Thanks for all the input! The idea of getting a SP has been in my mind for a while, it's just when I put some numbers together it's like, WOW, ok that idea was fun while it lasted. The only tank size I'd consider would be 1,200, being that I have spoiled myself with 1500 right from the start and most of the machines in our area that are in my price range are pretty much done when they get to the $ amount that would work for me. The big tank size is a major thing I consider because 75% of the work I do is 20 gallon work.
Ok so here is where probably most guys are thinking 9,000 acres per year and you have a hard time going to a SP, this is why, the farm which includes My Dad, brother and me were having all the spraying done by a custom applicator, they never did us wrong, always did a good job and so on. But one day I was talking to my dad and brought up the idea of the farm buying a sprayer to keep some money on the farm, why pay someone else, after looking at sprayers and stuff dad asked me if I wanted to buy the sprayer and just do all the farms spraying for custom rates, I own the sprayer, nurse trailer truck and usually have a tractor to use but some times will go rent one if they are all tied up. So having a sprayer payment that will eat up half a years profit just doesn't seem that appealing most of the time.
I could see if we weren't happy with the job the PT was doing, having an extra set of tracks when turning around, it's a little heavier than just a SP maybe leaves some deeper tracks sometimes but not once has dad said he wasn't happy with the job, or me or any of the crop advisors we deal with, so when there is nothing wrong with what I have, just sometimes a SP would be nice.
Just wanted to get some thoughts from others on what they thought, how many acres guys are covering with a PT, how many was to many with a PT and at what point do you start to be less efficient by not having a SP.
