There are many sprayers and machines coming to Crops and Spraying, and here we feature the sprayers participating in the demo area.

Picture 1: Amazone

Farmhand Ltd of Damastown, Dublin, will be showing three models from the Amazone range at Crops and Spraying. While the main focus will be on the UF1201 mounted model in the arena, there will also be a UX3200 trailed sprayer and a second UF901 mounted machine on display.

The UF1201 mounted sprayer has a 1,200-litre capacity tank and will be fitted with a 24-metre Super-L Amazone boom. The Amazone sprayer range is recognised for the strength and flexibility of its booms.

One of the key features of the Amazone sprayer boom range is the vertical folding technology, which enables it to fold to a transport width of just 2.4 metres. There are two boom designs, the Super-L which is the most popular in Ireland and the Super-S version.

On the Farmhand display, the trailed UX3200 sprayer will feature a 3,200-litre tank and 24-metre boom. The smaller UF901 sprayer will be fitted with a 15-metre boom, all from the Amazone Super-L sprayer boom family.

Picture 2: Bateman

Bateman importers for the island of Ireland, Frank Jenkinson of Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, will be showing two models from the British-built range.

They will have an RB35 model, fitted with a 4,000-litre stainless steel tank matched to a 36 metre-wide boom, in the spraying arena. This boom comes with the company’s VG technology, which allows the sections to be used and raised independently while on the move. The strength of the sprayer boom is one of the unique features of the self-propelled sprayer, along with the six-section control.

The machine is powered by a 225hp John Deere six-cylinder engine driving a hydrostatic four-wheel-drive system. The machine has a full joystick controller and can be fitted with either LH Agro or AgLeader machine control systems.

The second machine on Frank Jenkinson’s display will be a used version of the Bateman RB25 sprayer in mint condition with a 24-metre boom and two sets of wheels, depending in the spraying needs.

Picture 3: Vicon

Vicon Ireland will be showing the iXter B18 mounted sprayer at Crops & Spraying. This sprayer has an 1,800-litre tank capacity and is fitted with a 24 metre-wide boom. An optional aluminium boom is available which gives lighter weight and more strength by using what is claimed to be an aircraft-engineered design and manufacturing process.

Among the unique features of the iXter sprayer is the mounting system, which uses a special A-frame linkage that makes hitching the sprayer easier and safer.

The machine on view will be fitted with the award-winning Vicon iXclean Pro system, which is a new rinsing and cleaning programme for the complete sprayer, as well as an automatic fill stop.

iXclean Pro provides full electrical valve management on ISOBUS sprayers where all the functions can be controlled from the driver’s seat. Switching between filling, agitation, spraying, diluting, priming, rinsing and tank cleaning is very easy, at the push of a button.

The iXclean Pro system is now available for the new Vicon iXtrack sprayer, as well as for the Ikarus S trailed sprayer and the iXter mounted sprayer range.

Picture 4: Lemken

Lemken will be displaying its Sirius 10 range of mounted sprayers with the Gemini front tank combination. The Sirius 10 features a circulation line and electric single-nozzle valves to ensure precise, individually controllable application. The new Megaspray spraying computer allows all nozzles to be individually controlled.

The computer communicates with the terminal and controls all application parameters, such as single-nozzle valve operation, application rates and hydraulic functions.

It also controls the electric four-way valve on the suction side, which makes switching between spraying, suction from an external tank and suction from the front tank and clean water easy with the touch of a button.

The Gemini front-mounted tank gives much more output in a day according to Dermot Claridge and has the potential to rival a medium-sized trailed sprayer. All of the Lemken sprayers will be available through the existing dealer network.

Picture 5: Hardi

Nicholas Dunne for IAM has a trailed Hardi Commander 4,500-litre sprayer with a 28-metre boom. The air-assisted Twin Force sprayer will feature in the demo. IAM also has the Hardi Master mounted sprayers and the Hardi Navigator trailed sprayers.

The demonstration sprayer will feature Hardi’s DynamicFluid 4 system. According to Nicholas, this system uses four sensors in combination, which gives faster regulation with the highest possible accuracy and works with fast regulation software to deal with all the challenges in modern spraying to give very precise control.

The Hardi Commander is a high-specification sprayer with auto sectional and joystick control. The full range of tillage equipment from IAM will also be available to view on the day.

Picture 6: Berthoud

Murphy Machinery Ltd, Dublin Rd, Kilkenny, is the importer for Berthoud sprayers into Ireland. The firm will display the full range of Berthoud sprayers, both mounted and trailed.

