Grape Days 2026: AI Adoption and Vineyard Research Insights
Generative AI in the workplace, trials in the field, and industry-relevant research took centre stage at this year’s Grape Days events in Central Otago, Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough.
Most farmers will have heard about the commonly referred to “ISO”, the ISOBUS Communication Protocol, which is familiar to the technology that provides a universal connection between tractors and implements from different manufacturers.
ISO is also an option on the Hardi Navigator range of trailed sprayers that offers 3,000 to 6,000 litre tank capacities and 18 metre to 36.5 metre boom widths.
ISOBUS gives the Navigator automatic compatibility with the existing tractor and its on-board systems – meaning there is no need to invest in any special terminal, displays or controls.
More importantly, it means the user doesn’t have to learn the functions of another operating system, just use the Navigator via the tractor platform they are familiar with.
“It also saves a lot of tedious sprayer set-up and calibration work with no risk of running into installation or interface problems,” says HARDI’s NZ territory manager, Ross Dickson. “It’s a ‘plug and spray’ solution.”
For tractors not fitted with a guidance system, the HC8600 and HC9600 systems have been specially developed for agricultural use and provide perfect integration with the machine’s spray functions. Featuring 8.4-inch and 12.1-inch colour screens respectively, both provide access to a full range of ISOBUS and spraying functions from the main screen.
These include including guidance, autosteer and auto section control, plus information on application rate, tank contents, boom height, spraying speed and data capture.
“Designed as a high quality, high capacity sprayer that’s very user friendly, Navigator is, without a doubt, the most popular Hardi sprayer,” Dickson adds. “The ISOBUS connection fits right in with this concept by adding even more value to the machine.”
