A self-propelled sprayer with ‘tip-toe’ in-crop characteristics holds appeal for Australian cotton growers, according to British manufacturer Househam.
Its Cotton Boss model is a modification of the standard home-built version which has helped it to snare approaching a 40 percent share of the crowded UK sprayer market.
Technical support engineer Bob Muxlow says the lightweight machine is attracting interest from cotton growers worried about heavier designs sinking up to their axles in the aftermath of in-crop irrigation techniques.
“The Cotton Boss’ dry weight is just over 6 tonnes,” he said.
Mr Muxlow was speaking at Australian company GoldAcres’ inaugural Factory Expo stage at Ballarat, Victoria, where approaching 1000 visitors recently were able to clamber over an extensive range of farm sprayers.
The Househam sprayer was part of the big occasion because GoldAcres acts as a distributor for this range of UK sprayers in Australia.
Starting with the power plant, potential users can expect to get a six cylinder 169kW (236hp) Iveco turbo-diesel engine while the transmission is fully hydrostatic, offering 4WD in low, medium and high speed ranges.
Interestingly, the machine also comes with all-wheel steering to aid manoeuvrability when the going gets tough. Track width at 2m also dovetails neatly with cotton growing row spacings.
“With nice, high ground clearance and big wheels, it leaves a friendly ‘footprint’ as it passes through crops,” Mr Muxlow said.
A 24.5m wide boom with hydraulic fold, plus a 3,000L stainless steel tank that can be cleaned without difficulty makes for an attractive package for cotton growers, according to Househam.
The forward-mounted cab looks to give a good overview of the way ahead, plus, as is to be expected, it comes with an ability to manage tank recirculation, flush water, tank wash, boom flush and pump activation - all from the driver’s seat.
Naturally, the user-friendly controls are complemented by an overhead air conditioner and CD radio with Bluetooth for hands-free operation.
Cotton Boss has a counterpart in Househam’s Veg Boss unit which also trumpets its ability to get over ground as quickly as possible after irrigation work.
However, the boom arrangement is different in that it adopts and air-sleeve design spanning 12/24m, according to requirement.
A choice of glassfibgre 2,000L, 3000L or stainless steel 4000L capacity tanks may be specified.
Ballarat-based general manager, GoldAcres, Roger Richards, said farmers were always interested in seeing the extensive range of machinery it was able to offer, believing they went away from its Factory Expo with a better understanding of the quality tag associated with any of its products
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