How to Disassemble, Repair and Maintain a Solo Diaphragm Pump Backpack Sprayer | Tips from Gemplers
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- čas přidán 14. 07. 2024
- In this Gemplers video, we’ll share how to disassemble, repair and maintain a Solo Diaphragm Pump sprayer using the repair kit.
Visit Gemplers.com for the Solo® Diaphragm Pump Replacement Repair Kit
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Before you begin, be sure to wear any personal protective equipment required by the pesticide label such as gloves and goggles.
To start, the sprayer should also be flushed with water and pressure should be released. Then, lock the shutoff valve in the open position prior to starting the disassembly.
To disassemble the pump, we’re going to first remove the handle by using a 13mm socket wrench to remove the handle bolts.
Once the handle is removed, lay the sprayer on its back. Loosen the screw securing the hose clamp with a flat head screwdriver or Allen wrench. Remove the sprayer hose.
Now you will remove the bolts on both connecting arms using a 6mm allen wrench…and remove the pump shaft.
Then, use a flathead screwdriver to remove the screw on the retaining ring on the bottom of the pressure cylinder…You can then remove the retaining ring.
With the retaining ring out, set the sprayer upright…Then unscrew the tank lid and remove the filter basket. If your sprayer has a pressure control knob, remove that as well. With those out, push down on the pressure cylinder so that about 1/2” of it is out of the bottom of the tank…Then turn the pump 180 degrees.
Now you’ll remove the 12 torx screws holding the pump together with a flathead or T25 torx screwdriver. After those have been taken out, push down on the pressure cylinder to remove it through the bottom of the tank. If it won’t come out, use a block of wood and mallet to tap it out. Be sure to place a rag or shop towel between the block of wood and the pressure cylinder.
The next step is to remove the screw that holds the diaphragm to the connecting rod using a screwdriver. You can then replace the diaphragm and reattach it to the connecting rod.
We’ll now remove the valve assembly using a special tool from Solo or one that you fabricate on your own. First, remove the red pin holding in the bottom valve plate. This can be done with needle-nose pliers. Then insert the tool into the slots and turn it counter-clockwise to remove it. Replace the O-ring and top valve plate. Push the pin back in to replace the bottom valve plate.
After the pin is back in place, pull the pump housing off the pressure cylinder and replace the O-ring. Lubricate it with petroleum jelly or Solo superior grease. Then replace the O-ring on the pressure cylinder.
Here you will reattach the pump housing to the pressure cylinder. Be sure that the square tab on the pump housing is aligned in the notch.
Now you should lubricate the O-ring on the valve assembly and screw it back into the pressure cylinder. Then lubricate the O-ring on the pressure cylinder and push it back into the tank.
The diaphragm assembly will now go back into the pump housing…Reinstall the flange using the #12 torx screws. Then reattach the retaining ring at the base of the pressure cylinder and tighten the screw.
The next step is to put the pump shaft back in and tighten the bolts for each connecting arm. Then tighten the bolts that attach the lever and stop plate.
Once all the bolts are tightened, replace the hose and tighten the hose clamp and you’ve reassembled your Solo Diaphragm Pump Sprayer.
Before spraying any chemicals, be sure to test the sprayer with water and check for leaks. If there are any leaks, repair them and test the sprayer again.
Thanks for watching, contact us if you have any questions about this or about any of the Gemplers products.
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After hours of trying to get the cylinder out this video helped, but Hubby had to smack super hard getting out ( sledge hammer). Then I saw the comments about hot water because the cylinder would not go back in. The Hot Water trick worked for putting the Cylinder back in. Hubby put tank in utility sink and ran hot water through the opening for a few minutes. Then we poured boiling water on the outside of the opening. The cylinder pushed back in with no trouble at all! Thank you Wendall Heldt!
I found I could warm it up by stuffing a rag bung inthe hole and pouring a jug of boiling water on it. This worked OK.
