Tuesday, 19 April 2016 07:55

Improves spraying’s bottomline

Written by  Mark Daniel
The AmaSelect system – seen here on a UX trailed sprayer – can save up to 5% of input costs by reducing overlap. The AmaSelect system – seen here on a UX trailed sprayer – can save up to 5% of input costs by reducing overlap.

Agrichemicals can be one of the larger costs of crop production, so a new system from Amazone that suggests costs savings could be worth a look.

The AmaSelect system, available for UX trailed and Panterra self-propelled sprayers, has four individually controlled nozzles fitted in carriers positioned at 50cm intervals along the sprayer boom. The system will automatically select the best nozzle for the job according to operating conditions and, depending on variables such as field size, working width or the number of part-sections being used, it can save up to 5% of input costs by reducing overlap.

Combined with the company's GPS-Switch section control the savings can be increased by a further 5%.

In use, the operator enters the optimal pressure range for each nozzle fitted to the carriers via the machine's Isobus terminal. The system then selects and activates the most suitable nozzle for the application rate and forward speed. Once the optimum pressure range has been reached the AmaSelect switches to a smaller or bigger nozzle, or might even add a second nozzle, to meet specified target rates. In turn the GPS-Switch uses GPS to switch off individual nozzles over 50cm increments along the boom as the sprayer approaches headlands, crosses short ground or encounters obstacles.

Another feature useful to spraying contractors encountering varying tramline spacing allows the operator to select individual nozzles to match those widths, as and when required, from his seat.

As part of the standard product package all nozzles are fitted with LED lighting and the DUS Pro high pressure re-circulation system. This ensures the spray lines are always filled with a homogeneous chemical mix and ready to operate at full dose immediately across the full working width. It also prevents deposits, blockages and segregation in the spray lines, even after a prolonged shut-off.

As a further option customers can specify an intermediate kit which sees nozzle spacing reduced to 25cm intervals to allow high volume applications and to allow target heights to be reduced to less than 50cm.

www.claasharvestcentre.co.nz 

More like this

Amazone unveils flagship spreader

With the price of fertiliser still significantly higher than 2024, there is an increased onus on ensuring its spread accurately at the correct rate.

Amazone extends hoe range

With many European manufacturers releasing mechanical weeding systems to counter the backlash around the use and possible banning of agrochemicals, Amazone has added a new model to its Venterra mechanical hoe range.

Got $1.5m for a bit of spraying?

While we are seeing more and more drones being used in New Zealand agriculture, we’re some way behind the US, where in places like the Midwest, the drones are certainly bigger than Texas.

Featured

New methane targets here to stay?

A drop in methane targets announced by the Government this month has pleased farmers but there are concerns that without cross-party support, the targets would change once a Labour-led Government is voted into office.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why so slow?

OPINION: Why does it take Treasury so long to turn around its figures on how the economy is tracking?

Quid prod quo?

OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter