IT was ‘thumbs-up’ as far as a Dalby district, Qld, producer was concerned after a ride on the latest self-propelled Goldacres sprayer - a Crop Cruiser 4500 unit equipped with a 30m boom that has been strutting its stuff on a Queensland familiarisation tour.
Goldacres says that, in a flat paddock and carrying a 4500L tank, plus matching 36m boom, users can expect to achieve at least 70ha/hour.
Meanwhile, local producer Ian Pates, Warikirri, sounded bouyed after taking a demonstration ride, commenting he noticed “the extra power” – obvious to the property which already has experience with a Goldacres self-propelled machine.
“We were travelling at between 25 to 30kph and it was very smooth,” he said.
“The airbag’s make the ride good, plus it’s on 3m wheel spacing,” Mr Pates added.
The experienced sprayer operator spotted the new machine’s larger capacity with the sprayer now able to carry 6000L when fitted with a nose-mounted tank.
“The more time you spend in the paddock, the better off you are,” Mr Pates said.
Warikirri takes great interest in emerging spray technology developments because, apart from its sprayers and planters, most of its gear is contracted out.
Starting off in Emerald, central Queensland, noted Australian manufacturer Goldacres has been taking the opportunity to demonstrate its newcomer which is gradually working its way south.
The company’s service manager, Steve Lang, said its Crop Cruiser machine had been “re-vamped” for the 2009 season, debuting at the company’s recent Expo at its headquarters in Ballarat, Vic, earlier this year.
“We’ve upgraded the engine – so it’s up from a 177hp mechanial unit to a 168kW (225hp) QSB electronic engine that meets Tier 3 standards,” he said.
While the extra ‘grunt’ is needed for working in heavier going, there’s no doubt the developments were needed to meet increasingly stringent emission controls being introduced to the world’s more advanced economies.
As well, Steve Lang drew attention to cab improvements which had seen it “cleared-up quite dramatically,” culminating in the new-style armrest console.
“So as you move the seat – either to the left or right, forwards or backwards, and the armrest moves with you, and you can keep your hands on the controls all the time.
“And, because of the electronic engine, the Cruise Control option now becomes standard,” Mr Lang said.
The sprayer’s Raven SCS 4070 controller also manages the machine’s direct chemical injection system.
Also “tidied-up” is the company’s TriTech booms that are a familiar sight on all Goldacre’s trailing-type sprayers. The suspension system is said to give one of the smoothest, most stable industry rides, according to Steve Lang.
He pointed out the alloy nature of the outer booms that help lighten up the structure, offering better chemical resistance than painted steel.
“The lighter outer boom stops any inertia when you are cornering – especially if you do experiece a ‘touch-down’ or an obstruction – the boom doesn’t hit with such force,” Mr Lang said.
“On this set up the average fuel useage rate is about nine litres/hour with this 8-tonne gross weight machine,” Mr Lang said.
“We’ve been getting some good reactions on our travels, including from existing owners who say they were impressed with the improvements we have made.
“So we look to be ticking all the boxes - as far as what they want,” Mr Lang said.
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