Important Considerations When Buying A Turf Sprayer

A turf sprayer may only be used for a few hours each week, but those hours can have a considerable effect on the quality of your playing surfaces. Uneven application, awkward controls or time spent clearing blocked nozzles can soon outweigh a saving on the purchase price.

The right choice starts with your turf, your workload and the vehicle that will carry it.

Start with the power unit

A tractor-mounted sprayer makes good use of an existing compact tractor, while a demountable sprayer on a turf truck can provide a convenient combination for golf course work. Neither is automatically the better option: much depends on access, ground conditions and what else the vehicle needs to do.

Check the tractor’s lifting capacity or truck’s payload against the fully laden sprayer, allowing for the operator and other equipment. Every litre of water adds approximately one kilogram, before accounting for the sprayer itself.

Consider weight distribution and stability, particularly on slopes. A tractor may lift a sprayer comfortably yet require front ballast to retain safe steering and balance.

The combined weight also matters on the turf. A larger tank reduces filling stops, but a heavier outfit may limit when you can spray without marking soft ground. Tyre choice and ground pressure deserve as much attention as tank capacity.

Match capacity and boom width to the work

Work out how much ground a tank will cover at your usual application rate. At 300 litres per hectare, a 600-litre tank covers two hectares; at 600 litres per hectare, it covers one.

A wider boom can increase output on open fairways or sports grounds, but may be less convenient around trees, bunkers and irregular boundaries. Consider turning space, access between areas and how well the boom follows the contours. Safety break-back protects against accidental contact, while secure folding is important for transport.

StarGreen sprayers have standard 6m booms, with optional extensions to 8m where greater working width would be useful.

Look closely at the pump and filtration

A low-cost roller-vane pump can help keep the initial price down. For regular professional use, however, a quality diaphragm pump is a strong consideration: its diaphragms separate the spray liquid from the mechanical drive components, helping protect them from abrasive or corrosive formulations. Chemical compatibility and maintenance still matter whichever type you choose.

The pump also needs sufficient output for spraying and agitation together. Good filtration is equally valuable. StarGreen’s three-cylinder diaphragm pumps are supported by basket, suction and individual boom-section filters, helping prevent contamination reaching the nozzles.

Choose controls your team can use confidently

Manual controls offer simplicity and economy, provided they are conveniently accessible. Electric controls bring switching into the cab, making it easier to start and stop spraying accurately at headlands and boundaries.

GPS guidance and automatic section control can reduce misses and overlaps, especially over large or complicated areas. Their value depends on proper setup, and operator training.  If you go for this option, be sure that you have a good local dealer who can provide dependable technical support. 

The StarGreen range offers straightforward manual or electric controls, allowing buyers to choose the convenience they need without committing to a more complex electronic system.

Consider filling and cleaning as carefully as spraying

Features used before and after each job make a substantial difference. Look for a clean water tank for personal washing, a clothing locker for protective equipment, and an accessible induction bowl for introducing products without lifting containers to the main tank opening.

A can wash helps rinse containers into the spray mixture, while an internal tank rinse system makes cleaning more thorough and convenient. These features are included on StarGreen AS Pro and DM Pro models; check individual specifications when comparing smaller entry-level machines.

Buy the extras that earn their place

A foam bout marker provides a visible guide for successive passes. A hose reel and hand lance extend the sprayer’s usefulness around awkward corners and areas beyond the boom’s reach. Wider booms are worthwhile where the site allows you to use them effectively.

With tractor-mounted capacities from 200 to 800 litres and 450- or 700-litre turf-truck models, the British-built StarGreen range provides options for different workloads. Ask your GreenTek dealer to help match the sprayer to your power unit, application rates and ground conditions—so the specification works as well on your turf as it does on paper.

What do they cost?

Prices for the British-built StarGreen sprayers (in 2026) start from under £4,000 for the entry level AS200, and cost around £5,500 to £8,000 for the AS Pro Series with tank capacities from 300 – 800 litres.  The demountable DM range for turf trucks has capacities of 450 and 700 litres and costs around £10,000,

Optional extras cost around £500 for 8m boom extensions, £600 for a hose reel and hand lance, and £1200 for a foam bout marker system.

Frequently asked questions about turf sprayers

What size sprayer do I need for a golf course or sports ground?

Calculate capacity from the area you need to treat and your required water application rate. Multiply hectares by litres per hectare: two hectares at 300 litres per hectare requires 600 litres of spray mixture. Then consider filling time, access and how much weight your tractor or turf truck can safely carry. A larger tank saves filling stops, but is only useful if the vehicle and ground conditions suit it.

Can I fit a turf sprayer to my existing tractor or utility vehicle?

Often, yes, provided the combination is compatible. Check the tractor’s lifting capacity or the truck’s payload, the mounting arrangement and the power supply needed to drive the pump. Use the sprayer’s fully laden weight, allowing for the operator, accessories and any ballast required. Your dealer should confirm suitability for the specific vehicle.

Is a diaphragm pump worth paying extra for?

For regular professional spraying, a quality diaphragm pump is a worthwhile consideration. The diaphragms separate the spray liquid from the mechanical drive components, helping protect them from abrasive or corrosive formulations. Check chemical compatibility, servicing requirements and spare-parts availability too. All StarGreen turf sprayers use three-cylinder diaphragm pumps.

Do I need GPS on a turf sprayer?

GPS guidance and automatic section control can help reduce missed strips and overlapping applications, particularly on large or irregular areas. However, straightforward manual or electric controls can suit many turf operations. Consider your workload, operator confidence and access to training and technical support before investing. Accurate calibration remains important whichever controls you choose.

Do electric controls automatically maintain the application rate?

Not necessarily. Standard electric controls simply switch spraying or individual boom sections on and off from the driving position. Automatic rate control is a separate function that adjusts output as forward speed changes. Ask exactly what the controls do rather than assuming that “electric” means automatic application-rate adjustment.

Will a wider boom always make spraying quicker?

A wider boom reduces the number of passes across open ground, but its advantage can disappear where trees, bunkers, narrow access or tight turns interrupt the work. Choose a width that suits the areas you actually spray, including their contours and obstacles.

What is the difference between a clean water tank and a tank rinse system?

A clean water tank provides a separate supply for personal washing. A tank rinse system helps clean the inside of the main spray tank. An induction bowl introduces products into the mixture, while a can wash rinses product containers into the sprayer. Check each feature individually: one does not replace the others.

Which optional extras are most useful?

A foam bout marker provides a visible guide for successive passes. A hose reel and hand lance allow treatment beyond the boom’s reach, while boom extensions increase working width on suitable sites. Choose extras around regular jobs they will help you complete, rather than adding equipment you are unlikely to use.