This buyers' guide appears in the November 2017 issue of Potato Grower.
Your potatoes need their food and medicine, and you likely have neither the time nor the inclination to spoon-feed it to them. With that in mind, we present to you this application equipment buyers’ guide. The following pages include some of the most innovative equipment on the market, to provide you with the peace of mind that comes with knowing your crop is being well taken care of.
AGCO Corporation
(770) 813-9200
www.AGCOcorp.com
RoGator C Series Applicator
AGCO Corporation introduces the RoGator C Series self-propelled row crop applicators and all-new LiquidLogic system, The new technology-loaded, user-friendly RoGator and liquid application system deliver innovations needed to meet the needs of today’s crop production industry, professional applicators and growers.
The C Series’ FlowLogic recirculation plumbing keeps product moving through the boom, plumbing and filters to reduce chemical buildup and help eliminate plugged spray tips. New ClearFlow recovery, the industry’s first full-recovery system, uses air to force product from the booms or reload station back into the tank, leaving less than 2.5 gallons in systems without injection. New self-priming booms help product flow quickly through the entire boom.
Other key features of the LiquidLogic system include a “hold at minimum” pressure setting across the boom that helps ensure a consistent spray pattern to keep product on target at low speed and the ability to maintain a +/– 1 psi variation across the boom. Section control for either 35 sections with 10- or 15-inch spacing or 36 sections with 20-inch spacing are standard with the AgControl rate controller. Finally, variable displacement control of the product pump manages and limits speed to 5,000 rpm to help prevent pump failure.
Case IH
(877) 422-7344
www.caseih.com
Trident 5550 Liquid/Dry Combination Applicator
The new Trident 5550 liquid/dry combination applicator provides producers a flexible new solution to protect and feed their crops at the optimal time. Built on a row crop chassis for three seasons of use, the new machine features the optional New Leader NL4500T G4 Edge variable rate dry applicator, allowing producers to apply up to four dry products at once to meet the demands of prescriptive nutrient programs. The NL4500T G4 Edge also delivers patented precision technology to spread product faster, wider—dry fertilizer up to 120 feet and ag lime up to 60 feet—and more consistently, while advanced hydraulics support precise, independent spinner speed and conveyor control.
While in the field, producers benefit from an exclusive load-compensated suspension package and available factory-integrated dual tires. Automatic and in-cab adjustments allow operators to fine-tune settings on the go, all on the a single screen with the AFS Pro 700 or Viper 4+ controller. With the Trident 5550 Liquid System, producers can also easily switch the Trident 5550 from liquid to dry, or vice versa, in as few as 42 minutes.
CropCare Equipment
(717) 738-7365
www.cropcareequipment.com
info@cropcareequipment.com
Trailer and Three-Point Sprayers
Make use of your current tractors with CropCare’s trailer and three-point sprayers. CropCare sprayers are available in sizes up to 1,000 gallons, with booms up to 60 feet. Three-point hitch and trailer model options include automatic rate control, low- and high-pressure pumps, chemical eduction, quick fill, hydraulic boom height control, fresh water safety tank, jet agitation, toolbox, service deck/platform, and foam markers to make spraying faster and easier. The variety of features allows operators to create a sprayer that fits their specific needs and increases accuracy and efficiency. CropCare sprayers come with a factory warranty and a commitment to well-engineered equipment that meets high standards of reliability and value.
Greenleaf Technologies
(800) 881-4832
www.greenleaftech.com
sales@greenleaftech.com
TurboDrop Asymmetric DualFan Nozzles
The TurboDrop Asymmetric DualFan provides a unique combination of drift control, penetration and coverage that makes it the perfect nozzle for a wide variety of applications. The DualFan can be alternated on the sprayer boom to deliver four sprays to the target in one pass. At low pressure, droplets are generally coarse to very coarse; at higher pressure, the DualFan creates medium droplets for excellent coverage with potato fungicides, insecticides and herbicides.
Greentronics Ltd.
(519) 669-4698
www.greentronics.com
info@greentronics.com
AutoGlideXR Boom Height Controller
Greentronics’ advanced AutoGlideXR system (also known as RiteHeight) fits a wide range of sprayers and automatically maintains correct boom height over varying soil and crop conditions. The AutoGlideXR keeps sprayer booms automatically at a consistent height, eliminating the need for manual height adjustments in hilly terrain and minimizing the risk of boom contact with the ground.
The AutoGlideXR system uses rugged ultrasonic range sensors mounted near the boom tips to continually monitor and maintain the height of the booms above the ground or crop canopy. This means more consistent spray height, better spray coverage, reduced drift, and less stress and fatigue, especially when spraying at dusk or after dark.
Because the AutoGlideXR controller uses the sprayer’s existing electric-over-hydraulic controls, it can easily be installed on almost any type of sprayer. Connections are made to the solenoid valves that control the boom lift cylinders.
In the U.S., AutoGlideXR is marketed by Bestway Sales LLC of Hiawatha, Kan.
John Deere
(866) 993-3373
www.deere.com
R4050i Self-Propelled Sprayer
The R4050i is manufactured with carbon fiber booms, Deere’s PowrSpray wet system, John Deere spray nozzles and a 5,000-liter (1,320-gallon) solution tank. The R4050i travels effortlessly in all field conditions, while a range of intelligent and connected
The light weight and low inertia of the carbon boom has beneficial effects on boom stability, promoting further improved boom ride and allowing even greater spraying speeds. A rugged yet flexible material, carbon fiber allows the boom structure to flex without damage, further enhancing boom longevity. Repairs are easily carried out on farm, with no need for special tools or equipment.
New Holland Agriculture
www.newholland.com
Guardian Front Boom Sprayers
The advantages of a front mount boom compared to a rear boom are many. With a front boom, the operator gets the best of all views and never need to turn in your seat to monitor spraying action. Nozzles are located behind the boom, so the operator has a complete, unrestricted view of every nozzle. Spray is delivered into the crop before the tires go over it, eliminating the potential for dust to neutralize the spray.
The Guardian front boom sprayer lineup includes five models from 300 to 400 horsepower, with Tier 4B engines.
Guardian sprayers offer some of the industry’s largest tank sizes and six feet of ground clearance. Even weight distribution provides an ideal balance, with near equal load on each tire to maximize power to the ground while minimizing compaction. Four-wheel steering with crab-steer function is available as an option to minimize crop damage.