Applying chemicals, fertilizers, or weed control across large properties requires a quality backpack sprayer.
Field King’s Max and Professional models both provide robust, high-capacity spraying for acreages and commercial uses, with key differences in features and capabilities.
This detailed comparison examines how the Max and Pro backpack sprayers stack up to help you pick the best option for your property care and landscaping needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
Feature | Field King Max | Field King Professional |
Tank Capacity | 4 gallons | 5 gallons |
Pump Type | Diaphragm | Diaphragm |
Max Pressure | 80 psi | 100 psi |
Nozzle Type | Adjustable brass | Industrial flat fan |
Straps | Padded | Padded |
Dry Weight | 17 lbs | 21 lbs |
Warranty | 1 year | 2 years |
Overview of the Field King Max
The Field King Max backpack sprayer provides a large 4-gallon tank and wide spray coverage for managing up to 5 acres efficiently.
Key features:
- The Field King Max backpack sprayer features a substantial 4-gallon tank, which allows for longer periods of use before refilling. This makes it an efficient choice for users with medium-sized areas to cover, ensuring that you can manage up to 5 acres effectively without frequent stops.
- Equipped with a high-flow diaphragm pump, the sprayer can maintain consistent pressure and ensure an even and reliable spray pattern. This pump is designed to handle a variety of chemicals, providing versatility in applications.
- The adjustable brass nozzle is a key feature, allowing users to modify the spray pattern to suit different applications and achieve optimal coverage. The durable brass construction ensures longevity and resistance to corrosion.
- Padded straps and a waist belt are incorporated to enhance user comfort, especially during prolonged use. These features help distribute the weight of the sprayer evenly, reducing fatigue and strain.
- A built-in pressure gauge and regulator enable users to maintain accurate control over the pressure, ensuring precise application and preventing over-spraying or under-spraying of chemicals.
- The Field King Max incorporates Viton seals, known for their excellent chemical resistance. This ensures the sprayer’s compatibility with a variety of chemicals and contributes to its durability.
- Weighing 17 pounds when empty, the sprayer is relatively lightweight, making it manageable for most users. It also comes with a 1-year limited warranty, offering protection and peace of mind.
With its robust pump, sizable tank, and brass nozzle, the Max is built to cover ground quickly and evenly.
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Overview of the Field King Professional
The Field King Professional represents the top of the line for Field King sprayers with extra capacity and pro-grade components.
Key attributes:
- The Field King Professional sprayer boasts a large 5-gallon tank, which offers extra capacity for handling larger areas. This is particularly useful for professional users who require a more substantial volume for extensive applications.
- Featuring a heavy-duty diaphragm pump, the Field King Professional can achieve higher pressures and offer greater durability. It is well-suited for demanding applications and can withstand regular, intensive use.
- The sprayer is equipped with an industrial flat fan nozzle, designed to provide full and even coverage. This type of nozzle is particularly effective for achieving uniform application of chemicals across a wide area.
- For enhanced comfort, the sprayer features thick padded straps and a belt. These design elements help in evenly distributing the weight across the user’s body, reducing the risk of fatigue during extended periods of use.
- The inclusion of a pressure regulator and an analog gauge allows users to easily monitor and adjust the pressure to suit different applications. This ensures accurate and efficient spraying, optimizing the use of chemicals.
- Like the Field King Max, the Professional model also features chemical-resistant Viton parts. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of chemicals and enhances the overall durability and longevity of the sprayer.
- The Field King Professional weighs 21 pounds when empty, reflecting its larger capacity and robust build. Despite the added weight, the comfort features help in managing the load. Additionally, it comes with a 2-year limited warranty, offering added assurance and support for users.
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Key Differences Between Field King Max and Professional
While the Max and Professional share heavy duty designs and large tanks, the Professional model enhances performance and durability for intensive commercial use:
1. Tank Capacity
The Field King Professional model boasts a larger tank capacity of 5 gallons, which is a significant upgrade over the 4-gallon tank in the Max model.
This additional gallon allows for less frequent refilling, which is especially beneficial for large-scale spraying tasks. It reduces downtime and enhances productivity, particularly important in commercial settings where time efficiency is crucial.
