John Deere unveils updated R4045 sprayer

John Deere says its revised 2018-spec R4045 self-propelled sprayer boasts numerous updates, including a new lightweight carbon-fibre boom, an improved cab and the firm's ExactApply nozzle control system – said to deliver individual nozzle control, pulse-width modulation and a wider speed range while maintaining target rate and pressure.

The company says the model can now handle faster spraying speeds up to 40km/h, while the R4045 is also equipped with the updated CommandView III system – a technology transfer from the global heavyweight's tractor family.

Lighter, faster boom
Recently demonstrated at Lockhart in southern NSW, the R4045 was equipped with a carbon-fibre 36m boom boasting an auto boom unfolding time of about 50 seconds, compared to 35 seconds for the steel option.

A 40.2m boom is optional, and nozzle spacings can be customised or factory set on 38 or 50cm.

Commonly used for yacht masts, John Deere says the carbon fibre is lightweight and has a low inertia, resulting in greater boom stability.

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Hutcheon and Pearce integrated solutions manager Andrew Watt, of Wagga, said the carbon-fibre boom was 35 per cent lighter than equivalent steel models.

"The main reason John Deere went to the carbon-fibre boom was to decrease the weight across the boom, giving a more even weight ratio split over the front and rear axles, no matter what the level is in the solutions tank" he said.

"The reduced weight of the carbon fibre has allowed the boom width to go out the extra 3.6m to 40.2m.

"It has a pivoting arm supported by industrial strength HDP rope, which is light and durable.

"There are greaseless bushings in all the pivoting points meaning no maintenance, plus the carbon fibre is resistant to corrosion and fading.

"The boom tip has an 80-degree breakaway in the forward and reverse direction, while the inner arms have a 35-degree breakaway."

Easy to repair
Mr Watt said boom repair due to impacts was reduced significantly in the new model.

"Different sections can be easily repaired with a simple kit so there is no need to replace an entire section of boom," he said.

"Normally, if there is an impact or major failure on a steel boom, it involves days if not weeks of welding and repairs.

"With the repair kit, the carbon-fibre boom can be back up and running within a day."

The boom's swing link suspension translates lateral into horizontal movement, allowing spray height to be maintained and the delivery of a precise spray pattern.

This eliminates additional passes through the paddock, reducing soil compaction.

"If there is any roll on the machine itself, it doesn't transfer that to an up and down movement but rather a horizontal movement on the boom – that is an industry exclusive," Mr Watt said.

"The swing link design means the operator doesn't have to worry about impacting the ground and can get on with the job."

ExactApply nozzle control
A highlight of the R4045 is ExactApply nozzle control, giving improved spray quality, precision and speed ranges, allowing the operator to better manage drift.

ExactApply offers individual nozzle control and turn compensation.

It has air induction nozzle compatability and features programmable rates by nozzle or selection, such as a higher range behind the rear tyres.

Mr Watt described ExactApply as a "revolution for John Deere sprayers".

"This isn't just any three-tier individually controlled nozzle system – it is compatible with all our different boom widths," said Mr Watt.

"We have a six-nozzle turret of three different pairs – we can have those pairs running in multiple modes, ranging from manual for the conventional sprayer, to a 30Hz pulse where it automatically shifts between the first or second nozzle, or both running at the same time, depending on ground speed.

"This higher pulse rate gives a superior spray performance with no loss of pressure and accurate coverage.

"There is also turn compensation where each individual nozzle changes its flow rate based on ground speed relative to the machine as it turns.

"This is great in terms of not under- or over-applying product in areas.

"We also have an LED lighting system allowing operation in low light conditions and the identification of faults as they occur.

"If there is a blockage, there is an in-cab alert and the actual nozzle will flash."

Honing in on blockages
Mr Watt said a key fob allowed the operator to remotely identify blockages.

"By walking around with the key fob in your pocket, you can turn on individual sections on the entire boom or down to the individual nozzle to cycle through from left to right, or right to left," he said.

"This is ideal for checking flow rates of nozzles, looking for blockages or leaks."

Mr Watt said the sprayers came equipped with standard nozzles or could be custom plumbed.

Optional is the BoomTrac Pro height control sensor system, which maintains a more consistent boom height above the crop, reducing drift and skips.

Mr Watt said the radar system detected the ground or the crop canopy to maintain boom height without operator input.

"BoomTrac Pro gives us the ability to return to height, so if the sprayer is travelling across a crop and goes over a contour, one wing can be raised and returned back to the original height," he said.

"That can also be done from the centre-frame, and both sides."

Top-tier technology
The 4 Series sprayers are fitted with the Solution Command System allowing for complete automation at the load station with a 12-button keypad.

A micro-display provides real-time feedback on system operations and the ability to select the rinse method or monitor progress during the automated rinse function.

