THERE are some things about having so-called ‘fruits’ or new technology, that just makes work a bit easier.

And if you’re spraying, the bonus is maximising windows of opportunity to achieve high weed kill rates.

For Chapman Valley farmer Ian Grant, who replaced his Croplands RoGator 5000 litre tank capacity 1386B model with a new 6000L tank capacity1300C model, comparing performance between the two models is almost chalk and cheese.

And that’s despite the 1386B living up to expectations with high productivity and weed kill efficiency.

It’s the ‘fruit’ that makes the 1300C a dream to operate.

Take its trade-marked SmartDrive system, which links the tractor management system and drive functions, so no operator input is needed. 

The tractor management system controls engine RPM and hydrostatic drives, and operators who have tractor management systems, know how efficient they are at providing the greatest torque curves at the lowest RPM.

Croplands says SmartDrive adds to this with even better fuel economy because the operator can match RPM to operating speed. In fact Croplands claim the 1300C provides 24 per cent more fuel saving than its B Series predecessor with an operating consumption of about 15 litres an hour.

For Ian, who highly rates the SmartDrive system, he averages 11L/hr and has further enhanced fill times with a front-fill system to bypass all pumps which allows him a five minute fill-time from his nurse tank.

SmartDrive also features two-speed cruise control – one for ‘in-paddock’ and the other for ‘end-row turn’- from its all-wheel traction control with a single-hydrostatic, four-wheel drive system. Shuttle shift makes changing direction fast and easy.

Croplands believe this is an industry first that provides power to the wheels with no slip.

If the system senses a wheel slipping, it diverts power to the wheels that still have grip to keep the sprayer moving.

In undulating and boggy conditions, it’s a handy feature and Mr Grant also likes the 

Another big feature is a fully pressurised circulating boom with three circuits, providing even pressure across the boom to within plus or minus 1psi.

Called FlowLogic, this re-circulation plumbing keeps product moving through the boom, plumbing and filters to reduce chemical build-up and help eliminate blocked nozzles.

The boom is certainly easier to clean. There’s no sediment build-up and all the chemical gets recovered back to the tank.

Ian Grant, Chapman Valley WA

An optional Capstan PinPoint system uses blended pulse width modulation technology to achieve complete individual nozzle control.

In conjunction with the self-priming boom, it means instantaneous and constant spray pattern to eliminate over and under-spraying.

“It’s an excellent feature because I’ve got irregular-shaped paddocks so it eliminates a lot of overlap and scorch,” Mr Grant said.

“It’s also worth mentioning that with this new spray system we can comfortably spray 120 litres a hectare of water rates up to 30km/h.”

Mr Grant also likes the auto-height boom control which he says is a “huge plus” in undulating country and “the reaction time is good”.

Then there’s the LiquidLogic system, which helps operators simplify their jobs, reduce potential for off-target application, make clean-out faster, easier and more thorough and reduce product waste.

“It used to be a huge issue decontaminating with SU residues before spraying canola and we’re also using Intervix from brome and wild oats in wheat and that can be flushed out before using the RR canola sprays,” Mr Grant said.

Other key features of the LiquidLogic system include a “hold at minimum” pressure setting across the boom that helps ensure a consistent spray pattern to keep product on target at low speed and the ability to maintain a +/- one psi variation across the boom.

Section control for either 35 sections with 25cm (10in) or 37.5cm (15in) spacings or 36 sections with 50cm (20in) spacings, are standard with the AgControl rate controller.

Finally, variable displacement control of the product pump manages and limits speed to 5000 rpm to help prevent pump failure.

ClearFlow recovery is how Croplands describes the industry’s first full-recovery system. Air is used to force product from the boom back into the tank, leaving less than 10 litres in the system while a self-priming boom enables product flow through the entire boom once the product pump and recirculation are turned on.

In addition Mr Grant also opted for a WEED-IT spot spraying system which entails fitting cameras on the boom with appropriate wiring harnesses.

“It’s a bit of a hassle but it converts the RoGator into a spot-sprayer,” Mr Grant said.

 According to WEED-IT it has the best sensors on the market to recognise chlorophyll making it just as effective in the dark.

“I reckon I’ll get my investment back in two years with the chemical I’ll save,” Mr Grant said.

I’m estimating I’ll save between 80 and 90 per cent on chemicals.

Ian Grant

In the cab of the 1300C, a 26 centimetre touch-screen AccuTerminal allows intuitive, easy-to-learn control and monitoring of machine functions, such as the new cruise control and shuttle shift speed along with drive sensitivities, headland control and tractor management system (TMS).

The AccuTerminal can be used to access functions within the re-designed AgControl rate and section control system as well as spray functions such as pressures, auto agitation, boom clean-out, product rinse and recovery.

Automatic guidance and AGCO’s full suite of Fuse precision application, documentation and machine tracking tools are all controlled through this single operating terminal.

Dual-band cellular plus world-wide satellite connections, allow machine tracking and performance through Fuse Connected Services via AgCommand.