Got to start by saying my sprayer has many years use, spraying herbicide, stone sealer and deck cleaning mix with bleach. As a do it yourself person, I was confident I could handle this (first) rebuild on my sprayer. I spent 3 or more hours, pitched the thing in the trash & bought a new one. Three key hurdles: 1) getting pressure cylinder out took way more pounding with hammer & wood than I would have dreamed 2) I had to purchase the special Solo tool to get valve out, as using open pliers and my homemade tool wouldn’t turn it, and the deal breaker 3) getting the cylinder to go back into the tank was a bear, and though I succeeded, the new O ring on the cylinder just would not stay in its groove to allow me to properly seat it back into the sprayer. Spent way too long trying to make that happen. I’d say if your sprayer is fairly young and hasn’t had the hard life of mine, maybe try this. If not, go for a new one.
I just replaced the diaphragm in my really old Solo sprayer. Instead of hammering to get the pressure cylinder out of the tank, pour hot water around the outside bottom hole of the tank. Then wiggle and push on the top of the cylinder. The hot water swells the plastic hole on the bottom and makes it slightly larger.
Best advice yet, tried the hot water trick and the cylinder came out easily with a few good hits. Cold, pounding before with a block of wood and hammer to no effect
You, Sir Wendell, are a genius! You are the only person in all the CZcamss I've watched who actually had a cylinder removal idea that worked!
I actually poured a kettleful of boiling water _inside_ the sprayer (which leaked out the bottom because I'd been trying to get the cylinder out using methods described in this video, but that didn't matter), then gave the top of the cylinder a couple of hits with wood and mallet - out it came!
Thanks very much.
This helped so much, thank you! I used a heat gun instead of hot water. I hammered on that thing forever, didn't move. Heat did the trick, but it still wasn't easy!
If only I had read this BEFORE I tried tried hammering the pressure cylinder out of the tank I would have saved myself lots of frustration.
Hi - during disassembly (1.22) - and reassembly you brush over the removal of the pressure control knob located inside the tank on the top of the pressure dome. The issue I had was I was pumping the lever - but no pressure. Turned out, the top had blown off the tiny nipple inside the pressure Control knob. The pressure control knob is the black star fixture located on the top of the pressure dome inside the tank. This unit has 4 settings #1 = 15psi #2 = 30psi #3 = 45psi and #4 = 60psi. This whole unit is simply unscrewed counter-clockwise. The cap is spring loaded and is step turned beyond the lowest setting (1) and comes off. Inside is a spring with a tiny black rubber nipple jammed in the end of the spring. If the pressure gets too high - this nipple can pop if it is old, so releasing all the pressure. There are also 2 'O' rings located on the screw in thread - a large and small, which is what is left over once you have done a full seal kit change.... which turned out to be unnecessary, as it was the pressure control that had popped. The large O ring just sits on the top of the thread and forms a seal between the control knob and the pressure dome - the second smaller O ring sits in the grove at the bottom of the thread that secures the Pressure control.
Thanks a lot for this video. It is very helpful in fixing my knapsack sprayer low pressure problem. From Timothy
Thank you so much for showing me how to fix your defective product and spend more time and money in the process.
To get a stuck cylinder out, see Wendell Heldt's hot water in the comments below 1 year ago. He is the only person in all the CZcamss I've watched who actually had a stuck cylinder removal idea that worked!
I actually poured a kettleful of boiling water _inside_ the sprayer (which leaked out the bottom because I'd been trying to get the cylinder out using methods described in this video, but that didn't matter), then gave the top of the cylinder a couple of hits with wood and mallet - out it came!
Thanks very much Wendell.
Update: Getting the cylinder back in was also ulcer-forming until I poured another kettle-ful in, let it warm up the plastic and gave the cylinder a hefty whack from the bottom.
This is one of the worst bits of "should be simple" design I've come across! Fortunately we have Gempler and Wendell on our side :)
Awesome Video. Explains well the intricacies of the disassembly.
Thanks.
Good info! Made my job easier
I've only just started, but this will be helpful. I was a bit stumped about using a screwdriver to remove the diaphragm itself. What screw? It looks like the screw head on mine rotted off. I used a dremel to carve a slot in what was left of it so I could remove it with a flat head screwdriver. I think i'll have to get a new self tapping screw with the same threads to put it back together.
Great video and the Men explaining does it nice and simple thank you very much.
