SPRAYERS
Mallee-bound Hardi Australia is branching out into Victoria’s Mallee Region after signing a new deal with the Mildura base of distributors Haeusler’s Group
Above: One of Hardi Australia’s Rubicon sprayers, this one with a 54m boom.
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aeusler’s Group will begin distributing sprayers from Hardi International, including the Rubicon model, from its Mildura base this year after signing a deal with Hardi Australia. Under the deal, Haeusler’s Mildura will keep a Hardi Rubicon 9000 sprayer with a 48m boom in stock, configured with the company’s H-Select Nozzle Technology. The branch will also sell and support Hardi’s range of trailed sprayers. Haeusler’s Group manager Justin MacFarlane says the Hardi range will enable the Mildura dealership to serve “every need of its extensive broadacre clientele”. “We always look for equipment that is a clear leader in the market,” he says. “Hardi’s broadacre equipment has been gaining momentum for some time, so we are excited about the solutions we can
provide for our growers and contractors in the Mallee region.” Hardi’s Victoria territory manager Graham Wilkinson says the move will be a great opportunity for both businesses. “When it comes to spraying, it’s no news that farmers are seeking new technologies, higher capacity and boom widths,” he says. “With Hardi sprayers soon in its portfolio, Haeusler’s will have greater ability to respond to customers’ needs. So we are very excited about that.” Haeusler’s Group currently has bases in Mildura, Sea Lake, Robinvale, Echuca and Shepparton, employing 130 staff across the company. Hardi Australia operates from an extensive facility in Adelaide, and the majority of Hardi sprayers sold in Australia and New Zealand are built in South Australia.
Left: The new Miller 7420 sprayer in action.
broad reach Moving onto a wider boom is helping one WA farming family keep their new sprayer going for the long term
44 TradeFarmMachinery.com.au
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pgrading to a 48m spray boom from their previous 36m unit was a big move for the Ward family, based near Mingenew in Western Australia, but they’re confident the change will pay off. Husband Sam, wife Chloe and daughters Ada (2) and Wren (four months) have been farming a 9,000 hectare property near Mingenew since 2015, after becoming involved in the wider family farming operation. Located predominantly in the Three Springs Shire, the mostly yellow sandplain country grows similar areas of canola, lupins and wheat. They also run about 200 Charolais breeders. The Ward family have been long time users of Miller sprayers, typically turning them over after around 1,700 hours of use – and their most recent upgrade saw them buy the latest Nitro 7420 sprayer, complete with a 48m Pommier boom option. Sam says he is confident the new model will be with the family for four to five years, noting that the wider boom helps them cover more hectares per hour.
“We are getting an extra 400ha out of a tank of fuel, so a total of 900ha, travelling at spraying speeds of 22–32km/h depending on the conditions,” he says. Equipped with a specific Miller centre frame and a standard hydraulic anti-yaw, the boom also has corrosion resistance features, with surface oxidisation protecting the aluminium. “I find the Pommier boom rides better than our previous 120foot (36m) boom,” he adds. “Going over deep-ripped land with our 5000 Series sprayer also used to be a task for it, but this latest machine just charges along.” The Wards operate a twin tiered spray line system on the Pommier boom and can have up to three tiers. “We have a 250mm spacing between the nozzles and at a slower speed, one every second nozzle operates. At the next speed level, a slightly different size nozzle can kick-in,” Sam says. “You can have a smaller nozzle in between the 250mm-spaced nozzles. It helps to optimise your pressures as you increase your speeds. “Rather than running electric cables, we just have air lines and the air supply activates the nozzles on and off,” he adds. The front-mounted Miller sprayers are also an advantage for spraying in dusty conditions during summer, Sam says, adding they were able to tailor nozzles in front of the wheels and use two nozzles near the rear wheels to minimise dust effects. Automated filling and rinsing controls are another standard inclusion with the Miller Nitro 7000 Series, ensuring maximum filling efficiency. Miller sprayers are distributed nationally by McIntosh Distribution and the Wards secured their latest machine through local dealer, McIntosh & Son at Geraldton.
THE TRACTOR YOU WANT IS NOW EASIER TO FIND
11/02/2021 5:09:03 PM
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