2. Pump and Pressure
The Professional model is equipped with a superior diaphragm pump that can generate up to 100 PSI pressure, a noticeable improvement over the 80 PSI offered by the Max model.
This higher pressure output is advantageous for achieving a more extensive reach and ensuring that the spray penetrates dense foliage or other challenging environments.
This feature is especially useful for professionals dealing with varied terrains and vegetation types, requiring optimal spray power.
3. Nozzles
A key distinction between the two models is in the nozzle design. The Professional model utilizes an industrial fan tip nozzle, which offers fuller and more powerful spraying capabilities. In contrast, the Max model comes with an adjustable brass nozzle.
The industrial fan tip is ideal for covering larger areas more efficiently and is designed to withstand the rigors of commercial use, making it a preferred choice for users seeking enhanced performance and durability.
4. Weight
With enhanced features and build, the Professional model is understandably heavier, weighing in at 21 empty pounds compared to the Max’s 17 pounds.
This additional weight is a trade-off for the robustness and advanced capabilities of the Professional model. Users seeking a balance between portability and performance may need to consider this difference, particularly when dealing with extensive areas or long-duration tasks.
5. Warranty
Field King offers a more reassuring 2-year limited warranty on the Professional sprayer, indicative of its confidence in the model’s durability and reliability for intensive commercial use.
This is a step up from the 1-year warranty provided for the Max model. The extended warranty period provides users with additional peace of mind, especially those using the sprayer in demanding conditions.
6. Cost
Reflective of its advanced features, improved build quality, and enhanced performance, the Professional model comes with a higher price tag compared to the Max model.
While the initial investment is greater, the long-term benefits such as reduced downtime, better coverage, and extended warranty could justify the additional cost for users, particularly those in commercial sectors requiring reliable and high-performing equipment.
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Pros and Cons of the Field King Max
Pros
- Large 4 gallon tank capacity
- Adjustable brass nozzle for variable spray
- Generates up to 80 PSI pressure
- Padded straps for comfort during use
- Viton seals stand up to chemicals
- Much lower cost than Professional
- Lighter weight than other heavy duty sprayers
Cons
- Not as robust for daily commercial use
- Max pressure lower than other Pro models
- Nozzle isn’t optimized for full coverage
- Only a 1 year limited warranty
- Not the most ergonomic to wear all day
Pros and Cons of the Field King Professional
Pros
- High 5 gallon tank volume reduces refills
- Max 100 PSI pressure rating
- Industrial fan nozzle for uniform full coverage
- Heavy duty pump with Viton seals
- Thick padded straps help carry the load
- 2 year limited warranty protection
- Built for intensive large property care
Cons
- Much higher price tag than Max
- Heavier than other 4-5 gallon capacity sprayers
- Overkill features for homeowners
- Requires strength and stamina to carry
- Not as versatile as adjustable nozzle
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A typical 3-5 gallon backpack sprayer like the Field King models equates to about 11-19 litres of fluid capacity. Smaller hobby sprayers may be 5-10 litres, while commercial rigs could hold 20+ litres.
With a 4-5 gallon capacity sprayer, expect to cover around 5,000-10,000 square feet per tank depending on your pressure, nozzle settings, and walking speed. Wider fan nozzles cover more ground than narrow concentrations.
Common backpack sprayer tank sizes are: Small: 1-3 gallons, Medium: 3-4 gallons, Large: 4-5+ gallons. Many homeowners and landowners find 3-5 gallon capacity ideal for managing up to 5 acres efficiently.
Field King backpack sprayers are manufactured by Agri-Fab Inc., which is based in Wisconsin and makes various lawn and garden care equipment. They provide a range of specialty sprayers and spreaders for homeowners and agriculture.
Final Thoughts
When choosing between the Field King Max and Professional, the Pro model’s extra capacity, pressure, robust construction, and warranty justify the higher price for those spraying acres daily.
But the Max provides ample power and coverage for the average homeowner at a more appealing price point. Considering your property scale, usage intensity, and budget will dictate which Field King backpack sprayer is the best fit.