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SP booms nudge ahead of trailed units

Story Added : 19th November 2008

So-called tug-a-long trailed boomsprayers are still seen as an important component of the farm, despite the rise in sales of self-propelled models.

A recent eFarming poll asked farmers whether SPs would supersede the trailers and nearly 59 per cent of respondents considered they would.

Steve Parker, Sales and Marketing Manager for HARDI Australia commented on eFarmings poll, “No doubt 59% of farmer would desire to have a self propelled sprayer, however affordability is still a hurdle for a great many of them. $400,000 plus is a lot of money.”

A healthy 41 per cent disagreed, reflecting the popularity of the tractor-trailed sprayer combo.

While the SP is a ready-to-go unit, the combo is seen by many farmers as more advantageous by providing a tractor for a multiple of farm tasks when you’re not spraying.

And with the new front-wheel assist models boasting a 40 or 50km/h transmission, excellent suspension and cab comfort, along with extra grunt, towing a 10,000L tank with a 36m boom attached, is a piece of cake.

And the combo is generally a cheaper unit.

“SP’s still only represent approx 15% of the total broadacre sprayer sales although there are no official figures to substantiate trailer sales in Aust, we can only surmise”, comments Steve Parker. “However, SP numbers are reported by the TMA.

“To put things in perspective, trailer sprayers are selling form $50,000 for a 4000 litre to $150,000 for a 9000 litre depending on model and specs. If a farmer already has a spray tractor there is a big price jump to get into an SP. And the spray tractor often pulls the chaser bin during harvest.

“Even with a new tractor, the price difference can be $100,000 or more to an SP and with farm input cost where they are farmers will be cautious.

“SP sales are on the increase, that is a certainty, but it could take a while before they supersede the good old tug-along.”