SPRAYPRO Story
When FMR Group set out in 2007 to design and build a vine sprayer, the objective was not simply build 'another' vine sprayer but to follow the directive of our mission statement and build a sprayer that provides superior mechanisation and allows our customers to maximise their returns through improved crop quality, optimised yield and increased efficiency and while doing so, contribute to sustainability through a reduction in environmental impact. We took these broad directives into consideration and arrived at a list of requirements that all new SPRAYPRO design had to meet. These are the directives followed by our solutions.
- Must provide superior spray deposition, even in adverse conditions
- Must be extremely durable to withstand constant operation in difficult terrain
- Must be simple to attach and operate yet provide comprehensive control options
- Must provide increased efficiencies over existing sprayers
- Must have a positive environmental impact
Obviously the key requirement of a vine sprayer is to apply a liquid chemical mixture at a prescribed rate to the vine in a manner that provides complete and even coverage of the leaves, vines and bunches. To do so in perfect conditions is not a difficult challenge but we wanted a sprayer that could provide this end result in the adverse conditions which are common in New Zealand's vineyards.
Solution: We chose the Weber tangential fan delivery system. Designed and manufactured in Germany, the Weber tangential fan system is renowned globally for providing the ultimate spray deposition, even when conditions are less than ideal. The Weber tangential fan delivery system allows operators to continue spraying when windy conditions have shut down alternative brands. Testing locally has proven that the Weber tangential fans can outperform any other delivery methods whilst being much simpler to set up and operate.
With many years experience in providing machinery to the rural sector of New Zealand, we were very aware of the extreme conditions that this equipment is used under. The terrain varies from practically 'riverbed' to clay, from steeply inclined or terraced rows to completed flat, from 3m wide rows down to under 1.4m, from 2000 hectares to a few rows so a machine must be designed to withstand the extremes whilst remaining practical and affordable.
Solution: We worked with professional engineers to arrive at a design that could withstand the stresses and loads of New Zealand vineyards. We then constructed a prototype, loaded it with twice the weight that it would normally be carrying and subjected it to over 100 hours of 'torture testing' by towing it around a worked up paddock before stripping it down for full assessment by the engineers again. This has resulted in a final design that will 'go the distance' in New Zealand vineyards regardless of the terrain.
A range of different tank sizes means that all vineyard sizes and row spacings are catered for.
Chassis and boom structure is completely hot dip galvanised for long life durability.
Nobody wants a sprayer that takes a long time to hook up to the tractor or takes a degree in computing to operate but at the same time the controller must manage all facets of the application and provide the appropriate information back to the operator in a practical manner.
Solution: We discarded the PTO shaft which causes so many problems when hooking a sprayer up to the tractor and replaced it with a full hydraulic drive system. Instead of struggling with a heavy dirty driveshaft which gives expensive maintenance issues frequently and inhibits tight turning, simply plug in two hydraulic hoses and get on with spraying.
The Teejet controller is simple and intuitive to operate and yet provides a fully comprehensive array of operating information on a single page so you don't have to scroll through different pages to get the information you need.
Folding the boom arms in is a simple switch mounted on the control panel so everything is right at hand.
Flushing chemical from lines at the end of the spray is also a simple operation with a build in 200lt fresh water tank and electric valves to manage flushing procedure.
Every vineyard owner and manager is looking to increase returns and reduce costs, especially in the current economic environment. Our sprayer must provide definitive efficiency increases over existing designs without detracting from the quality of the end result.
Solution: Nothing wastes spraying time like driving back and forward from the filling station so we designed a tank with increased capacity (2400l) that still fits into a 1.8m row spacing. This gives over 2 hectares more spraying time from a fill than the traditional tanks size of 2000l.
Built in fresh water tank makes flushing quick and easy.
Sprayers are renowned for producing drift which can cross into neighbouring properties, reserves, roads and create annoyance and public outcry as well as potentially serious damage. Our sprayer must provide a solution to this issue.
Solution: The Weber tangential fan delivery system produces one of the lowest spray drift rates of any delivery system on the market today. Even when spraying in wind conditions that would typically shut down other delivery systems, the Weber fans will continue to provide an even, regular application without the large 'clouds' of chemical that you see around other machines. Weber fans put the chemical onto the vine where you need it, not into the air and on the ground.
