Application of choice
With trailed sprayer capacity commonly topping 6,000-litres, size is no longer an issue when making the decision between self-propelled and trailed machines. But there is still plenty to take into account, manufacturers suggest.
John Deere’s product sales specialist, Mark James suggests that there is a certain amount of movement from self-propelled sprayers to trailed machines and vice versa. “It really depends on farm organisation and if they can justify an extra tractor. In the UK there is a ‘cultural ambition’ to have a self-propelled machine, and trailed sprayers are certainly more popular in France and Germany.”
Reduced clearance is cited as a downside of trailed machines, but Mr James says that it is rarely an issue with UK cropping. “Weight distribution is little different except on the largest machines and similar levels of technology are available on trailed sprayers now. Ride quality from more sophisticated suspension systems is one area where selfpropelled sprayers win, especially at higher speeds, along with the ability to easily switch track width.”
Amazone UK managing director, Simon Brown says: “The choice between self-propelled and trailed still tends to be a personal one driven by convenience and manoeuvrability. The beauty of the self-propelled is that you can jump in and go, no hitching up to the tractor and, in the corners and on headlands, the shorter overall length and only having two axles to make reversing easier. The reasoning behind a trailed is affordable big tank capacity with better weight distribution over three axles, or four with the UX 11201 Super, and the ability to use the tractor at other times of the year when not spraying to make better use of the power unit.”
James Wallington, sprayer specialist for Fendt says: “Trailed sprayer technology has advanced significantly in recent years which makes trailed machines a viable alternative to a self-propelled unit. The Fendt RoGator range of trailed and self-propelled sprayers are very closely matched. When coupled to a suitable tractor, trailed sprayers are more suited to large amounts of road work with potentially increased road speeds - if a purchaser is likely to cover high road miles then a trailed unit with a suitable tractor has the potential to save a lot of time.”
Investment level is another factor, he points out: “The Fendt trailed RoGator range starts from £95,000. The faster, more versatile setup will not match the ease and precision of having a dedicated self-propelled RoGator machine which is designed for the task but represents a significant investment around £300,000.”
Joe Allen, marketing manager for Chafer Machinery notes: “The cost of a top specification tractor and trailed sprayer can be similar to a self-propelled, meaning if you have to purchase another tractor