In the lineup will be the Berthoud mounted grassland range from 400 litres to 1,600 litres, with boom widths from six metres to 30 metres.

Trailed versions on display will include the Berthoud Sprinter 2,600-litre sprayer with 21-metre boom, Berthoud Tracker 3,200-litre sprayer with 24-metre booms and 4,600-litre Tenor 4600 also with 24-metre booms.

Also included in Murphy Machinery’s display are a combined Berthoud Elyte 1200 mounted sprayer and front-mounted 1,000-litre tank.

In the demonstration area, Murphy Machinery will display the trailed Tenor 4,600-litre sprayer. This features Berthoud’s Actiflex suspension, auto- section shut-off and the new Berthoud E C Tronic controls with wireless joystick controls.

Picture 7: Chafer

This specialist sprayer manufacturer’s primary market is the tillage sector. While not mainstream in Ireland, the range has a popular following in the UK.

All models benefit from a reduced centre of gravity, which has been achieved by optimising the shape of the stainless steel tanks to allow more of the liquid’s mass to sit lower down. Chafer claims this will give a significant improvement to the sprayer’s stability in the fields and on the road.

A 65km/h axle has been added to the options list, with appropriate braking and load-carrying capacity, to keep up with higher road speeds in a safe manner.

Chafer has also fitted a higher-capacity hydraulically driven centrifugal pump, which provides a 50% increase in filling speeds to over 600 litres per minute. Agricare in Skerries, Co Dublin, is the Irish main agent for Chafer.

Picture 8: Horsch

Co Carlow firm Kelly’s of Borris will be bringing a broad range of products to Crops & Spraying. These will include products from Claas, Horsch, Pronar and Dal-Bo.

Kelly’s of Borris recently acquired the franchise for the Polish-built Pronar products. It will launch the range of Pronar chaser bins at Crops & Spraying.

These are fully road compatible grain chaser bins, with commercial axles, suspension and LED lighting. Two models of Pronar chaser bins are available – the twin-axle T740 and triple-axle T743. Load capacities are 15.3t and 22.7t respectively.

Kelly’s is the agent for both Househam and Horsch sprayers. On display at Oak Park will be a trailed 6,000-litre Horsch Leeb GS6 sprayer with 30 metre booms.

The firm will also display the range of Dal-Bo rollers with levelling paddles. These feature Dal-Bo’s new super-strong snowflake design of ring for rollers.

Picture 9: Kuhn

Kuhn products will be well represented at Crops & Spraying. The firm is bringing a number of machines to the event, including a Kuhn Optimer plough, Cultimer cultivator and Metris trailed sprayer.

The Kuhn Metris trailed sprayer is available with 3,200- or 4,100-litre tank capacity and boom width options from 18 to 36 metres. Kuhn claims the sprayer’s low centre of gravity, along with its optimal, even weight distribution, ensures a comfortable ride.

The EQUILIBRA suspension system allows the boom to follow the terrain irrespective of working conditions. Shocks are absorbed in all three dimensions.

Key features include the use of an anti-roll tank design, a 450-litre rinsing tank, piston diaphragm and centrifugal pumps to suit required working speeds.

The tank was designed so that the booms could be carried in a low transport position. This reduces the risk of the booms getting caught in obstacles such as trees when travelling on the road.

Picture 10: Challenger

The Rogator 645b features a 224hp Agco engine, a fully hydrostatic transmission with traction control and power management for efficient fuel consumption, combined with the latest intelligent controller to provide CVT-like operation and driveability according to Challenger.

There will be a host of tracking and control options on show at Crops & Spraying.

Picture 11: Bargam

This year, Farmec celebrates 25 years representing the Bargam sprayer company in Ireland. During that period, more than 2,500 Bargam sprayers have been sold, including tractor-mounted, trailed, self-propelled and amenity sprayer models.

Featured at Crops & Spraying 2015 will be the Bargam Grimpeur self-propelled sprayer. This features conventional mechanical front and rear axles, which are driven by a central hydrostatic drive system. According to Farmec, this design provides all the traction, reliability and simplicity associated with standard axles.

Farmec also says that with flotation wheels fitted, the Grimpeur has ground pressure down to 5psi fully loaded. Four-wheel steer and spray on/off are selected by floor switch for speed and ease when turning.

An FPT 145hp engine powers the Grimpeur and Farmec says this has ample power for steep hills and its road speed of 50km/h. Tank sizes range from 2,000 to 4,000 litres and full function boom widths up to 36 metres wide are available.

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Teagasc Oak Park Crops and Spraying 2015 an event for all farmers