Quantum Mist receives upgrades

Croplands’ tried and tested Quantum Mist vineyard sprayer has received a suite of upgrades in 2019 to make it smarter and more efficient.

The new features were developed with the help of parent company Nufarm and several industry experts around the world.

The new Fusion Controller has a full colour touch screen with integrated joystick control that manages both sprayer and boom functions.

Operators can also control precision row width, fan positioning, and upwind and downwind air speed with the new controller.

With the help of a unique hydraulic system, the right amount of air is delivered every time to optimise spray efficacy and drift containment in difficult or exposed situations.

Another new feature is the QM-420 fan that Croplands said produces even more turbulent, directional air than its predecessor to penetrate the canopy and deliver maximum coverage to the crop.

With the addition of a uniquely designed Dual Spray Ring, customers can achieve flexible spray rates without compromising on spray quality, Croplands added.

“Customers are time poor and don’t always change spray nozzles when they should,” said Cropland’s General Manager, Sean Mulvaney.

“This new dual spray ring design allows the operator to apply a low, medium or higher rate without changing nozzles. Potential drift is reduced as spray quality is maintained with a more consistent spray pressure,” he said.

An optional, modular Drift Reduction and Recapture System is also available with the new Quantum Mist unit.

“Unlike dedicated recapture systems where full season spraying efficacy can be compromised and high maintenance costs are common concerns, the Croplands concept is a simple but effective design with no moving parts,” Mulvaney said.

Inner or inner and outer ‘Smart Screens’ can be attached to reduce potential drift and return captured spray back to the main product tank.

The modular design can then be removed later in the season when the benefits of recapture reduce.

“Ultimately, we set out to design a new sprayer system that provides great benefits without compromising coverage and we have certainly achieved that,” Mulvaney said.

“The best grape sprayer really has got even better.”