Hydro-Force Sprayer Dilution Chart & Calculator

A Hydro-Force injection sprayer mixes chemical from its bottle with water supplied by your truckmount or portable extractor. Once the metering tip is matched to the incoming pressure, you can work out how much concentrate to put in the bottle for your chosen on-carpet dilution.

Quick answer: With a yellow metering tip and 400 PSI incoming pressure, the sprayer draws approximately 1 part bottle solution to 8 parts water. To apply a liquid chemical at 1:32 (one part concentrate to 32 parts water), put approximately 1.29 litres of concentrate into a nominal 4.73 litre / 5 US quart bottle, then top up to 4.73 litres with water. These are nominal figures; pressure and viscosity affect the actual draw.

How Hydro-Force dilution ratios work

A Hydro-Force has two dilutions to consider: the ratio delivered by the injector and the dilution required on the chemical label. They are not always the same.

• Injector ratio: How much solution the sprayer takes from its bottle relative to incoming water. Example: 1:8 means one part bottle solution plus eight parts supply water.
• Required application ratio: How much original liquid concentrate should reach the carpet after injection. Example: 1:32 means one part concentrate plus 32 parts water.

If the two ratios already match, you can generally use the chemical according to its approved instructions without pre-diluting it in the bottle. If the required application is weaker than the injector's ratio, add a measured quantity of concentrate and top up the bottle. If you need an application stronger than the sprayer's injection ratio, adding water to the bottle cannot achieve it: choose a suitable metering tip or application method instead.

Hydro-Force dilution chart: how much concentrate for a 5 quart bottle?

This table assumes a 4.73 litre bottle filled to 4,730 mL, 400 PSI incoming pressure and a chemical label that specifies one part concentrate to X parts water. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 mL. Add the amount of liquid concentrate shown, then top up with water to the final bottle volume of 4.73 litres.

— means that the requested application is stronger than this injector setting can produce by pre-diluting the bottle. This chart is calculated from the stated ratios, not measured field performance; use the product label and check your actual sprayer draw.

Print the Hydro-Force dilution quick-reference PDF

Example: 1:32 on the carpet with the yellow tip

1. Check that your sprayer is operating at approximately 400 PSI at the inlet.
2. Confirm the yellow metering tip is fitted (nominal injection 1:8).
3. Measure approximately 1,290 mL of liquid concentrate into your Hydro-Force bottle.
4. Add water until the total solution volume is 4,730 mL (approximately 3,440 mL of water).
5. Mix as permitted by the chemical label, then spray and check the actual dilution if accuracy is critical.

For a 1 litre bottle fill at the same settings, use approximately 273 mL of concentrate and top up to 1,000 mL. Never add a full litre of water on top of the measured concentrate: the figures refer to the final bottle volume.

Metering tip colours change with pressure

The colour of the metering tip is only part of the answer. Hydro-Force publishes different nominal injection ratios at different inlet pressures. Check the pressure at the sprayer, rather than assuming the yellow tip is always 1:8.

— means no ratio is listed for that combination in the manufacturer's published chart, not that the tip must never be used. Do not estimate intermediate ratios from this chart; measure the draw for other pressures. Different Hydro-Force models may have different operating pressure limits and tips.

Using liquid chemicals

1. Read the chemical's technical data and label. Confirm whether its dilution means 1 part concentrate to X parts water or a different convention such as mL/L.
2. Check incoming pressure and fit the corresponding metering tip.
3. Use the chart above or the calculator on this page to measure liquid concentrate for your final bottle fill volume.
4. Top up with clean water and mix as instructed. Observe the product's water temperature requirements.
5. Keep different chemicals separate, and flush the sprayer when changing products.

Using powdered presprays

Powders must be measured by weight, not liquid volume. A 300 mL volume of powder does not necessarily weigh 300 g. For powders, start with the manufacturer's recommended grams per litre of final ready-to-use spray.

