“Hardi’s top training man opened some eyes very wide and certainly had many people talking at the recent Event at Kildalton College where he talked about the very latest developments in sprayers” says I.A.M. Sales Director Nicholas Dunne who also attended the National Pesticide and Sprayer Event. Here’s a very brief summary of Mikkel’s key points on sprayer development:

+ MANUFACTURERS FOCUS NOW IS ON EASY USE – to minimise fatigue and reducing the risk of making costly mistakes. 

+ BOOM MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS – for example, Hardi sprayers are now available with a boom management system – the only one with distance sensors suitable from tramline use which can ‘see’ the difference between the crop and the ground.

+ AUTOMATIC SECTION CONTROL – using GPS to minimise overlap and saving up to 4% on chemicals by avoiding double spraying with self-steering tractors.

+ THE LATEST IN SERVICE OPERATIONS – Hardi now has an automated cleaning system called ‘Autowash’ using electric powered valves controlled by sophisticated software making 39 sequential steps without risk to the operator. Automated filling systems are available too using either pre-set volumes or measuring the remaining unfilled tank space.

+ SPRAYERS ARE THE MOST USED MACHINE ON ARABLE FARMS AND HAVE VERY  LARGE COST SAVING POTENTIAL – Hardi has invested heavily in techniques for reducing chemical consumption without affecting plant protection. For more details click here to the air assist boom section in his presentation. These techniques also enable the sprayer to be operated at a higher speed in windy conditions – and be out working in conditions which would stop conventional spraying.

+ THE HARD ‘TWIN’ AIR ASSIST BOOM ON TRAILED SPRAYER SAVES TIME AND SAVES A LOT OF MONEY – More hectares sprayed per hour and more hours out spraying each month – all without compromising deposit rates per plant or causing drift. The big saving comes from reduced chemical application per acre. That demands advanced application techniques using substantially less than the recommended dose and placing the optimum droplet size over more of the plant surface. This can be done with a good conventional boom but at a very low speed in optimal weather conditions. With a Twin, you can also work accurately at speed in variable weather conditions.

A MORE DETAILED 3-PAGE SUMMARY OF MIKKEL NILARS PRESENTATION CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING THIS LINK