The Prairie Pro represents the very best money can buy in the trailered sprayer market

Renowned for its rugged construction, class leading boom ride, cutting edge performance and standard features the others call options, the Prairie Pro will transform your spraying operation and positions you at the top of your game.

The Prairie Pro comes in four product tank sizes – 5000L, 6500L, 7500L and 8500L with TriTech boom widths ranging from 24 to 36m. Multiple wheel track and tyres sizes also available. There is a sprayer to suit all farm sizes and configurations.

Read on and learn why the Goldacres Prairie Pro has set the standard in trailed sprayers for nearly 40 years.

Prairie Pro – Positions you at the top of your game

The Prairie Pro represents the very best money can buy in the trailered sprayer market

Renowned for its rugged construction, class leading boom ride, cutting edge performance and standard features the others call options, the Prairie Pro will transform your spraying operation and positions you at the top of your game.

The Prairie Pro comes in four product tank sizes – 5000L, 6500L, 7500L and 8500L with TriTech boom widths ranging from 24 to 36m. Multiple wheel track and tyres sizes also available. There is a sprayer to suit all farm sizes and configurations. Read on and learn why the Goldacres Prairie Pro has set the standard in trailed sprayers for nearly 40 years.

Features!

Control Freaks!

In today’s fast changing precision farming landscape it is easy to be left behind in the technology stakes

That’s why Goldacres make it easy, with multiple solutions from the basic requirements to the top end needs.

For more than 2 decades Goldacres have relied on Raven to provide complete flow control systems with matched components to give, quite simply, unmatched flow control accuracy and stability.

At the heart of the control system is a positive displacement pump run at consistent rpm. This creates known flow rates across varying pressures, essential for accurate and stable flow control. In addition, two system critical components, a flow meter and three way regulator valve, combine to help achieve fast “on target rate”, plus greater flow stability with known tank agitation.

SCS4400 systems

The proven SCS4400 sprayer console provides simple, fuss free control of the liquid flow duties. The SCS4400 features up to 7 boom section control switches (expandable to 10), pump speed readout, ground speed, three tier system (3TS), Direct Chemical Injection (DCI) and ultrasonic boom levelling capability as well as several counters such as area and volume. If you are looking to further expand the capabilities, then the SCS4400 is compatible with most leading automatic section controllers on the market.

ISO BUS systems

Tractor cabins can get pretty busy with the vast range of systems requiring individual control consoles. The ISO BUS standard brings all the systems together into the one display, called a virtual terminal (VT). Essentially each system contains the brains, while the VT is simply the interface between the two. This means only one operator console is required. Goldacres offer the option for ISO BUS compatibility, allowing numerous leading VT displays to take over the sprayer control duties. Features like 3TS, pump speed readout, ultrasonic boom levelling plus sprayer steering and task control applications can all be all monitored by the one display.

Construction overview

To build the best sprayer you have to start with a solid platform

The Prairie Pro design incorporates many elements from the transport and earthmoving industries to ensure maximum strength, longevity and performance. Features like fully bushed pivot points, air ride suspension components and dampeners, to the best corrosion proof painting systems. Fully welded in rotating positional jigs ensures accuracy, repeatability and quality all combined with the experience gained with thousands of sprayers in the field.

