What sprayer?

[Highashgrange]

Hello, I’m looking at taking back our spraying in hand. We’ve had a contractor for a number of years but the timing of applications is getting worse and I think it’s expensive. Basically it’s a total workload of 3000-3500ac per year depending on rotation. We’re paying between £12,000 and £14,000 per year for average service in my view. I’ve got time to do it myself so thinking about buying something for about £40,000 but I’m a bit out the loop sprayer wise as the last one I had was a mounted 21m many years ago. My current contractor is running on 36m with a 5000l tank and I like how it covers the ground quickly but don’t like how much the boom moves around. It has got auto boom height but it doesn’t work well really.
Clearly I can’t justify anything new and fancy but what’s anybody’s suggestion?
I’ve only got one tractor so I’m thinking not a mounted because I don’t want to be taking it on and off all the time. Also we do quite a bit of road work towing a trailer so not sure row crops would be ideal for that.
Trailed maybe but then again still got the row crop issue or an older SP would be the best solution. So should we make the move back to 24m? or do I look for something 36m?
I’ve been thinking about this for a few weeks and going round in circles so looking for a bit of enlightenment from the forum

 

[daveydiesel1]

Why not get a jcb fastrac with demount sprayer and then ud have a second tractor if ur own broke down

 

[Al R]

Some seriously nice Bateman RB35’s for sale at the moment. Personally I’d go Bateman, Sands/Knight, Househam in that order if 36m.
@Nametab

 

[haybob]

I don't think I would bother with row crops at that width.

 

[Al R]

Avison has some nice sprayers but on that acreage I’d be prepared to spend a bit more and then have it longer, maybe move to liquid N to justify it more?

 

[Wigeon]

I did exactly this and bought a tier 1 Bateman on 36m booms for that money. That was in 2014 and it's still going strong and do liquid fert through it too. Dont have to travel with it thankfully, as it's very slow on the road

 

[Andy26]

Trailed 36m, no need for row crops at that width, so a tractor on 650s or 710s be ideal.

 

[daveydiesel1]

Is liquid fert dearer or cheaper than standard fert and will any sprayer work with it or do u need special nozzles?

 

[BRB John]

3500Acres and you can't justify a new sprayer! yeah I would be doing liquid fert and decent size tramlines to save the need for row crop tyres... and probably a Amazone trailed

 

[teslacoils]

Trailed chafer.

Won't depreciate. Good on road. Solid. Sure, buy a sp but it will only take a bust wheel motor etc....

 

[JJT]

3500Acres and you can't justify a new sprayer! yeah I would be doing liquid fert and decent size tramlines to save the need for row crop tyres... and probably a Amazone trailed

I read it as 3500ac total sprayed, as in going over 700ac 5 times for example.

 

[Bobthebuilder]

You won’t get much for £40k for that acreage double your budget and get something that is a pleasure to use, not something that’s gonna need a couple of k spent on it every year to keep it going, should be a few horsch 5Lt 36m on the market nowadays, we have a 4Lt 28m on @1000ac arable 2 farms 20miles apart and it’s a pleasure to use

 

[Bobthebuilder]

Ps, imho horsch sprayer best boom ride system on the market

 

[Chae1]

You won’t get much for £40k for that acreage double your budget and get something that is a pleasure to use, not something that’s gonna need a couple of k spent on it every year to keep it going, should be a few horsch 5Lt 36m on the market nowadays, we have a 4Lt 28m on @1000ac arable 2 farms 20miles apart and it’s a pleasure to use

I just bought a brand new 4k litre 28m sprayer for 40k.

Don't know what your on about. Must be fine spending someone else's money. Don't all need a fancy Horsch.

 

[Bobthebuilder]

I just bought a brand new 4k litre 28m sprayer for 40k.

Don't know what your on about. Must be fine spending someone else's money. Don't all need a fancy Horsch.

I was as surprised as anyone when we got it, but after looking at a few the quality spoke for itself and if you want a machine with a few of the “modern extras” That will keep up with the technology for a few years it costs a little bit more, yes we could’ve got a cheaper more basic machine but that would’ve been taking a step backwards

 

[Zebbedee]

I just bought a brand new 4k litre 28m sprayer for 40k.

Don't know what your on about. Must be fine spending someone else's money. Don't all need a fancy Horsch.

Demount? Sounds well priced tbh I priced a new demount 5-6 years ago and was more than that.

 

[Zebbedee]

Hello, I’m looking at taking back our spraying in hand. We’ve had a contractor for a number of years but the timing of applications is getting worse and I think it’s expensive. Basically it’s a total workload of 3000-3500ac per year depending on rotation. We’re paying between £12,000 and £14,000 per year for average service in my view. I’ve got time to do it myself so thinking about buying something for about £40,000 but I’m a bit out the loop sprayer wise as the last one I had was a mounted 21m many years ago. My current contractor is running on 36m with a 5000l tank and I like how it covers the ground quickly but don’t like how much the boom moves around. It has got auto boom height but it doesn’t work well really.
Clearly I can’t justify anything new and fancy but what’s anybody’s suggestion?
I’ve only got one tractor so I’m thinking not a mounted because I don’t want to be taking it on and off all the time. Also we do quite a bit of road work towing a trailer so not sure row crops would be ideal for that.
Trailed maybe but then again still got the row crop issue or an older SP would be the best solution. So should we make the move back to 24m? or do I look for something 36m?
I’ve been thinking about this for a few weeks and going round in circles so looking for a bit of enlightenment from the forum

£4 an acre for spraying is not expensive tbh ( but it is if timeliness is bad)

 

[Will 1594]

You won’t get much for £40k for that acreage double your budget and get something that is a pleasure to use, not something that’s gonna need a couple of k spent on it every year to keep it going, should be a few horsch 5Lt 36m on the market nowadays, we have a 4Lt 28m on @1000ac arable 2 farms 20miles apart and it’s a pleasure to use

You maybe well to afford ,that maybe some have still paying 7 figure mortgage ,and justify what they can afford

 

[Bumble Bee]

Demount? Sounds well priced tbh I priced a new demount 5-6 years ago and was more than that. [emoji106]

I priced up a demount for a multidrive a couple of years ago and it was more than double that! Needless to say I didn't buy it.

 

[moretimeforgolf]

Hello, I’m looking at taking back our spraying in hand. We’ve had a contractor for a number of years but the timing of applications is getting worse and I think it’s expensive. Basically it’s a total workload of 3000-3500ac per year depending on rotation. We’re paying between £12,000 and £14,000 per year for average service in my view. I’ve got time to do it myself so thinking about buying something for about £40,000 but I’m a bit out the loop sprayer wise as the last one I had was a mounted 21m many years ago. My current contractor is running on 36m with a 5000l tank and I like how it covers the ground quickly but don’t like how much the boom moves around. It has got auto boom height but it doesn’t work well really.
Clearly I can’t justify anything new and fancy but what’s anybody’s suggestion?
I’ve only got one tractor so I’m thinking not a mounted because I don’t want to be taking it on and off all the time. Also we do quite a bit of road work towing a trailer so not sure row crops would be ideal for that.
Trailed maybe but then again still got the row crop issue or an older SP would be the best solution. So should we make the move back to 24m? or do I look for something 36m?
I’ve been thinking about this for a few weeks and going round in circles so looking for a bit of enlightenment from the forum

I’m spraying a similar area each year but have the luxury of an extra tractor. We have a trailed 24m 4000l Horsch. For your budget I’d find a good used Chafer 24m, you don’t need 36m, and don’t bother with row crops. Other options are available but the Chafer has decent boom levelling and a good reputation for backup.