Originally published in Farm Weekly as “RoGator ‘fruit’ makes spraying a breeze”, Ken Wilson.

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The RoGator C Series from Croplands has changed the game in professional-grade application. Designed to deliver more precise application, the RoGator C Serves has croppers from around Australia reporting extensive fuel savings, with an average of 23% on the new model when compared to the previous RoGator B Series.

Key to this is the revolutionary SmartDrive system which not only enables the C Series to burn less fuel, it also makes life easier for the operator.

Long-time RoGator owner Scott Smith from Baboo Pastoral Company, Green Range WA has recently taken delivery of a new RoGator C Series and he is already seeing positive impacts to his operation.

The new C Series uses noticeably less fuel and lower engine revs mean a smoother drive and a lightweight feeling in the cab.

Scott Smith, Baboo Pastoral Company WA

Engine RPM in the RoGator C Series is managed automatically to deliver drive and system performance, even in changing soil and terrain conditions resulting in fuel savings, reduction in wear and minimised operator fatigue.

Each wheel is monitored by a speed sensor, meaning that if any of the wheels start slipping the power to the ground is adjusted at the individual wheel motor. Like a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in a tractor, the tractor management system (TMS) controls the engine in conjunction with the transmission to adjust RPM automatically as required. This feature of the SmartDrive enables the engine to run at the ideal RPM resulting in a cooler system that burns less fuel and reduces wear on the engine.

Further adding to the comfort of the ride is turn compensation. The speed sensors register that the machine is turning on the headland and cause the inside wheel motors to operate at a different RPM to the outside wheel motors – reducing the soil disturbance on corners.

Scott crops a combination of canola, barley and wheat on his property located 80 kilometres from Albany. Depending on summer rainfall and weed and pest pressures, he averages between five and six spray passes each year at an application rate of 80 litres per hectare.

“We are averaging 1000 hours a year in the RoGator. In the first two months with the new machine, we’ve done 300 hours” says Scott.

With large hectares to cover, making daily spray operations more productive is key.

The RoGator C Series LiquidLogic system – arguably the world’s most advanced liquid-system technology – is designed with productivity in mind. It has a full boom recirculation system with E-Stop valves on each nozzle body, enabling on/off control at the nozzle body. The LiquidLogic system also keeps chemical in suspension – enabling the operator to prime the boom on the way to the paddock, eliminating downtime.

The one-piece boom allows for product recovery, which can be performed by the operator from the cab. This feature is a real money saver when weather conditions suddenly change and any unused product in the pump, manifold or boom can be returned to the tank until weather conditions improve and the operator can prime the boom again and resume spraying.

The LiquidLogic system also features auto-agitation which is especially important when applying powders or granular chemical products. It automatically agitates product in the tank as the tank level increases/decreases which eliminates foaming in the tank.

This will be Scott’s fourth RoGator having previously owned B Series models.

RoGators are tough and reliable sprayers with minimal mechanical issues. Technical support and service provided by the service agents is also excellent.

Scott Smith, Baboo Pastoral Company WA

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The RoGator C Series Self Propelled sprayer is packed full of features designed to drive efficiencies on farm and make life easier for Australian croppers.

Key to this is the sprayer’s LiquidLogic application system, which offers individual control at each nozzle body through 35 sections of the boom – helping operators better target the spray as well as offering more precise rates and a more effective cleanout.

The system also enables boom recirculation, allowing spray products to be continuously filtered in the tank and letting booms be primed on the way to the paddock, saving time and chemical before starting to spray.

Andrew Graham and Kerry McFarlane from Victoria’s Southern Mallee recently took delivery of a new RoGator RG1300C fitted with 48m aluminium Pommier boom and they are already seeing positive impacts on their spraying program.

Andrew and Kerry farm 2900 hectares in Cannie, Victoria – 55km south of Swan Hill – cropping a combination of wheat, barley, canola, field peas, lentils and vetch.

Depending on summer rainfall and weed and pest pressures, they average between four and ten spray passes each year at an application rate of 80 to 100 litres per hectare.

Since taking possession of the new RoGator in February, Andrew and Kerry have already sprayed over 8000ha. With travel speeds of between 20 and 22 kms and the addition of the 48m Pommier boom, they are able to quickly and efficiently travel across paddocks.

This is the couple’s first self-propelled unit having previously operated a trailing sprayer.

With boom width being a key consideration when they were deciding on the purchase of a self-propelled sprayer, the optional 48m Pommier boom offered the best solution for a lighter, stronger and wider boom.

The 48m boom allows us to cover more land, quicker and will result in less wheel tracks when crop topping later in the season

Andrew Graham, Cannie VIC

Andrew has also been impressed with the low engine RPM and corresponding fuel efficiency along with the smooth ride and operator comfort.

Engine RPM in the RoGator C Series is managed automatically to deliver drive and system performance, even in changing soil and terrain conditions resulting in fuel savings, reduction in wear and minimised operator fatigue.

Andrew purchased his RoGator from local St Arnaud dealership, Precision Farming Solutions, where he is also able to source spare parts for his machine if needed.

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