Despite many manufacturers previewing their Agritechnica launches this summer, there were still a few sprayer surprises at the event.
Alongside the completely new machines, there were many additions, updates and innovations. With the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy aimed at cutting the use of pesticides by 50%, there is now a clear focus on increasing precision – doing more with less.
Possibly the biggest news for sprayer operators is the move towards the use of Closed Transfer Systems following the ISO standards for cap fittings. With a large number of chemical makers now moving to use easyconnect cap, there’s now a wide choice of transfer systems that handle this connection – some running entirely automatically. We will take a closer look at what’s on offer in the next issue of Pro Operator which publishes in December 2023.
Most manufacturers now offer some form of crop scanning for spot and band spraying. These use cameras to detect weeds growing on bare soil (green on brown) and an increasing number now claiming to be able to spot and treat weeds in growing crops (green on green).
Despite severe restrictions on their use in EU and non-EU countries, spray drones still attract a huge amount of attention, with the big Chinese players now being joined by smaller, more local firms.
Sprayer ‘Deere-ification’ continues
With the launch of two 300M compact sprayers John Deere continues with its ‘Deere-ification’ of its Mazzotti self-propelled machines. Available with 3,200-litre or 4,000-litre tanks and a 36/24m wide boom they are clearly aimed at the UK market.
Standard equipment includes PowrSpray, dual pump spray circuit, individual nozzle control as well as automatic adjustable track width – offering settings of 1.5cm-1.8m, 1.8m-2.25m and 2.25m-3.0m (depending on model).
Power is delivered by a John Deere 175hp, four cylinder in the 332M and 6-cyl, 225hp in the 340M. Up-front the Cat 4 cab, comes from the firm’s Brazilian combine and is equipped with CommandArm control, a StarFire receiver, JDLink and G5Plus terminal.
An uprated drivetrain now uses the eHydro transmission to provide better hill-climbing ability. Four-wheel steer delivers a 3.8m turning circle on the smaller machine and 4.2m on the 4,000-litre model. Ground clearance is 1.1m.
Closed transfer integration
Closed Transfer Systems (CTS) are gaining traction across Europe, with sprayer manufacturers now also gearing up for their introduction by adapting existing induction systems to accommodate the appliances.
Kverneland has gone one step further, incorporating the new Tefen system alongside the induction hopper in a new moulding.
This design envisages how, in future, the majority of containers will come with the easyconnect cap. It does, however, still provide a smaller conventional induction hopper and rinse nozzle for those without the cap and other products.
Higher capacity Pantera
From front to back the new maximum 7,000 litre capacity Pantera 7004 is a new machine. The cab is the latest from Claas and inside is Amazone’s own dedicated ISObus lever and 7” AmaDrive terminal for the machines functions. Operators can fit their own choice of GPS and rate control terminal.
The chassis is based on the 4504 machine, but is 800mm longer to accommodate the larger tank. The 7004 also introduces hillside self-levelling, utilising new hydro-pneumatic running gear and sensors to detect inclination. It also offers variable track width.
Despite being longer, the 7004 maintains the same turning circle of the smaller 4504, with the 6,000-litre tank, with a clean water tank taking the total capacity to 7,000 litres. The new Pantera is also available with DirectInject allowing additional product to be added on demand.
A bridge to curve control
An ISO-Bridge connection, developed by Altek, now enables its Smart-C-Spray nozzle control system to be operated by any compatible ISObus terminal.
At the same time it now employs a faster acting regulation valve to maintain the correct flowrate, regardless of the number and size of nozzles operating at any one time.
Auto Nozzle Select automatically changes the size or combination of up to four nozzles to maintain the correct droplet size, regardless of speed changes. With the addition of Smart-C-Spray the system also provides turn compensation. This changes flowrate across the boom to maintain the correct dose while turning.
The system also includes Flow Monitoring, which shows the flow through each nozzle, in real time, on the terminal.