Acreages of high-density orchards are increasing in all apple-growing areas of Canada.  The taller, spindle-like architecture of fruiting walls require a totally different approach to spraying for pests and fungi. Hol Spraying System (HSS) has developed a high-efficiency sprayer that provides growers with less drift, lower fuel consumption, more consistent coverage and increased operator safety.
    

The unique distribution system enables the grower to place the product where it needs to be and not blow right by, helping save on water use. Where growers may have used 700-1000L/ha, users are getting adequate coverage with 250-500L/ha.
    

Secondly, the distribution of air through the tower is much different than current machines on the market. The HSS uses a custom cowling on the fan to direct air evenly to all outlets of the tower sprayer, ultimately providing even distribution of product to the canopy. With this system, growers are also able to adjust the air up, down, and side-to-side based on grower needs or wind directions. This makes the system very versatile and gives the grower ownership of where the product goes. With this system there is also the option to include the woolly apple aphid support. This is a unique nozzle that can be added to the sprayer to push spray up and into the tree from a different vantage point.
    

In addition, the CF2000-3 has a lot of features that promote operator safety by reducing potential for exposure. One convenient feature is the access port separate from the tank fill port. No need to remove the basket to examine/clean the interior, and no need to remove the basket and come in contact with residues. There is also a clean water tank that supplies two venturi nozzles to rinse the tank out after a spray, limiting the exposure to growers who would have otherwise have used a pressure washer. Aside from the clean wash tank there is also an on-board hand wash tank, giving the growers access to clean water while spraying.
    

“With standard features like a clean-water tank for hand-washing and a recirculating tank-rinsing system, it’s great to see an airblast sprayer that makes operation and cleanout safer, easier and more effective,” says Jason Deveau, application technology specialist for OMAFRA.  
    

This piece of equipment comes standard with dual axle. This helps cut down on compaction. It also has the capability of moving the rear axle out by 12 inches on either side, further cutting down on ruts and compaction during the wet months. The sprayer is also whisper-quiet, cutting back on noise pollution, an ever growing issue with urban sprawl. As mentioned above, the sprayer gives the operator the ability to have control over the deposition of product, maximizing the pesticide on the intended target instead of potentially drifting into environmentally sensitive areas.
    

The H.S.S. control box has the capability of measuring the rate per ha output, nozzle output, and tank metering. This gives the opportunity for the operator to have control of all parameters from the tractor seat, limiting exposure and helping cut down on overfill.
    

The control box also comes GPS ready. With a GPS-enabled tractor, growers will now be able to link the sprayer to the tractor. The tractor can speak with the sprayer’s plc and have it shut down at the end of the row. These features brings orchardists one step closer to the autonomous sprayer.
    

Equipment is now available in Canada through N.M. Bartlett. For a video,go to:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha9ZnnWOSZk