FM20 Air Powered Foamer for Greenhouse Sanitation
This is a rolling foam unit for sanitizing walls, bench legs and trays, the surfaces where liquid disinfectant tends to run off. Dramm's air driven pump turns water and foaming chemical into a thick lather that looks and behaves like shaving cream. That lather clings to vertical surfaces and breaks down slowly, which keeps the disinfectant in place through its contact time. The plastic tank holds 20 gallons (75 liters), and it rides on a vinyl-dipped cart that stands up to harsh detergents. The footprint is 37 x 21 x 39 in, so measure your narrowest aisle before it arrives. A foam gun and 1/2 in hose come with it, but the compressor is separate. Plan on at least 60 PSI at 5 CFM with the 25 ft hose, and keep incoming air under 100 PSI. Foam reaches up to 15 ft from the gun, which lets you stand well back from a wall or bench. Nothing here plugs into an outlet. The cart runs anywhere an air line reaches.
A Cart Mounted Foamer Built Around Contact Time
Most rooms reach for this cart mounted foamer at turnover, once the crop is out and the debris is swept up. Fill the tank with water and the foaming chemical at its label rate, then connect the air line with the ball valve closed. A wet foam and dry foam valve sets the texture of the lather. Close it fully, open it three full turns, then add quarter turns about every 30 seconds until the foam looks right. Open it too far and the pump can stall, which means starting that sequence over. The unit is rated for alkaline cleaners, caustic cleaners, sanitizers and phosphoric acid. Strong acids, hydrocarbons and D-limonene stay out of it, so read the chemical label before filling. The air fitting is yours to choose, because compressor standards vary and the inlet takes 1/4 in female or 3/4 in male pipe thread. Goggles and gloves stay on during application, since the lather carries whatever went into the tank. Flush with fresh water for 5 minutes after each run, then relieve the line pressure before storage. Solid rubber wheels and casters won't go flat and hold on wet concrete. A full tank adds about 165 lb of liquid, so plan the route before filling it.
Key Features
- 20 Gallon Plastic Tank: Holds a large batch of mixed solution, which cuts down on trips back to the mixing station.
- Air Driven Pump: Runs on compressed air, so no power cord has to cross a wet floor.
- Adjustable Wet or Dry Foam: A wet and dry foam valve sets how thick the lather comes out of the gun.
- Slow-Breaking Lather: Foam stays where it lands, which gives oxidizing disinfectants time to work on the surface.
- Foam Gun and 1/2 in Hose: Ready to foam once an air line and a fitting are connected.
- Vinyl-Dipped Cart: Resists corrosion from the harsh detergents and sanitizers this machine runs.
- Solid Rubber Wheels and Casters: They won't go flat, and they grip on wet concrete during a washdown.
- Two Air Inlet Threads: A 1/4 in female or 3/4 in male connection matches most compressor outlets with the right fitting.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | FM20-25, FM20-50 |
| Tank Capacity | 20 gallons (75 liters) |
| Tank Material | Plastic |
| Power Supply | Air driven |
| Air Requirement, 25 ft Hose | 60 PSI at 5 CFM |
| Air Requirement, 50 ft Hose | 60 PSI at 7 SCFM |
| Maximum Incoming Air | 100 PSI |
| Foam Throw | Up to 15 ft |
| Hose | 1/2 in, 25 ft or 50 ft |
| Included | Foam gun, hose, cart |
| Not Included | Compressor, air fitting, foaming chemical |
| Air Inlet | 1/4 in female or 3/4 in male pipe thread |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 37 x 21 x 39 in |
| Cart | Vinyl-dipped, corrosion resistant |
| Wheels and Casters | Solid rubber |
| Acceptable Products | Alkaline cleaners, caustic cleaners, sanitizers, phosphoric acids only |
| Unacceptable Products | Strong acids, all hydrocarbons, D-limonene |
| Warranty | 6 months, wear parts excluded |