What do I need to spray thistles from a quad bike sprayer?

[Becs]

Im thinking that it'd be good to be able to buy a sprayer for my quad to tackle the thistles but I'm confused as to what course I need to do to be able to do this. Tried looking on line but remain confused - is it the full 2-part qualification that'd I'd need to get? TIA

 

[mushnt grummmble]

You need a quad a sprayer and some thistlex

 

[neilo]

Im thinking that it'd be good to be able to buy a sprayer for my quad to tackle the thistles but I'm confused as to what course I need to do to be able to do this. Tried looking on line but remain confused - is it the full 2-part qualification that'd I'd need to get? TIA

A big of a grey area. You definitely need PA1, but the debate is whether a quad sprayer constitutes a knapsack sprayer, or a boom sprayer. Each would require different certificates these days iirc,
I was told that, if you tape the hand lance to the bike rack, it is a boom sprayer (if needs be).
You'll need a boom sprayer to legally apply Thistlex (as mentioned above), as it has no rec for knapsack use. Surprising how it still works very well if the insulating tape breaks and the handlance comes free though....so I'm told.

 

[multi power]

Pa1 and pa2

 

[Becs]

Thanks. Doing the Pa1 and 2 makes tackling thistles a bit expensive - is there a cheaper way I could do it myself? I've got a knapsack so is there anything legal but effective I could do with that? Last year I got someone in to spray them I was disappointed with the results.

 

[neilo]

Thanks. Doing the Pa1 and 2 makes tackling thistles a bit expensive - is there a cheaper way I could do it myself? I've got a knapsack so is there anything legal but effective I could do with that? Last year I got someone in to spray them I was disappointed with the results.

You need certificates to use a knapsack too, unless you are a 'non-professional' user, and buying watered down, overpriced product from a garden centre.

 

[RAW24]

PA1 and PA6A is needed if spraying with a quad bike sprayer with a single nozzle handlance only otherwise it would be PA2a

 

[Becs]

Well that's a blow! So the Pa 1 would allow me to just use the knapsack then (but not then able to buy Thistlex) but doing the Pa2 as well would allow me to use a sprayer on a quad, and buy Thistlex?

 

[Becs]

Ah, ok - so there's a PA6A option too? Is that a lesser (and cheaper) option than the PA 2?

 

[multi power]

Pa1 is only for handling the chemical
Pa2 for boom sprayer
Pa6 for knapsack
You don't need any certificate to buy the spray, it is however your responsibility to ensure its only used by a suitable qualified person
The merchant selling the spray may well claim otherwise but they will be wrong

 

[andybk]

did mine this year , was about £400 for pa1 and pa6 (bristol uni) pretty easy course , i wouldnt get involved with pa2 unless you intend to put sprayer behind tractor lots of calculations on spray rates etc and more complex test , a simple quad sprayer with one of those wide angle nozzles will do most jobs you need .

 

[Paul E]

You'll need some Thistles as well, don't forget.
If you need some I can supply at very reasonable rates!!

 

[DocPhil001]

I did my pa1 and pa6 last week, even the old man took it! I am going to take my pa2 soon. need to hammer some docks!

 

[milkloss]

Another load of old rubbish. Just go look at the spray drift threads!

Jobs for the boys.

 

[GTB]

Thanks. Doing the Pa1 and 2 makes tackling thistles a bit expensive - is there a cheaper way I could do it myself? I've got a knapsack so is there anything legal but effective I could do with that? Last year I got someone in to spray them I was disappointed with the results.

Some would say JFDI.....













Not me of course, I'd never say that!

 

[Gav]

Ah, ok - so there's a PA6A option too? Is that a lesser (and cheaper) option than the PA 2?

Pa1 is the foundation module covering the legalities and safety side of pesticides. It is the prerequisite for any other Pa spraying qualification in that no other pesticide qualification can be taken until a Pa1 assessment is passed.

Pa6a is for knapsack sprayers, there's also a Pa6aw for aquatic applications, Pa6g for hand held granular applicators and one or two other Pa6 qualifications as well.

Pa2a and Pa6a cost about the same, as already mentioned in this topic though which one you need depends on your application technique.

Out of the two Pa6a is the harder one to pass due to the amount of human input into the spraying operation with pumping speed, walking speed and nozzle carrying height but myself and most other instructors will give you tips on how to keep these consistent during the training day.

 

[biggles]

Does the qualifications last forever or do you have to retest every so many years?

 

[7610 super q]

Jeeezzz, what a palaver. It would be easier trying to hack them out with a blunt screwdriver.

Or do I need a PA 7 to operate a blunt screwdriver...

 

[andybk]

Does the qualifications last forever or do you have to retest every so many years?

for life .(maybe ......) it doesnt get cheaper to take ,

 

[multi power]

Jeeezzz, what a palaver. It would be easier trying to hack them out with a blunt screwdriver.

Or do I need a PA 7 to operate a blunt screwdriver...

No it's pa9 for screwdriver