increase font size
The JD R4050i’s boom is said to be much lighter than steel or aluminium, but at least five times stronger than a steel equivalent.
In the northern hemisphere, John Deere has released details of its new R4050i self-propelled sprayer, with a new PowrSpray control system, a larger 5000L tank and an “ultra-lightweight but extremely strong” carbon-fibre boom.
It is powered by JD’s PowerTech PSS engine of 6.8L, developing 235hp at rated speed and climbing to 255hp at maximum output.
The unit is also equipped with the company’s GreenStar 3 touch screen display that supports FieldDoc spray documentation and has full ISOBUS compatibility.
Other standard equipment includes a multi-function control lever, electronic sprayer control -- aptly named Solution Command to oversee all functions – and a 50L PowrFill induction system.
The new PowrSpray system uses a dual circuit layout fed by two pumps, and a new waterproof keypad and digital display at the operator station aids control of the system.
The boom’s carbon-fibre technology stems from JD’s recent purchase of King Agro, a specialist manufacturer of carbon-fibre products.
On the R4050i, the boom is said to be much lighter than steel or aluminium, but at least five times stronger than a steel equivalent would be. It can flex in use, avoiding the stress that would typically show up as cracks in metal units.
It comes in 18 or 36m operating widths.
The manufacturer claims the carbon-fibre composition can withstand high dynamic loads when used for application at 20 - 30km/h.
LED boom lights extend its operation in low-light conditions or at night.
Rural News understands the machine will be available in NZ later in the year.
The recently announced Milk Sustainability Centre – a collaboration between global giant John Deere and milking and feed specialists De Laval – is said to deliver dairy farmers a new tool to enhance efficiency and sustainability, while also rising to the challenges of changing regulations that affect their businesses.
Agri-tech company Precision Farming is linking with John Deere’s Operations Centre guidance technology to automate nutrient and spray record-keeping and Nitrogen Cap compliance for farmers.
Three New Zealanders took top honours at the fourth annual John Deere Technician of the Year Awards.
John Deere's 6M Series tractors have been given a major update for 2025 with more speed and power across the 13-model range and, for the first time, will include four models above 200hp and a 50km/h transmission.
Probably best known for its tractors, harvesters and farm equipment, it looks like John Deere is about to put its long-recognised and trademarked catch phrase of ‘Nothing Runs Like a Deere’ into practice.
The country's largest lender to the agriculture sector says it's not favouring home loans over farm and business lending.
Reeling from two consecutive years of heavy losses, Alliance says it has appointed Craigs Investment Partners to explore external capital-raising options.
Meat company Alliance has posted a second consecutive trading year of a heavy loss.
Red meat farmers are warning that wholesale conversion of farms into forestry to achieve climate change targets will be unsustainable for the country.
Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton says his recent visit to China has left him feeling optimistic about the situation there for the meat industry.
Fonterra leaders are making their case for offloading the co-operative's $3 billion consumer business, noting that its return on capital has been nowhere near respectable.
OPINION: Just as they did in 2016 when Trump beat Clinton, liberals in the media are crying "how did this…
OPINION: About as productive as a politician's taxpayer-funded trip to Hawaii, as cost-effective as an OSPRI IT project, and as…