1. Chassis. Manufactured from high strength heavy walled 200x100mm RHS to minimise flexing and provide a stable platform for boom mounting. The rear chassis section is stepped in with integral boom and tank support allowing narrow wheel track and steering axle options*. Long wheel base (axle to drawbar) provides excellent boom yaw stability and reduces sideways pushing forces at the tractor.
2. Drawbar pull. Polyurethane cushioned connection points reduces chassis and tractor drawbar stress. Narrow drawbar final section allows tighter headland turning. Full 360º swivel forged tow eye ensures maximum articulation between sprayer and tractor.
3. Walk through platform. Access the main tank easily and safely from either side of the sprayer. No need to walk around the sprayer or tractor to access the other side. Open foot treads provide safe access to the platform in muddy conditions. Lower portion of treads folds up out of the way when not in use.
4. Air bag suspension**. Specifically designed for the Prairie Pro the air bag suspension system provides a smooth soft ride for both trailer and boom whilst still limiting excessive body roll. This is achieved through the use of the large diameter bi-functional rubber bush pivot system coupled with heavy walled torque tube construction. The bolt in axle also doubles as the air reservoir for the ride height levelling and boom nozzle shut off systems.
5. Roller boom rest. The adjustable height boom rests with rubber roller supports provide a soft contact point for the boom wings, minimising the chance for damage.
6. Boom parallelogram lift. The mechanism provides 1200mm of boom height adjustment as well as the vertical boom suspension. Three heavy walled torque tubes and diagonal bracing ensure less flexing which increases boom roll and yaw stability.
7. TriTech boom centre section. Using lightweight trussing techniques the boom centre section is both light yet extremely strong. All high load pivot points are fully bushed and greaseable, ensuring a long service life and optimum boom suspension performance.
8. Hydraulic cylinders. All hydraulic cylinders use quality hardened greasable ball ends firmly bolted in position, ensuring minimal joint movement and maximum boom control.
9. Paint system. All major components are fully grit blasted using a fractured steel shot, essential for excellent paint adhesion. The bare steel components are then treated using a high build filler primer which flattens the blasted surface. All non welded joints are seam sealed then top coated using a Goldacres specific chemical resistant paint formula. Finally all components are baked in a high temperature oven until fully cured.
10. Swing back Mechanical jack* folds up out of the crop quickly and easily. No need to connect hydraulic hoses for jack operation.
11. Full modular construction technique allows many options to be easily added at the time of build or at a later date as required. Dealer fitted options (DFO) can be retro fitted without the need for welding or drilling existing components.

*5000L & 6500L models only **Airbag suspension optional on 5000L & 6500L, standard on 7500L & 8500L

TriTech Booms

Strength, Stability, Reliability & Control

The TriTech boom range is designed for operators who demand the utmost performance, reliability and control. Time and time again the TriTech boom has been named No.1 for boom stability*, which at the end of the day, results in a superior spray result.

Features such as hydraulic yaw which precisely controls the forwards and backwards movement of the boom wings to minimise the under and over applying of chemical is now standard on all widths.

The strategically placed centre section suspension links help isolate the sprayer chassis movement over rough terrain. Combined with the tuned damping characteristics allows precise roll control enabling an optimal and consistent nozzle height to be maintained, even without the use of electronic height control systems**.

All TriTech booms are constructed using lightweight trussing techniques, which allows for a stronger design without weight, the enemy of boom agility.

*Kondinin group’s Farming Ahead magazine 2012 and 2014 **Height control systems may be required in some extreme situations

A sprayer is only as good as its boom

Today’s sprayers are full of bells and whistles which makes spraying a whole lot easier, comfortable and efficient

It’s easy to forget what the end goal is. Precise chemical application.

Boom control can be the difference between a good spray result, and no result at all. Goldacres understand this and it is why all our sprayer designs are centred around the boom first and foremost.

Why do Goldacres booms ride so well?

Goldacres pioneered the use of lightweight aluminium in the outer boom wings over two decades ago. The philosophy was, and still is today, that mass on a boom is fine so long as it is as close to the centre as possible. Reduced mass on the boom extremities reduces boom forces in both yaw and roll. This combined with the unique boom suspension results in a very stable boom ride, regardless of the terrain.

TriTech booms are contour following, meaning that the boom level will be referenced to the sprayer chassis and not purely on gravity such as a pendulum boom. This allows the sprayer to transverse the sides of hills and contours whilst keeping the boom level to the ground at all times. This results in placing the nozzle at the optimum height above the target.

Boom essentials – standard

1. Hydraulic yaw – Two hydraulic cylinders are mechanically connected together either side of the pivoting boom centre section. As the centre yaws one cylinder is retracted, the other extended. This results in oil movement which compresses in a nitrogen charged accumulator. The result is precise boom yaw control.
2. Delta links – The key to the superior boom ride is the strategically placed delta links. In all there are four links. Each link features spherical ball ends which allow the centre to move in all directions.
3. Roll centre point – The roll centre point is the location at which the boom pivots around, both in roll and yaw.
4. Roll dampeners – educes high frequency oscillation of the boom roll.
5. 3D Breakaway – The end breakaway section protects the boom from stress damage if a ground, fence or tree strike occurs. The end section can break forwards, backwards and upwards. The spring mechanism uses an eccentric mounted sprocket and chain to provide maximum breakout force in the neutral position, then reduces the force the further the breakout.

Application Technology

Boom stability is only part of the chemical application story. Optimum droplet sizing, pressure, nozzle flow rate and spray uniformity across the boom width are all critical to accurate chemical application.