"It is a touch panel located at ground height at the fill station – from there we can control agitation, rinse cycles and target fills, pull-on or push-on fill the machine with either a stand-alone or on-board pump, and operate the chemical inductor system," Mr Watt said.

All the in-cab key sprayer controls are on the CommandARM control panel in the CommandView III cab.

The GreenStar display has been upgraded in the R4045 to the faster, more user-friendly Gen 4 4600 CommandCentre display.

"We can also option-up an extended monitor to give more screen real estate to have sprayer functions on one and AutoTrac on the other," Mr Watt said.

"All touch screens are swipeable, interactive, document each pass and transmits that data wirelessly to the cloud automatically.

"We can access that screen remotely as a customer or a dealer, and know what is happening on our iPad or computer at home to help with any issues.

"If any alerts pop up, we can quickly diagnose the issue – expert alerts help us identify failures before they occur."

Maximum data
The 4 Series sprayers are JDLink telematics system capable, enabling features such as wireless data transfer, remote diagnostics and remote display access.

John Deere Connect Mobile uses an Apple iPad tablet in the cab to display the sprayer's performance, and acts as a common user interface between different pieces of John Deere equipment.

Factory installed on the R4045, the system provides map layers and dashboard tiles of rate, rate deviation, pressure, ground speed, droplet size, target rate, flow rate, tank volume, productivity and fuel rate.

"This gives us the ability to identify issues earlier and to transmit data faster to stakeholders," Mr Watt said.

Operator comfort is enhanced by LED lighting, an instructor's seat, a memory console in the steering column, a redesigned ergonomic armrest, and a heated seat with a 15-degree right-hand swivel.

And, not forgetting the all-important three cup holders, USB chargers and Bluetooth.

Dependable power
The R4045 is powered by a PowerTech 9.0-litre engine rated at 346hp with a 9.6 per cent power bulge up to 379hp.

Field speeds have been increased to 40km/h and road speeds to 56 km/h.

"By having the engine located further forward over the front axle, it offsets the boom at the back so as the tank volume reduces, it allows the 56:44 per cent weight distribution to be maintained," Mr Watt said.

"Our transport speeds have always been class leading, travelling up to 60km/h in the field in transport mode back to tank, and that is the major reason why there is no need to have massive volumes of product on board.

"Turn-around times to the loading point are much quicker."

Mr Watt said the dual-strut independent-wheel air-ride suspension boasted 20cm of travel.

"That gives an incredible ride and increased stability in the boom," he said.

"There are hydraulically controlled independent wheel motors with traction control – they are diagonally opposed to result in better traction in wet conditions."

Tough tanks
The R4045 is fitted with a 4542-litre stainless steel solutions tank, with options of 3200 or 3800 litres, plus a 646-litre rinse tank.

An optional integrated direct-injection system provides additional carrying capacity of up to 889 litres and allows the injection of single, dual or triple products directly into the boom.

This assists with quicker changeovers and faster cleanouts.

"This separates the water and chemical, and only mixes them as they are needed – it's fantastic if you are changing chemicals often and don’t want to rinse out the entire tank," Mr Watt said.

The Load Command system allows 4542 litres of liquid to be loaded in just three minutes, with couplers automatically engaging and disengaging from each other while the operator remains in the cab.

"This is similar to a fighter jet with a four-inch pipe and Load Command pump able to fill the tank in three minutes," Mr Watt said.

Operators can also isolate higher-residual-risk chemicals in the direct injection system while mixing lower-risk chemicals in the solution tank.

Fuss-free rinsing
The R4045 has an automatic rinse system to reduce chemical residual build-up in the pump.

"This is designed to give a full system flush, and with the boom design having the nozzles all the way to the ends of each section, there is no chemical build-up in the ends of the pipes," Mr Watt said.

The lightweight hood, platforms and open architecture of the R4045 allows for ease of maintenance.

"There has been a major focus over the past decade on the hose routing to prevent potential wear points, especially for growers in sandy country," Mr Watt said.

The sprayer is equipped with a 590-litre fuel tank, has a turning radius of 9.2m and a total weight (with the 36m boom) of 16 tonnes.

The demo model was set on a 3m wheelbase and a crop clearance height of 147cm. It was shod with Michelin 420/95R50 tyres.

"Tread spacing for controlled traffic in different operations is hydraulically adjustable from the cab from 3m to 4m," Mr Watt said.

The John Deere R Series self-propelled sprayer lineup is priced from $348,679 (incl. GST). For more details contact your local Hutcheon & Pearce sales representative.

John Deere R4045 specifications:
Rated engine power: 258kW (346hp)
Emissions: Final Tier 4
Boom width: 27, 30 or 36m
Spray tank capacity: 4542lt
Spray speed: Up to 40km/h
Rinse tank capacity: 646lt
Fuel tank capacity: 586lt
Chemical injection method: Direct injection (optional)
Fill location: Side fill, front fill (optional), and Load Command
Chemical educator: Stainless steel
Flow meter size: 5.1cm