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.
Cropland's launch of its TurboDrop variable rate (VR) spray nozzle makes available a unit with greater flexibility of application rates than those of traditional air inclusion (AI) units.
This makes the nozzles especially suitable for users who frequently need to change rates for different spray regimes.
Available in four sizes (o15/02/02/fert) and with flow ranges of 0.68-5.8L/min, each nozzle has the potential to replace up to four different conventional items. As an example the 03 VR item has a volume range of 150-400L/ha at 10 km/h, compared to the 03 AI unit which can only apply 150-200L/ha at the same speed.
Croplands cites the obvious benefit to a user who might spray at a forward sped of 6km/h on rugged land, then move to flat paddocks later in the day and achieve 16km/h. Alternatively, the same operator might spray at 100L/ha for a tidy-up, 200L/ha for a fertiliser application or 300L/ha for post emergence. All rates are achievable with a suitable rate controller.
Retro-fit units are available for all older machines.
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