A guiding light on Knight
This is our third look at buying a used Knight trailed sprayer (profi 06/04 and 03/11), our original article taking in the company’s trailed tracking drawbar sprayers first launched back in 1984. Initially offered with 2,000 litre tanks and boom widths of up to 20m, the design DNA of these first KT models was carried over to the E series sprayers launched in 1997, three years later the E range divided into the mechanical tracking ES and electronic steering EU models. In 2004, Knight moved from its steered/tracking drawbar to a steered axle for the EUA series, with several other developments such as a move from a mast to pantograph boom mount and a larger range of tank capacities. From 2006, the EUA was offered with a 4,000-litre tank with a further increase to a 6,000l in 2008. At the same time, booms of up to 40m became available.
EUA models continued to see detail changes along the way until they were replaced by the 3,600 to 6,000-litre capacity Trailblazer range in 2012. EUA and early Trailblazer models now command strong money, but prices will vary for what can at first appear to be similar sprayers. What is equally important to bear in mind is that these sprayers can be upgraded or modified. Consider the following:
• The specification of the sprayer when it left the factory is not necessarily a guide to its current spec. Knight and the company’s dealers will have a record of sprayers sold, serviced or that have been modified by them. If buying from elsewhere, note the sprayer’s serial number and call a dealer or Knight to see if the sprayer has• All Knight sprayers are built to customer specifications. Although a broad outline will list the sprayer’s basics to include tank capacity and boom width, consider also boom type, nozzle bodies, type of axle suspension, control systems and more.• Knight refurbish and factory rebuild sprayers for customers. It may be possible to have a tired used buy completely refreshed or brought up to a more modern specification but check with Knight. It may be more cost effective to buy a sprayer that does not need as much work to get it up to spec.• E and later EUA sprayers are still up to front line service if in good order, but the most readily available examples have a 24m boom and possibly the smaller tanks offered at the time. The same may apply to early Trailblazer models.• A sprayer coming in as a dealer trade-in will typically have a customer lined up to buy it, particularly if it has a good specification and a wider working width. Be prepared to wait for the right sprayer, demand currently outstripping supply.