We're glad you found this video helpful. Let us know if you have any topics you'd like us to cover in a future video.
Thank you first of all for stepping up and showing how to repair. I just used my HD model and while pumping snapped the diaphragm arms that attach to the diaphragm pump arm bolts. Do I need to push down on the diaphragm internally to release before I loosen the bolts (around the diaphragm), or can I take out the diaphragm piece without taking out the whole unit internally? I wish this piece was metal, I did not really pump THAT hard!
Absolutely, we're happy to help! You can remove the diaphragm assembly separately to replace the connecting brackets. For more information on doing so, refer to the service manual on our website:
www.gemplers.com/docs/manual/SoloBPService.pdf
Merci mon reuf mdr
This video was really helpful. I have a couple of suggestions/comments. First: I would use a china or permanent marker to mark where your handle connects to the pump shaft so you can put it back in the same position when you are done. Second: You cannot really do the repair properly without removing the cylinder which does require using a block of wood and hitting it hard. If your sprayer is 20 years old like mine is, I guarantee it won't come out as easy as it does in this video. And if it breaks, well time to buy another brand with easy to replace diaphragms. Also, don't waste your time looking for help on the solo website, their repair guide comes with tiny photos and their video doesn't run.
Yep, mine must about that old now and I've been belting it with the cloth/wood/hammer for the last half hour & still won't come out. I can spin it around & it wobbles but do you think it will pop out. Break out the sledgy ya reckon?;-)
I could not get my cylinder out at all. I may have done damage to it by trying to get it out? When I pump the handle now I get bubbles in the tank. Not good, I will probably be looking for a new sprayer now. Bummer! $100 out the window, I really don't think you need to remove the cylinder if you don't have any leaks?
I had the same problem, belted it with a rubber mallet to no effect.I wonder if I tied a rowel around the base and poured on boiling water whether it would help. Would like to see the spanner used to remove the bottom valve assembly. Would a peice of plate wide enough to engauge the slots do it?
@@groblerful I use a heat gun, but hot water works as well. Anything to soften that thick plastic a bit. Otherwise it's not coming out damage free.
Could try a ratchet strap between 2 posts like I did today.
Dear friends, today I do the replacement of the kit for a difragm Solo pump. But when I started using it, I have to continiusly pumped to maintain pressure in the nozzel. Before I just pumped several time, it keep some pressure inside, This way I can have some rest between pumping. What is wrong? Have no leaks. I used the correct kit.
Thanks for your question. Your problem has a few possible causes depending on exactly what is happening. We would need more details to accurately troubleshoot. Please call Gempler’s product support team at 1 (800) 382-8473 or techserv@gemplers.com so we can talk more about details of what is occurring.
Can you help? I've disassembled ok but can'r get the pump bar aligned so that the arm is in the right place. It is either fully upright vertically or straight down. I can't figure out what the problem is and I also tried tried swapping between left and right-hand. Thanks
My hubby has just completed this task. His tips are;
1: Do not start this job unless you have the SOLO tool to remove the valve assembly. This tool is not included in the kit!!! God knows why!!! You can make your own or use any flat piece of steel that is 43mm x 5mm or 1" 11/16 x 13/64
2: Before dissasembly of the handle mechanism, take careful note of how it is put together. Re assembly is easier said than done
3: To remove pressure cylinder, pour boiling water into tank and around base on the outside, wait 2-3 minutes. The plastic will soften and the cylinder should come out with a gentle tap
4: When re assembling, the large o ring on the pressure cylinder, will want to squeeze out. This is because it is the wrong size!!! It is definately larger that the one I removed. However with patience, and a flat screwdriver to push it back into place, it will work. All other new o rings and seals are smaller that those removed, as you would expect, as the old ones have expanded over the years.
5: What should be a 15 minute job, took over an hour!!
Most of my observations are mentioned it posts below, I have just condensed them.
My pump now works perfectly!! Good luck!!
This video was really helpful but I've run into a problem. On my 475 Comfort the diaphragm flange has two extra plastic bits that the pump rod passes through. This makes it impossible to turn the diaphragm assembly to get at all the screws. Is this a very old model or some sort of update? How do I get to the flange screws in this scenario?
