Goldacres G4V Crop Cruiser sprayer review

When Farmmachinerysales.com.au recently attended the Goldacres Expo18 open house event, we also jumped at the opportunity to put its latest self-propelled sprayer, the G4V Crop Cruiser, through its paces.

Launched midway through last year, the G4V is designed and built at the main Goldacres production facility (and headquarters) on the outskirts of Ballarat, Vic, and with its four-wheel steering and subsequent ultra-tight turning circle, narrow wheel tracks and slow-speed spraying precision, it has the needs of the horticultural industry firmly in mind.

Taking full advantage of a 'Ride and Drive' session conducted in an expanse of paddock located a five-minute drive from the Goldacres HQ, we jumped in a G4V 4030 – as in, a G4V fitted with a 4000-litre tank and a 30-metre boom.

The 4000-litre tank is standard for the G4V, while the 30-metre boom lies mid-pack in the G4V line-up – the sprayer can also be specified with a boom width of 18, 24, 33 or 36 metres.

The hydro-mechanical difference

A major standout from Goldacres' G4, G6 and G8 Crop Cruisers, which are suited to dry-land broadacre spraying, is the G4V's hydro-mechanical drive system. Where the broadacre sprayers traditionally feature an Allison automatic transmission, the G4V relies on a combination of hydrostatic and mechanical drive systems.

This sees the Cummins QSB engine – a Tier 3, 4.5-litre, four-cylinder unit good for a claimed 165hp (123kW) – mated to a Danfoss hydraulic pump and then a two-speed transfer case with centre diff lock for full-time four-wheel drive operation.

The benefit? The hydro-mechanical transmission essentially allows for precise spraying down to walking pace or lower, while the on-board computer adjusts engine revs to match the set speed to maximise fuel economy – as low as 14 litres per hour, says Goldacres. The hydro-mechanical setup also maintains precise speed settings as gradients change, in conditions that could well see a broadacre sprayer build or lose speed (along with effective coverage).

A speed mode switch affords three different driving modes to encompass a wide range of driving conditions; the switch alters the displacement of the hydraulic motor to increase or decrease torque as required.

With the two-speed transfer case, the G4V is capable of everything from a crawl up to a maximum open-road speed of 40km/h, making road transport a relatively painless affair.

Comfortable cab

The transmission is also remarkably quiet – or at least it is when you're ensconced in the comfortable cabin. Access is via a sturdy set of drop-down step leading to fixed upper steps with handrails. It's an air-driven setup, with air pressure raising the lower steps once the engine is running and the steps dropping down under gravity once the G4V has been shut down.

The cab really is a quality affair. Sourced from Europe, the fit and finish of the various panels and trim is top notch, while operators benefit from a Grammar air-suspension seat with twin armrests and a wide range of adjustment.

There's climate-control air-conditioning, an air-adjustable steering column, a ducted overhead storage box for keeping drinks cool, an AM/FM radio with Bluetooth connectivity, a pull-down front blind and three charging options: two USB points and a 12-volt outlet.

The console with the propulsion lever and rotary speed dial also features a moulding with cup holder and storage tray, and there's a fold-down passenger seat next to the main Grammar seat.

Ease of operation

After firing the thing up via the standard key ignition, it's simply a matter of pushing the joystick forward and setting your desired maximum speed with the nearby speed dial. It's a supremely easy-to-use system and all the main controls – including those for the boom – are located right where you want them, on or next to the joystick.

The cab has a sturdy vinyl flooring that should stand the test of time and the full-length front and side glass, the effective mirrors and the high travel height deliver superb vision ahead and to the sides, as well as – to a lesser degree – over the tank to the rear.

The G4V rides on 46-inch diameter wheels with soft-riding airbag suspension at all four corners, and Goldacres says the switchable four-wheel steering delivers a very modest turning circle of 2.9 metres to make light work of tight headlands (when fitted with 380/90R46 tyres and the minimum wheel track of 1810mm).

Safety is always a priority, and the system automatically reverts to two-wheel steering at speeds of over 15km/h, to reduce the chance of rollover. Once two-wheel steering is activated, the rear wheels self-centre.

Up to 16 track widths

A wide range of rowcrop applications are catered for thanks to the high number of available dish and rim configurations to alter track width. In fact, operators can choose from up to 16 track widths, ranging from 1810mm to 2366mm, with special wheel track widths available upon request.

The relatively flat and obstacle-free paddock meant our test drive wasn't troubled by steep gradients or obstacles, but we appreciated the ease with which the Goldacres TriTech boom could be manipulated via the joystick-mounted buttons.

The TriTech boom suspension has a three-way system that works with the chassis airbag suspension to minimise the boom's pitch, roll and yaw, with shock absorbers, hydraulic cylinders and accumulators working together to achieve, smooth, even and precise spraying.

A wide choice of nozzles are available, while Goldacres says its booms can be configured with virtually any nozzle-spacing format.

When it comes to modern ag technology, the G4V can be optioned up with a wide array of flow control systems, from basic solutions to cutting-edge setups. Leading systems from Raven, TopCon, John Deere, Trimble and Ag Leader can be accommodated, among others, while ISO BUS compatibility means multiple systems can be brought together on the one VT (virtual terminal) display.

The verdict

Goldacres has been producing sprayers right here in Australia since 1978 and self-propelled sprayers since the late 1990s, and all that hard-won expertise and know-how is evident in spades in the G4V Crop Cruiser.

That a family-owned Aussie company can power on in the face of major international competition bears testament to the quality, durability and innovation of its products. The G4V Crop Cruiser is just the latest in a long line of these innovations, and it looks set to deliver excellent results for farmers seeking world-class solutions backed by local support and service.

Related reading:
Goldacres debuts 8000-litre self-propelled sprayer