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SARDI reports Croplands’ new Quantum Mist Citrus Sprayer provides excellent coverage

Preliminary trials undertaken by Geoff Furness from SARDI on the newly released Quantum Mist™ Citrus Sprayer, manufactured by Croplands Spray Equipment, have found that the sprayer provides excellent coverage and spray droplet deposition on orange trees with dense foliage.

The trials were undertaken in two separate orchards.  One in Sunlands near Waikerie, South Australia on medium size Washington Navel orange trees and another in Colignan, VIC on medium sized Valencia orange trees.

The aim of the tests were to provide initial data on spray coverage and spray droplet deposition on citrus foliage, at a medium spray volume, to determine the potential for Quantum Mist™ technology for spray application to citrus and other fruit tree crops.

The new Croplands Quantum Mist™ Citrus Sprayer features a 3000 or 4000 litre, UV-stabilised polyethylene tank.  Eight 500mm hydraulically driven axial-type Quantum Mist™ fan heads are fitted standard – four per side.  The unique SARDI 5-blade fans are driven simultaneously from the tractor oil supply or from a separate oil supply system as an option.  Each fan has a strong, smooth finish roto-molded cowl, a fully enclosed 20mm liquid supply tube and can be fitted with up to sixteen nozzles per head.

The multi-head spraying concept was initiated by SARDI a number of years ago. This concept combines the advantages of excellent coverage, high travel speed operation, high work rate, low power input, flexibility and suitability for directed air spraying in tree and vine crops, as well as the flexibility for both high and low volume spraying (Furness 2002and 2003).  These advantages have led to the current popularity of the Quantum Mist™
sprayer in grapevines and many other crops.  The concept is based on the theory
that large
volumes of low velocity air, direct blast, with no ducting or “bending” of the airstream gives the best coverage with the lowest power inputs (Furness and Pinczewski 1985, Randall 1971).

Other standard features include an AR 250 l/min positive displacement diaphragm pump for liquid supply to nozzles and for agitation.  A full filtration system consisting of a filling lid strainer, large suction filter, pressure filter and optional nozzle filters takes care of keeping the nozzle free of blockages.

The chassis is hot-dip galvanised, full-length, with a handy pull-out step and adjustable axle position. The mast is hydraulically extendable offering a folding top section for tree height adjustment and/or folding for transport.

An electric in-cab control or a fully automatic spray-rate controller can be fitted to take care of liquid control. Also available on the auto rate controller option is a function for tree-row volume spraying in litres per 100 metres, and optional data logging of the spraying operation.

A single axle, suspended, with 400 x 22.5 flotation tyres is standard.  A tandem axle suspension with four 11.5/80 x 15.3” tubeless tyres is optional.

For more information, contact Croplands on 1800 999 162, or visit the website at www.croplands.com.au.