On peut l'avoir en français
Why are the cylinders so hard to get out? I think you could make a little more room to get the 12 screws out with out turning the cylinder 180.
wht to do if the presure cilinder is borcken and wont come out?
I purchased a Solo 473 D on Amazon UK a few years ago and the diaphragm has ruptured. Is there anyone in the UK supplying replacement repair kits as postage from US makes a repair to expensive
Solo has a global website that allows you to search for dealers in your area. Here’s the web address: www.solo.global/
Hi Stacey, thanks for your informative video. I wonder if you could comment on the leakage issue I have from my Solo 475. The leakage on my fairly new 475 occurs from the flange at the base of the pump, the lower housing that you show being removed after turning the pump assembly by 180 deg. The pump O rings are in good condition but the leak occurs from the mating joint between the lower housing and the pump. It's a relatively minor leak but it drips down my lower back and butt, and given that I am spraying glyphosate and that glyphosate is a likely carcinogen, I am wanting to minimise exposure. I am thinking of repeating disassembly and reassembly with a thin smear of silicone. Is that something you would recommend? PS I am in Brisbane, Australia so a long way to visit.
Rob I just did mine today, and from the factory it had a fair bit of silicone in that joint and over the o rings, so I’d recommend using it. The video says you can use petroleum jelly i.e. Vaseline. Also make sure the o rings stay in their slots as you push the parts together. I had to push mine back in with a blunt screwdriver as l assembled them.
@@martinharris8645 Thanks for that info. Appreciate your reply.
How much is the piston repair kit
There are two different repair kits. For this particular sprayer you'll probably need the diaphragm pump repair kit for $24.99 found here: gemplers.com/products/solo-diaphragm-pump-repair-kit
We also have a piston repair kit which you can find here for $27.99: gemplers.com/products/solo-piston-pump-repair-kit
Can you use this kit on a model RL914P?
If you have one of the older models of backpack sprayers that says “RL PRO Model 914P Powered by Solo”- Yes! The Solo diaphragm repair kit will work on that sprayer.
The video is good. Would be nice if he slowed down a bit. If I knew how to do this I wouldn’t need to watch a video. Also he puts the ring that the 12 screws go through on upside down. It’s that way at the start of the video also but it leaks if you install it that way.
I noticed this too. Fortunately I took pictures of mine before disassembling that size able to verify that the video puts the diaphragm retaining ring on the wrong way, inside out.
I have been using my solo diaphragm sprayer for many years (7yrs.). It seemed like the pumps were not producing as much pressure so I bought the rebuild kit. Your video is great, but I must have done something wrong. I could not get the inside to come out, I pounded on it with the block of wood to the point I knew it would break if I kept going. After my rebuild the pump makes bubbles in the tank and no pressure to the sprayer tip. Is it possible I cracked the inside tank? I hit it about six times with a rag on top and a block of wood, it came down far enough to replace the Oring but that was all. No leaks with water inside the tank, but it will no spray either.
What about the spring and little black rubber plug (or ???), where do they go?
The plug (Solo calls it a seal ring) and the spring are for Solo sprayer models with a pressure control knob on the pressure cylinder. Not all of their sprayers have that feature. You can take a look and see where they go on the diagram we have on our website (www.gemplers.com/shop/hsolop). They are diagram numbers 24 and 25.
jeez...easier to rebuild a 350 for my chevy ! I got 1 season use out of my solo before it suddenly and completely failed. Won't both to buy again
How about SHOWING the special Solo tool you use to remove the valve unit? In the demonstration it says do yin's, it the heads are covering the tool, both on uninstall and install. OK - it isn't rocket science to envision what it should look like but hey, that's the point of the demonstration. Right.
This video does a poor job of showing what is being described. If you are not familiar with the parts this video will not help much.
We're sorry you didn't find the video helpful. We'll make sure to apply this feedback for future videos. If you have a specific question or would like additional insights, I would encourage you to contact our product support team at 1 (800) 382-8473 or Techserv@gemplers.com. They will be able to help provide additional details regarding this process.