RapidFire

Over the last several years there has been a greater shift to precision farming technologies, such as auto steering and automatic boom section control. Both of these technologies are aimed at reducing spray overlaps and unsprayed areas, the former potentially causing crop burning and overuse of chemical. Depending on the field size and shape the wastage can be quite substantial. Goldacres have improved these practices further by introducing RapidFire, an air controlled nozzle shut off capability system.

Traditional systems use motorised boom section valves to control water flow to the nozzles. Wider booms in conjunction with increased number of spray sections means a substantial amount of plumbing is required, thus increasing the delay in spray on and off times. In addition, the further the nozzle is from the centre of the boom the longer the delay becomes. RapidFire overcomes these problems by putting the switching capability right at the nozzle.

Small air lines at each nozzle switch flow the on and off in a fraction of a second, and more evenly across the boom width. Boom line plumbing is also greatly reduced, which quickens line priming and flushing as well as simplifies plumbing.

RapidFlow – Boom recirculation

RapidFlow – Boom Recirculation allows the sprayer boom lines to be fully primed without spraying a single drop. This reduces wastage at the start of a tank load or when switching chemicals. RapidFlow can also be used to thoroughly flush out the boom lines without the need to physically spray on the ground.

*RapidFlow is not compatible with Direct Chemical Injection (DCI)

Application Technology – 3TS

Nozzle technology has advanced in leaps and bounds over the years and a strong emphasis on drift control has influenced many nozzle designs, including air induction (AI) technology

The spray nozzles operating pressure range and size determine the application rate and speed band at which the driver must adhere to. This band is usually quite narrow. To overcome this Goldacres offer a 3 tier system (3TS) which effectively gives the driver a much wider operating band whilst still maintaining optimum droplet size. Think of 3TS as a three step gearbox. Each nozzle type has an operating pressure band for a given droplet size. As the first nozzle reaches the top of the pressure band it switches off and the next larger size nozzle switches on. When that nozzle reaches the top of that pressure band the first nozzle will switch on again, effectively giving three operating bands.

Chemical Handling

SuperFlow 60L Induction Hopper

Lower the hopper into the loading position by simply releasing the spring loaded catch, the SuperFlow hopper enables you to load powders, granules and liquids fast – up to 20 kg/min (Atrazine) using a large flow venturi system. The SuperFlow uses a flanged 2” port tap with a large handle that’s easy to grip while wearing PPE and features push down drum rinse nozzle, tank flushing nozzle and simple tank level calibration.

Transcal

The 45L Transcal is a simple and effective way of transferring and measuring liquid chemical. Using a venturi the transcal can draw chemical from an open container using a probe or out of an envirodrum to provide a totally enclosed transfer system. The transcal measures chemical transferred by volume, not flow, giving consistent accuracy regardless of the liquid viscosity.

Venturi Probe

Standard on all models across the range, the probe is a simple method of transferring chemical into the main tank directly from a drum. It uses a venturi mounted in the main product tank.

Chemical transfer pump

The 12 volt chemical transfer pump has an open flow of up to 40 l/min and can transfer chemical from any container using a probe or envirodrum coupling.The chemical transfer pump features an optional flow meter to keep track of how much chemical has been transferred, providing a completely stand-alone transfer system at the flick of a switch.

Direct Chemical Injection (DCI)

Spraying is time critical, and sometimes the spray window is small. Mother nature can force you off the land with little or no notice, leaving you with a tank mix of expensive chemical degrading by the hour

Variations within the field may need more or less chemical to be applied, but limitations in mixed chemical volumes in the sprayer means you will be left short or have some left over when finished. These problems can be overcome with an optional DCI system, as the neat chemical is only mixed with water as you need it. For more than two decades Goldacres has led the way in DCI application. The Goldacres chemical storage with EZ control filling and flushing system coupled with the proven Raven positive displacement chemical pump means you can spray with complete confidence.

Some of the benefits are:

• Pre fill your sprayer with water and chemical the day before
• Alter the chemical rate without changing water rates whilst spraying
• Hold and apply up to 3 different chemicals, at different rates whilst spraying
• Easier to decontaminate the sprayer as the chemical is mixed at the boom, not in the tank
• Pump unused chemical back out of the sprayer and into the chemical storage drum
• Flush the chemical pumps with water without draining the chemical storage tanks