At a nominal 1:8 injection ratio, a full 4.73 litre bottle produces approximately 42.6 litres of sprayed solution. If the chemical's approved dose is 5 g/L of finished spray, you need approximately 213 grams of powder dissolved in the bottle, then enough permitted water to bring the final solution to 4.73 litres. Only use this method for powders that can be safely and fully dissolved and are approved for use through an injection sprayer.

Make a small premix using water at the temperature permitted on the label; dissolve completely, transfer into the bottle, and top up to the required final volume. Undissolved material can block strainers and metering tips. If a chemical label only provides a dose for a pump-up sprayer, or there is any doubt about compatibility, check the product's technical instructions before converting it for injection spraying.

What does a litre on the carpet cost?

With an injection sprayer the useful number is the cost per ready-to-use litre on the carpet, after both the bottle dilution and the injector. Divide the concentrate price per litre by (label water parts + 1): at 1:32, a 5 L drum at $89 ($17.80 per litre) costs $17.80 ÷ 33 = 54 cents per RTU litre. A full 4.73 L bottle mixed for 1:32 through a 1:8 tip holds 1.29 L of concentrate (about $23) and sprays about 42.6 L of solution. The calculator above shows these figures when you enter your pack size and price; for powders it uses price per kilogram and grams per litre.

Why the actual dilution may be different

The chart gives theoretical quantities based on Hydro-Force's nominal ratios. The manufacturer warns that incoming pressure, concentrate viscosity and, to a lesser extent, water temperature change how much solution the injector draws. A thick liquid or incompletely dissolved powder may give a weaker application than the chart suggests.

If you need a precise application rate, perform a clean-water draw test at your normal working pressure. Measure how much water the sprayer draws from its bottle and how much total liquid is discharged in the same period. The actual inlet water-to-bottle solution ratio is approximately (total discharge − bottle draw) ÷ bottle draw. Use appropriate PPE and a safe test area.

When your Hydro-Force stops drawing chemical

• Check the strainer: Debris at the inlet or at the bottom of the draw tube can restrict chemical flow.
• Check the metering tip: A clogged tip may prevent proper draw. Clean or replace it; do not enlarge the orifice with a drill or wire.
• Check the draw tube: Kinks, air leaks, poor connections and chemical deposits cause inconsistent injection.
• Check the injector nozzle and valve: A worn or blocked nozzle can reduce suction even when water flows through the spray gun.
• Confirm the pressure: Higher inlet pressure typically gives a weaker bottle draw with the same metering tip.

Hydro-Force sprayer questions

What dilution does the yellow Hydro-Force tip give?

Nominally 1:8 at 400 PSI, 1:5 at 200 PSI and 1:4 at 100–150 PSI according to Hydro-Force's published chart. Confirm the actual inlet pressure before relying on the ratio.

Is a Hydro-Force bottle 5 litres?

No. The commonly supplied bottle is 5 US quarts, approximately 4.73 litres. Use the actual final solution volume when calculating how much chemical to add.

Can I just put concentrated prespray in the bottle?

Yes, when the chemical is approved for injection spraying and the sprayer's actual injection ratio produces the label's required application dilution. Otherwise pre-dilute the bottle or change to a suitable tip.

Can I use the liquid dilution chart for powders?

No. Powder dosage needs a weight-based calculation, usually in grams per litre of ready-to-use solution. Never treat millilitres of powder as the same number of grams.

Does a metering tip always deliver its stated ratio?

No. Nominal tip ratios refer to specified pressures and water-like solutions. Working pressure, chemical viscosity and component condition affect the draw.

Hydro-Force sprayers, metering tips and spare bottles

For an injection sprayer or a replacement part, see the Hydro-Force Pro (AS08), Hydro-Force Plus (AS08P), High Pressure Metering Tip Kit (NA0816A), and 5 Quart Replacement Bottle. For servicing, browse the Hydro-Force parts range.

Technical reference: Hydro-Force Pro AS08 operator's manual and factory metering chart (PDF). All injection ratios are nominal; follow the current chemical and equipment instructions for your exact product and model.