4-WD Pickup Converted To Self-Propelled Sprayer

4-WD Pickup Converted To Self-Propelled Sprayer PICKUPS Modifications 20-6-9 When the body rusted out on his 1975 Chevrolet 3/4-ton 4-WD pickup, Robert Lascelles, Ipava, Ill., converted it into a self-propelled sprayer equipped with a combine cab, a 500-gal. tank, and a 50-ft. boom. "The combine cab provides great visibility and makes it easy to count rows when I turn at the end of the field," says Lascelles. "Also, it has big 10.00 by 25 semi truck tires that provide a lot of clearance and flotation. I spent about $13,000 to build it but it's every bit as good as a used SpraCoupe that would sell for $26,000 or more." Lascelles stripped the pickup down to the frame, engine, and automatic transmission. The original engine was worn out so he installed a new V-8 350 cu. in. gas engine. He mounted the cab off an International 1440 combine on the frame about 8 in. ahead of the original pickup cab using four channel iron brackets fitted with the pickup's original rubber cab mounts. He mounted a used 3-section, hydraulic fold boom on back. The semi truck tires had open wheel rims so he had new centers made to fit the pickup hubs. "I use it to apply pre-plant and burndown no-till herbicides as well as postemergence herbicides," says Lascelles, who built the sprayer last winter. "I went over most of our corn twice with it last summer, covering a total of 2,000 acres. The wheels straddle two 36-in. rows and the boom covers 16 rows at a time. I use an 8-row 36-in. planter so when I spray I always drive in our planter wheel tracks. We drill all our soybeans. I go in first gear at 10 to 12 mph in the field so I can cover acres fast. The 4:11 rear end runs at 2,200 rpm's in first gear which is a little slow. I plan to replace it with a 4:55 rear end. "I travel at 30 to 35 mph on the road. We farm 1,300 acres that are scattered out over 15 miles so we're on the road a lot. "I really like the view from the cab. The problem with pickup sprayers is that the driver sits on the left side so when you make a right turn at the end of the field it's hard to see and count the rows. The combine cab has a center-mounted steering wheel and, with glass all the way around, I have great visibility. The engine has a lot of power and with the big tires and 4-WD I can spray in muddy fields without getting stuck. I re-placed the original cab seat with an air ride seat out of an International semi tractor." Lascelles bought the cab at a salvage yard for $1,500 and the sprayer from a neighbor for $5,500. He used everything in the cab that he could including all the gauges, gear shift linkage to the throttle, tilt steering wheel, and air conditioner. He re-moved the heater coil from the cab to allow the air conditioner to operate more efficiently. "I don't need a heater because I don't use the rig in the winter," he says. The rig still has the combine's steering system. Lascelles hooked up the steering valve and cylinder to the pickup steering arm. A Honda gas engine mounted behind the tank is used to operate the sprayer pump. Lascelles mounted an air cleaner alongside the cab and ran a hose from it back to the engine to keep it supplied with clean air. He cut away part of the pickup's hood to keep the engine cool. A plywood sheet behind the engine keeps heat away from the cab. The rig has eight Halogen floodlights - four on front and four on back. Lascelles used 55-gal. plastic barrels to make the rear fenders. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Robert Lascelles, Box 73, Ipava, Ill. 61441 (ph 309 753-8720).

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