Solo Backpack Sprayer SU475

A Good Sprayer - but – I purchased this Solo sprayer some years ago and it has served me well. I like the adjustable spray nozzle. However there are some issues which need to be fixed to make it the best on the market. Firstly, the poor quality made shoulder straps lets it down in the overall carrying department - and they aren't cheap to replace. They simply aren't… Read more

robust enough to last very long (had to replace mine after a couple of years when the stitching gave way and they fell apart) and I suspect one of the reasons for this is due to a second problem. There is no separate handle to carry the sprayer by hand from one job to another. This means you need to take hold of the shoulder straps and use these to lift it clear of the ground whilst moving it, if you have no need for it to be on your shoulders! This makes it somewhat difficult to carry by hand at any time, but extremely difficult when the sprayer is full of spray material, (i.e. lifting a full container into the back of a ute tray etc.) Lastly - the small clip which retains the shoulder strap into the top of the spray unit is puny and easily lost in the field - as happened to me when the strap parted company and the clip was lost amongst ground litter.

Overall a good performing sprayer, but overpriced due to lack of attention to the details which really matter!

Cheap hose clamp coming adrift resulting in personal soaking of weed-killer – The Solo backpack sprayer seemed a good idea, but important parts are not up to the job. The hose clamp is a cheap plastic affair with an aggressively threaded screw that easily strips the plastic, the sprayer hose is too short by about 300-450mm and the cheap spray wand is very delicate. Could be good but being cheap in important areas lets it down. Show details

Excellent - has changed my attitude to spraying – Comfortable backpack - well balance and easy to pump. The spray head is great and covers a big swathe. I can now weed spray our 250 metre long gravel driveway with ease. Very simple straightforward design - easy to fill - simple filter, stands up by itself when filling tank. Can't fault it for the price.  Show details

Base of tank join – Have a carpet cleaning business and have used these sprayers for a couple of years. just recently have had 3 split on the bottom along the join, the last one lasted two weeks before coming apart. now they won't replace under warranty. It's only a mild detergent for pre spraying.  Show details

Good unit works as intended. I am happy but – I have used my 475 on a farm with a range of chemicals. If Solo spends another $1-00 during manufacturing, I would have given it an excellent rating. As someone else mentioned, I have also had the plastic hose clamp work loose causing the hose to come off. If this was a metal clamp I doubt it would happen, but if a metal one was used and over… Read more

tightened it could cause the tank fitting to fail.

The second issue is the hose needs to be about 30cm longer.

I would buy another one tomorrow and modify it with my lessons learnt.

A great tool - could only be replaced by another Solo! – My old Solo sprayer died this morning when the frame broke up underneath the tank. I am a viticulturist and I checked the purchase date: It was in 1981! Sounds fair: 34 years. This is one of two Solo knapsack sprayers I have been using, along with a Solo airblast sprayer, which is 15 years old and starts first pull - still!

Only had the thing 8 years! – I can't believe all the negativity. I work with mine day in and day out. My best purchase ever, never lets me down. Like all bits of kit, it needs parts replacing. That is a given! I love my knapsack sprayer, wish my mowers would last as long. I'm a professional gardener. Have been doing this for 15 years. I know what I'm talking about!

475 Excellent – I have worked in natural resource management for many years and have used various knapsacks including Birchmeier, Chapin, Kinchrome etc. In my opinion, Solo 475 is by far the most reliable and comfortable knapsack sprayer. We have multiple units at our workplace and they continue to perform well after 100's of hours use, with very little… Read more

maintenance other than cleaning the filter in tip. Have replaced a broken handle, that's about it. Cheap knapsacks aren't worthwhile, you'll end up covered in herbicide and the unit will be in the bin before too long. I haven't used the Solo domestic units (425D), so can't comment on their quality.