RL Flow-Master Model 1002H, 2 Gallon Tank Sprayer (vs. FLO.MASTER 3 Gallon)
Written: Jan 17 '09 (Updated Oct 29 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Durable, Easy to carry, Pressure Relief Valve, Flexible Wand, O-Ring Seal.
Cons: An exhausting Trial to pressurize, No Spray Filter allows constant clogging of the tips.
The Bottom Line: 3 Spray nozzles. O-Ring Cures Flat Seal problems but still tends to leak air. Inlet and pump tend to collect debris that clogs. Wand lacks filter. (Carry a straight pin)
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| ASourdough4's Full Review: Flo Master, 3 Gallon Polyethylene Sprayer with Bun... |
10/28/09: Update, thanks to my lovely Companion's suggestion, I can take my pump sprayer out into the Elysian Fields with no fear of clogging. I carry a straight pin that is impaled into a small block of styrofoam. When a clog occurs, the nozzle can be cleared in a trice. This pump sprayer may last for years.
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Not the cure-all I had hoped for but acceptable for the price.
(--- Illustration is correct, 3, 2, & 1 Gallon Models Shown)
RL Flow-Master Model 1002H, 2 Gallon Tank Sprayer
SKU #0 26156-91226 4
(vs. FLO.MASTER 3 Gallon)
The RL in the brand name stands for
Root-Lowell Manufacturing Co. Lowell, MI
1-800-253-4642
www.RLflomaster.com
A Two-Fer Review comparing one design to another by same company.
THE PROBLEM
Invasive and persistent weeds had overrun an acre or so of our hillside lot downwind from the house and hot Summer (SANTANA or Devil) winds dried this cover into a wildfire hazard.
Two years ago, I began pulling the plants by hand but there was a mix of other weeds such as Bull Thistle; which are impossible to pull when the soil is dry and hard. An ancient and broken Pump Sprayer did not help so I was in the market for a new one. Because of the large area affected and its distance from a water supply, I opted for a 3 gallon model* but replaced it, after one troubled use, with a better quality 2 gallon Model, which is the subject of this review.
FEATURES
2 Gallon for a 16 pound burden. A good compromise choice.
16” Tough plastic, not easily bent, metal tubing wand.
42” Reinforced plastic hose
Well designed trigger (flow control) mechanism
Pressure relief valve
Clever Carrying Handle
Strong clasp in handle, wand snaps into it
Smaller diameter pump assembly.
Molded holes in top of tank, for carrying strap (not included)
--- The clever handle design has a molded channel that engages the sprayer handle; the whole can be used as a somewhat awkward spray gun. I found that a bit too clumsy (Remember “Flit” ?).
WHAT WENT WRONG?
Yesterday, I wanted to spray some weed seedlings (Scotch Broom) that sprout by the hundreds** in the first heat of Spring. I located the herbicide, grabbed the sprayer and mixed up a batch of deadly herbicide. Stepping out of the workshop, I thought to pressurize and pumped for about 100 strokes. No pressure. Hmm. This was the second time I had used that Tank Type Sprayer from Home Depot. It was the second time for the pressurization failure. In September 2008, I had goobered (i.e. Lubricated) the seal between tank and pump with Vaseline and that made it work, albeit poorly. Then came the Winter rains; which put a stop to such silliness. (The spray did its duty.)
I took the thing apart, examined it for air leaks, nothing OBVIOUSLY wrong. Retry, Fail.
Retry. This time, I heard a distinct "Bronx Cheer" sound from that seal area. It was taunting me.
Back to the store.
Anxiety while witnessing the strange things people return...
Wait, Wait, Things continue to go awry up front. ...
I hand over the recalcitrant product and my receipt.
"Your purchase was more than 90 days ago."
"Yes, this is the second use."
"Let me call management."
(Clerk attempts to call for help - no dice, she decides to get rid of the problem herownself. And she does.)
"Would you like to exchange or get a refund."
(Magic Words that Home Depot has been using lately.)
"I have a gallon of poison mix in a Very Expensive Pyrex Container, waiting for me to return with a sprayer that works."
"You may want to see if you can find another."
I wanted to do that and I did. I found that several pump sprayers on display had something in common: all used the same flat gasket material used in the 3 Gallon model. Then, I found what I thought was a competing company design, one that used an O-Ring for the seal. (I test things empirically, I opened the carton and took the pump assembly apart.)
It was a different make or brand, or so I thought. So, I lugged the "New and Improved" Sprayer to the Clerk, who gave me a credit and refund for half the price of the failed unit. I was somewhat elated.
Assembly was by intuitive examination and easily followed instructions; Presto!
Pour, install pump assembly, pump-pump-pump - - Ah! Resistance!
The derned thing was going to WORK! And it did.
WHAT WENT RIGHT?
Not suspecting anything, my new prize differed right where it mattered: It was a new and improved product that used a modern O-Ring, instead of the cheaper flat stamped gasket meant for high pressure sealing. APPLAUSE!
Hey, wait a minute. Why do those nozzle tips look so familiar? Red, Black, Yellow. Hmm. Why, these are interchangeable! (I had forgotten to collect them when I dashed away across the county to the returns counter.)
Hey! What goes on here? I inspected the two "Owners' Manuals (I had also forgotten to return the first 'manual' - HONEST!) and saw a teeny-weeny "rl" in the newer company logo. It was a bygosh different product by the SAME company. There was more: The diameter was smaller and the O-Ring commensurately smaller. What's more, it worked. So those people must have discovered the flaw and fixed it in some models. (Those blow-molding dies cost a fortune to make and, once hardened, difficult to correct flaws.)
MARKETING 301
SO! Step right up and demand the O-Ring design or step right over to Sears*** if you are not sure. (Don't fail to see for yourself if the Sears model uses an O-Ring Seal. Take it apart. Make them nervous. Make yourself happy.)
Whatever happened to that good ol' Flit Gun?
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NOTES:
* The 3 Gallon version was a special design, molded in bright “Home Depot” brand orange plastic.
** If it rains.
*** This capsule adventure sheds some light on why Home Depot has been humbled lately. I thought that both "RL" and "rl" are captive brands but I have discovered that other brands sold at Sears (Hudson, OSH) use the same design features. And include the same troublesome mix of flat plastic gaskets or O-Rings. The models made in Bright Orange Color have to be for Home Depot but I am dismayed to observe such a flimsy reason for doubling the price.
© Maurice McDonell 2009
Recommended:
Yes
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ASourdough4
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Member: Maurice McDonell
Location: Above Beautiful Napa Valley
Reviews written: 200
Trusted by: 193 members
About Me:
July-2009 Gone to the Wide World of Wireless. Still reading and rating. Mostly elsewhere.
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