RS18A - 18 Litre

Special features of the RS185A sprayer:

• Ergonomically formed shut-off valve
• EPDM seals giving high resistance to base products
• Filling cap with integrated measuring cup and captive loop
• Large base giving a safe footing even on an uneven surface
• Extra large opening for easy filling
• Compression pump lever can be installed on left or right side

(Note: Unlike our RS125 and RS185 models, this alkaline sprayer does not include a pressure gauge due to potential chemical compatibility)

Product Specification

• Empty Unit Weight: 5kg
• Maximum Operating Pressure: 6 BAR (87 psi)
• Tank Fill Capacity: 18 litres
• Total Tank Capacity: 20 litres
• Tank Ullage: 2 litres
  
• pH Range: 7 - 14*
  
• Filling: Integrated filling cap with filter
• Tank Material: Polypropylene
• Carry Position: Back (70mm padded shoulder carrying straps & back padding)
• Maximum Flow: 1.4 litres/min @ 6 BAR
• Hose Length: 1.5-metres reinforced with fabric insert
• Lance: Plastic 500mm, chemical resistant
• Nozzle: Flat jet, chemical resistant
• Seals: EPDM that are resistant to solvents and is mainly resistant to base products (alkaline). Generally, EPDM does not have a high resistance to polycarbon based oils and to fuels.

• 20 years spare parts supply GUARANTEED
• Mounting bracket on both sides for spray shield
• Pump lever can be fitted for either left or right handed operation
• Extra large filling opening

*We recommend a full compatibility test with aggressive chemical solutions. If unsure then send us the safety data sheet (MSDS) for the product you wish to use and we will check compatibility and recommend an alternative sprayer if necessary.

Resistance Guide

This will give you an indication of the chemical resistance of this sprayer. Next to each item you will see either YES (resistant), CON (conditionally resistant) or NO (unsuitable). This is only a guide but if you can't see the chemical you plan to use or have any questions then please just contact us.

Acids

• Acetic Acid (maximum 10%): YES
• Silicic Acid: YES
• Peracetic Acid (maximum 6%): NO
• Phosphoric Acid (maximum 30%): YES
• Nitric Acid (maximum 10%): CON
• Hydrochloric Acid (maximum 10%): NO
• Aulphuric Acid (40%): NO

Alcohol

• Butanol: YES
• Ethanol: YES
• Methanol: YES
• Isobutanol: YES
• Isporopanol: YES

Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

• Decane: NO
• N-Heptane: NO
• N-Butane: NO

Aromatic Hydrocarbons

• Naphtha: NO
• Toluol (maximum 40%): NO
• Xylene: NO
• Heptaphene: NO

Oils

• Diesel: NO
• Kerosene: NO
• Mineral Oil: NO
• Petroleum Spirit: NO
• Concrete Release Agent: NO

Alkalines

• Acetone: CON
• Ammonia: CON
• Sodium Carbonate: YES
• Sodium Hydroxide (maximum 30%): YES
• Potassium Hydroxide: YES
• Sodium Hypochorite (maximum 12.5%): NO

Various

• Weed Control: YES
• Moss KIller: CON
• Forestry: CON
• Release Agents: CON
• Lawn Care: YES
  

Our Review

Overview

The Mesto RS185A has an 18-litre capacity white, polypropylene tank and has a 6 BAR maximum spraying pressure which gives a maximum flow rate of 1.4 litres per minute with the supplied nozzle.

Initial Impressions, Packaging, and Sprayer Manual

Upon opening the sprayer box, the first thing I find is an instruction manual. Quite some instruction manual it is too; over 125 pages of instructions and pictures. Okay, so only 8 of the pages are in English but it is still nice to get an instruction manual that gives you plenty of information. As this is a new model, you also get an extra couple of pages in addition to the manual. These give an outline of the EPDM seals and how the sprayer can be used which is, obviously, different to the other sprayers within the RS range that are fitted with FPM seals for acidic chemicals. The manual tells you pretty much everything you need to know, from a welcome message and safety notices through technical information, assembly instructions, care and maintenance information as well as a faults guide. Putting the manual to one side it's time to have a look at the sprayer. Everything is nicely packed around the tank so removing the sprayer from the box simply requires removing the sprayer hose and with a gentle pull on the handle, the tank lifts easily from the box. My first impression of the sprayer is that it feels substantial and looks good. Likewise the hose and various handles and plastic lance. The next step is to assemble it.

