TRS Wholesale and fan supplier Weber Germany have developed a concept design for one of the world’s first fully electrically operated trailed orchard tower sprayer.
A key part in the FMR Sprayers, is the Weber Tangential fan system, continual development over time has led to a robust, reliable and more efficient fan system, a simple design which is extremely power efficient, making it the perfect fan to incorporate into an e-sprayer. Passionate about environmental impacts on orchards and vineyards, Weber began the E Tangential fan drive program 5 years ago.
After being approached by Mike Casey and Euan White at NZ0 (New Zealand Zero), we began our own E-sprayer journey, to find a sprayer solution for their emission free orchard in Cromwell, New Zealand.
Identifying markets where there are impending releases of E-tractor technology in the global market, TRS Wholesale and Weber joined forces to elevate the orchard and vineyard E-sprayer program to supply a commercial working prototype as a concept design in the form of the FMR EO1 Orchard Tower Sprayer.
The FMR EO1 Sprayer and fan technology delivers targeted air and spray plume coverage, is a high-performance sprayer and is easy to set up and operate.
Developed specifically to optimize spray applications for newer growing structures, such as Central leader and 2D, the sprayer is ideally suited to pip and stone fruit crops.
The EO1 concept sprayer has been designed and built without compromising the quality, performance and safety of any FMR Sprayer. The ease of setup and operation, spray coverage quality through seasonal growth evolution, ability to adapt to suit weather conditions, profiled tower and the use of Tangential fan technology to reduce operating power requirements is all uncompromised in this E prototype sprayer.
The sprayer specifications built to suit NZ0’s zero emission orchard are as follows:
- 1500L Poly main spray tank
- 17L Freshwater hand wash tank
- 120L Freshwater spraying flushing tank
- Hot dip galvanized chassis and boom
- Genuine Weber Tangential fans with 10 nozzle quick caps fitted to a wet boom system
- Auto spray rate controller
- E-drive spray pump drive 72 lpm capacity @ 10 bar. (230 volt AC)
- E-drive fan operating range of 750 – 1150 rpm. (230 volt to 48 volt DC)
- Auto fan speed controller including individual fan on / off function
- Tangential fans are used to improve delivery in all canopies
- Maximum treatable canopy height 3100mm
- Minimum operating row width 1900mm
- Single ADR axle equipment with 13.0/55-16 14 ply high quality tyres
- Mudguards included
Static power requirements for a standard sprayer:
750rpm fan speed at maximum spray operating volume and pressure = 2.4km (3.22 Mechanical hp)
1100rpm fan speed at maximum spray operating volume and pressure = 3.6km (4.83 Mechanical hp)
Whilst the EO1 Orchard Sprayer is currently a working concept design, alongside NZ0, we will be monitoring the machine over the next couple of seasons. If you wish to keep up with any updates from FMR and the EO1 Sprayer, be sure to follow us on social media.
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