on our older styled sprayers. There is a gentle hiss of air/vapours but no spray. I do wonder how liquid accumulates at the neck of the new design to create a spray effect. Is there another defect with the product that causes liquid to accumulate around the filler and neck of the slide pump?
P.s.
I prefer to use a different type of sprayer as the pump seal in the cylinder of the vertical pump design can leak. From new or with age product gets on the upper side and is raised up to the top where it froths or leaks out.
There is a pressure release valve on the upper part of the canister which, when pulled, will release any residual pressure before tbe ‘plunger’ is unscrewed. This will solve the problem of the chemical droplets you are having.
Rinsing off any spillage before sealing the pump section may leave some residue behind in the depression. It just isn’t a great design to avoid this issue. Sprayers from other providers don’t have this and they would not retain any liquid at the pump area, and when they were rinsed off in the case of spillage all the liquid would drain from that area.
The problem being for those who forget to carry out the pressure release. I think they need to design for that type of occurrence when someone does forget or when inadequate pressure release has been undertaken by the user (ie they released pressure but enough is still retained to cause blow back). Others obviously have not designed the neck of the bottle/container this way and perhaps have done so for the very reason of erring on the side of caution first.
It’s also a design feature that adds cost to the production line. A guess would be it came out of a marketing think tank as a way to differentiate the product. Built in convenience.
The competitors may have considered it too risky as per @grahroll comments, or simply decided against the added cost of such a feature. Perhaps the Nylex design team saw no issue in their assessment of the hazard.
As always handling and using herbicides etc needs consideration and safety based caution. Users need confidence the sprayers sold are free of hidden hazards.
Nylex may not be alone in putting marketing convenience ahead of users safety?
There are a number of pressure sprayers in the market that come with a handy measuring cup. It is stored in the tank before putting the cap on the filler neck. The outside of the cup is subsequently covered in the mixed herbicide or pesticide or ???
While it sometimes serves as a baffle to minimise product accumulating around the filler and cap seal, it is far from practical as a measuring cup. One more item to wash outside as well as inside and triple rinse before using.
Yes the pressure in the bottle can be released by activating the relief valve or by holding the wand trigger. I used the relief valve yesterday and audibly thought it had equalised before unscrewing but still had enough pressure to blow some droplets on my sleeve. In future I’ll try leaving the wand trigger locked open for 5 plus minutes.
As far how does the fluid get in position to blow back I think there are two means. Obviously fluid on top of the screw assembly in the funnel but also I think it can be trapped in the threaded section.
Possibly a big improvement would be a deflection flange on the plunger assembly that will allow the gas to escape around the outside of flange but stop direct flow upward from the threaded section.
We have a 5L Hozelock with a similar design (ours is similar to this photo)…the opening of the canister being enlarged like a funnel to reduce spilling when filling…it also has a pressure release (blue in colour) on the top of the vessel. There are other brands (Yates, OzDingo, STIHL etc) which were also similar and have a funnel type opening.
When filling the canister with water, it is easy to wash the ‘funnel’ to ensure that there is no free chemical or other materials within the funnel. When releasing the plunger, even if all the pressure is not fully released, the only aerosols should then be water.
I am in favour of the funnel type tops. About a decade ago I had a work one (for equine influenza biosecurity control) that had a relatively small opening and often when filling (especially in windy weather, uneven ground or in a hurry) it was nearly impossible to keep the chemical stream in the opening, resulting in chemical flowing to the outside of the canister. In the field we often didn’t have excess water to wash the canister and we could only wipe of the residues (fortunately it was only a disinfectant and not something nastier). I would rather follow the protocol of releasing pressure rather than potential chemical residues on the outer of the canister or soaking into the straps. The later could pose significant WH&S issues.
The product is still indexed in Google search results, but has been removed or relocated on the Bunnings site. It makes me question about whether the problems identified have caused it to be quietly removed from sale, or perhaps it is something else entirely.
In any case, I hope you took it back to the store @Geoff2. If you’re persevering, it would be helpful to us if you could grab a little video of the problem and share it with us. Good luck sorting it out.
My search (insert “sprayer” into search box on the Bunnings homepage) still shows the item as normal. I’m persisting with it as I really like the spray containment accessory. Currently working on a fix in my spare time so I’ll post some pics in near future.
I have a Nylex 5 litre shoulder sprayer and have a broken spring in the pressure release valve. I have contacted Nylex and they have told me that a. they do NOT stock the valve even though it is a recognised part and b. they do not stock stock the spring in the event that it rusts up (as mine did) and breaks. The sprayer is just out of warranty and the only option is to buy a NEW sprayer and use the old one for parts. There is nothing wrong with the sprayer that I have except for the broken spring. Can anyway suggest where I can obtain a suitable spring or an alternative (other than buying a new sprayer)?
Do you know want the spring looks like as it should be possible to get a similar spring online or from a spring supplier if it is not something unusual? If you know the springs dimensions, it will make it easier to find a replacement.
Even some hardware stores have an assortment of standard springs, like say Bunnings. Also check eBay as well.
I agree about replacing the spring as there is enough waste in the world than creating more. Unfortunately many items are considered disposable by manufacturers as it is cheaper to throw away a broken one, than to fix it.
Hi @Wickedtatz.
Hope you find the community a rewarding experience.
You might look on line for a repair parts kit.
Assuming this is the one fir your model?
Surprisingly Hills offers a full kit, although not much cheaper than a sprayer? You may find it cheaper on line elsewhere.
I’d be cautious of using anything other than a genuine spring. The little valve assembly is intended to relieve excess pressure from the sprayer. A different spring may leak if too soft or cause other problems if too strong/stiff.
Been there and experienced that, but for the few cents I paid for some assorted springs I did get one that worked with some trial and error. Many fit, only one worked right.
I live in a village 35 kilometres from Eden and the only place that sells Sprayers is Mitre 10, and they are expensive. Can you refer me to someone who can supply assorted springs as you have suggested on line?
Some years ago when I needed a small spring which I could not get at Bunnings, I bought some from a local automotive business, Allied Bearings in Cairns, who stock many items such as grommetts, seals, springs and such like as well as automative spare parts and tools.
You may find what you need at such a business in your area for a very small outlay.
Jaycar Electronics, ebay, and ABACUS Educational all have 200 spring sets but all are about $20+shipping. Probably not cost effective.
As @Fred123 noted an auto parts shop might have what you need. Look on their miscellaneous parts rack if the staff do not have a clue, and they might not since they go by make and model and application, not including garden sprayers The better auto parts shops should also have a small cabinet full of ‘odd’ springs where you might find something that works. Another possibility is if you have a specialist fastener shop - they should have lots of small springs, but this is suburban Melbourne not a small village away from Eden. Also try a small engine repair shop (motor mowers, etc).
The better auto parts shops should also have a small cabinet full of ‘odd’ springs where you might find something that works. Another possibility is if you have a specialist fastener shop - they should have lots of small springs, but this is suburban Melbourne not a small village away from Eden. Also try a small engine repair shop (motor mowers, etc).