Sprayer Assembly

I have a skim through the manual and everything seems straightforward enough. The shoulder straps are already fitted to the tank so there are only five parts to put together. How hard could it be? Not hard at all especially when you find the plastic bag inside the sprayer that holds a couple of small fittings. Please don’t forget these as you can’t assemble parts of the sprayer without them.

The first thing I do is attach the hose to the handle and tank. Remember to slip the locking threads onto the hose before doing this. The 1.5 metre hose looks and feels like it could take some real battering. It has a much sturdier feel than many hoses that I have seen with other sprayers, and my impression of the hose matches my overall impression of the sprayer itself. I fit the hose to the sprayer handle in a matter of seconds, but I do find pushing the hose onto the tank fitting to be a little tricky. However, a few extra seconds of pushing and the sprayer hose slips into place. If you find the hose a little hard to push onto the fittings, softening the ends of the hose by dipping them into hot water for a few seconds will help. The spray lance is then fitted to the handle and assembly is nearly finished. The only thing left to do is to fit the pump lever. This can be fitted to either the left or right side of the tank (for left or right-handed people) and comes in two pieces, with a small extension that is pushed into the main pump lever and allows the lever to be set at a length that best suits the operator, with three options to choose from. The main pump lever is fitted to the tank by simply pushing it into a hole at the base of the tank and fitting a locking pin. Once again, you also have a choice of three settings giving you a width to suit the operator. I find this locking pin a bit of a pain to fit, but that is mainly because I am trying to do it in very poor light. Once I move so that I can see something, I manage to line up the holes and the securing pin slips into place.

Assembly only takes a couple of minutes. Obviously, I have put sprayers together before, but I have found the RS range of knapsack sprayers to be some of the easiest I have done. The manual is there to help, although I found the drawings easier than the written instructions.

Sprayer Use

The tank has a 140mm wide neck which makes filling easy. The bright yellow lid is easy to open and close, and there is a plastic filter in the neck which is easy to remove if not needed. I would, however, recommend leaving it in place so that nothing can be poured into the tank that could block the nozzle when spraying. So, with the tank filled, I put the sprayer onto my back. The padded shoulder straps ensure that the sprayer is very comfortable and sits well. Just a little word of advice, the straps need to be clipped to the base of the tank before you can wear it. There is plenty of adjustment in the straps, so all shapes and sizes should be well accommodated.

All that is left is to do some spraying.

FAQ and Reviews

Can this sprayer be used with all types of alkaline cleaners?

We can't guarantee that this sprayer is compatible with any type of liquid just because it is alkaline. Please remember that it is not just the pH that determines which sprayer can be used but the active ingredients. We therefore recommend that if there is any uncertainty then send us the safety data sheet (MSDS) for the product you wish to use and we will check compatibility. If the product is not compatible then we will recommend an alternative sprayer for you.

What does Tank Ullage mean?

Ullage is the name given to the gap between the maximum fill and the total tank capacity. It is important with sprayers as the larger the ullage is then the more space there is for compressed air. The more compressed air you have then the longer spraying time you have before you run out of pressure. Given the design of a knapsack sprayer the ullage is not as important as with a compression sprayer which is why, generally, knapsack sprayers will have a smaller ullage to tank capacity ration than a compression sprayer.

Can this sprayer be used with your long telescopic lances?

Yes. This sprayer can be used with both our 2.5 metre, 3.2 metre and 5.4-metre telescopic lances. We have included these lances in the accessories list and they include any required connectors.

What guarantee do I get with this sprayer?

You get a full 12 months with mechanical breakdowns so, providing that the sprayer is being used as intended, then if something snaps you tell us and we replace the part for you. If it's damage caused by a chemical compatibility issue then we will cover the damage providing that we have confirmed the chemical compatibility with the sprayer. When it comes to the availability of spares, this is guaranteed for 20 years from the date of purchase.