High Tech Sprayer Built For Less Than $16,000

High Tech Sprayer Built For Less Than $16,000 SPRAYING New Sprayers 30-6-25 Leon Becker and Norbert Meyer of Conway Springs, Kansas, wanted a 4-WD self-propelled sprayer like a Ro-Gator, but couldn't justify the expense. So they bought a used, semi-mounted, 60-ft. spray boom, then bought a used International Harvester 3588 articulated, 4-WD tractor equipped with a 3-pt. hitch and pto and mounted the boom on it. They fitted the tractor with dual wheels, a pair of 300-gal. saddle tanks, a Raven 440 controller with Ag Leader guidance, a Raven 3-boom valve assembly, a Squibb Sky-Track SK100 GPS receiver, and a Trimble E-Z Guide Plus automatic steering system. The tractor's pto is used to operate a sprayer pump. "It has many of the same high tech features found on high dollar, self-propelled sprayers, yet cost less than $16,000 to build," says Becker. "The high tech equipment brings this sprayer up to today's standards and also makes the sprayer fun to operate." The boom is a modified Service Systems Engineering model (Jackson, Minn.). It's built in three sections and rides on a pair of big gauge wheels. A spray nozzle is located at both ends, allowing the men to spray into fence lines. They converted the tractor's gas tank, located behind the seat, to a fresh water tank that has a hose reel on it. The tank can be used to wash off the boom, provide water for a foam marker system, and for washing their hands. "We spent a lot more on technology than we originally intended to, but it was worth it," says Becker. "We've used it on about 15,000 acres during the past five years with no problems. We bought the spray boom from a Kansas farmer, who had recently bought a Ro-Gator and put the tractor-mounted boom up for sale. "The IH 3588 tractor isn't the best field tractor in the world, but it makes a fantastic sprayer tractor because it's 4-WD and relatively lightweight. We can go right through low spots and over terraces with no problems. There are a lot of these tractors out there that aren't being used any more and they're reasonably priced. The only limitation is that with an articulated tractor we have to be careful we don't turn too short and over-correct, which snaps the heavy boom around and stresses the 3-pt. hitch. "The boom is built heavy, and the gauge wheels help it float over the ground. We don't have to worry about raising and lowering the boom on our terraced ground." The E-Z Steer guidance system was originally designed to mount on a tractor's steering column, which doesn't work on an IH 3588 tractor. So they made mounting brackets and mounted it on the cab's frame. They get multiple use out of the guidance and steering systems. "We use the same Ag Leader guidance and E-Z steer systems on four different tractors for planting, spraying, anhydrous application and field work," says Becker. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Leon Becker, 633 N. Conway Springs Rd., Conway Springs, Kansas 67031 (ph 620 456-2265; silo23@havilandtelco.com).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.