AMAZONE enhances spray tech range

German spraying expert AMAZONE has released two new smart technologies for its sprayer line-up, each designed to make spraying easier and more efficient for farmers.

The Distance Control 'Plus' boom guidance system automatically maintains the optimum distance between the nozzle and its target surface, while the AmaSelect electric control system automatically selects the best nozzle for spraying according to operating conditions.

Distance Control 'Plus'

AMAZONE's Distance Control 'Plus' boom guidance system uses four sensors mounted along the length of the boom to maintain an optimum height between the spray boom and ground surface, allowing for more targeted spraying and less drift.

"Producers and contractors are wanting to travel faster and to reduce the target distance above crops to less than 50cm," says AMAZONE Product Manager, Craig Hopkins.

"Having one sensor on each boom half may not provide sufficient accuracy under difficult conditions, such as differing crop heights found in patchy or lodged crops, which could cause the boom to dip into the crop.

"The fitting of additional sensors allows a much larger surface of the crop to be scanned.

"The regulating software then determines the optimal boom height, even at higher forward speeds and reduced target heights."

AmaSelect nozzle technology

AMAZONE claims its innovative AmaSelect automatic nozzle control technology can reduce spray costs by up to 10 per cent, depending on the field size, working width and the number of part-width sections used.

It automatically selects the best nozzle for spraying according to operating conditions. It is currently available for its UX trailed sprayers and the Pantera self-propelled sprayer.

AmaSelect features four individually controlled nozzles in carriers that are positioned at 50cm intervals.

"By itself, the automatic control of individual nozzles can reduce overlap and chemical costs by five per cent," says AMAZONE Product Manager, Craig Hopkins.

"Used in combination with AMAZONE GPS-Switch section control, AmaSelect can slash crop protection costs by another five per cent."

The operator enters the optimum pressure range for each nozzle type fitted on the carriers into the ISOBUS operator terminal.

AmaSelect then automatically selects and activates the best nozzle according to the desired application rate and forward speed.

Once the optimum pressure range of a nozzle is reached, AmaSelect switches over to a smaller or bigger nozzle, or adds a second nozzle to the spray circuit.

In turn, GPS-Switch uses GPS guidance to switch off individual nozzles in 50cm part-width sections as the unit approaches headlines and other obstacles.

Alternatively, the operator can determine nozzle selection for each part-width section without leaving the cabin.

"This feature is a particularly useful benefit for spraying contractors who often operate across many different tramline systems," Hopkins says.

"In practical terms, it allows nozzle selection to be optimally matched to different working widths."

Standard fittings include LED lighting on each nozzle and the DUS pro high-pressure recirculation system.

"DUS pro ensures the spray lines are always filled with a homogeneous mix and are ready to operate at full dose immediately over the entire working width," Hopkins says.

"This prevents deposits, blockages and segregation within the spray line, even when the nozzles have been switched off."

Options include an intermediate kit that enables nozzles to be fitted at 25cm intervals for high-volume application or the target height to be reduced to less than 50cm.