"Made-It-Myself" Sprayer Looks Factory-Built

"Made-It-Myself" Sprayer Looks Factory-Built SPRAYING Miscellaneous 29-4-27 The sprayer built by Brent Pitcher, Montrose, Ill., looks like it came from the Case-IH factory except that the company doesn't make an "Exterminator 442". With an air-conditioned R42 Gleaner combine cab, custom-fabricated hood, and a Steiger tractor grill, this sprayer definitely looks factory-built. Pitcher painted it red because, "I'm an International kind of guy." His wife named it the "Exterminator" and Pitcher added the 442. "I've always wanted an Oldsmobile 442," he says, laughing. "I have a 442 now. It's just an International 442 instead." Pitcher says he spent about $10,000 on it and estimates a similar-sized new sprayer would cost around $100,000. He built the Exterminator with the help of sons Jason and Jordan and a couple of neighbors. An '87 International school bus provided the frame, diesel turbo 360 motor and Allison 543 automatic transmission. The 2-speed rear axle came out of a Franklin log skidder that had outboard planetary drives with a 25:1 ratio. Its top speed is 28 mph. The front axle is actually the rear axle off a 1660 IH combine. The rear rims for the 14.9-46 tires were custom-made for the rear axle. The 700-gal. tank, 30-ft. booms, pump and controllers came off an old pull-type sprayer. Pitcher uses the Exterminator on his corn, beans and wheat. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Brent Pitcher, 20706 N. 500 Street, Montrose, Ill. 62445 (ph 217 924-4247).

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