THIRTY years ago it was almost a no contest.
When you wanted somebody who knew about spraying technology, inevitably, you turned to a HARDI specialist.
These days the technology is more diluted and there’s little differentiation between companies.
But last week HARDI Australia CEO Bill Franklin was unequivocal in moving the focus back to HARDI.
“We have the best service team in our sector,” he told dealers during the launch of the company’s four new sprayer models.
Mr Franklin said the need by manufacturers to embrace changing technology was paramount to success, which reflected HARDI’s conference theme of evolution.
“In 2016 we delivered a revolution to new Hardi owners with our line of sprayers,” he said.
“This year we deliver an evolution rather than incremental change because we can be out-competed by technology.
“We want to be aggressive in all areas of our market with sales, service and training, to provide a scale of value to customers and dealers.”
With the new products, HARDI is signalling it is achieving a point of difference in all market sectors – self-propelled, trailed and three-point linkage.
Its flagship is the self-propelled Rubicon 9000, released last year, pitched at the top end of the market where owners are keen to knock out 1000 hectares a day.
It now comes with ‘ActivAir’ technology, which basically is a rapid nozzle on/off control system, which uses on-board air supply to instantaneously open and close the non-drip nozzles during spraying.
Air pressure is reticulated along the boom through 8 millimetres tubing to electrically activate solenoid valves and then through 4mm tubing to each non-drip valve.
ActivAir’s rapid nozzle control is fast and accurate, making it ideal for AutoSection control systems.
The spray lines are divided into 14 sections to ensure minimal overspray when AutoSection control is in operation.
When a solenoid is activated to turn the nozzles on, air pressure opens the non-drip valves and the nozzles start spraying.
When the solenoid is deactivated to turn the nozzles off, the non-drip valves are held closed under spring tension.
When the nozzles are off, the fluid system continuously recirculates the spray mix through the boom tubes at high volume to ensure the boom is primed before spraying starts.
Hardi has a Rubicon 6500 front-mount boom, which is designed for the popular volume market where operators are happy with a 6000 litre tank.
HARDI also will now have added options in this market with its new Saritor ‘62 Active’ SP with rear-mount boom and a 6200 litre stainless steel tank.
This model also is equipped with ActivAir.
And to add to customer options, Hardi has increased its Commander range with tank options of 6500L, 8500L and 10,000L.
The company also has targeted the horticulture market with a new three-point linkage MEGA model, which boasts a selection of tank capacities – 1200L, 1500L, 1800L and 2200L.
Ken Wilson
Farm Weekly's machinery writer.
Farm Weekly's machinery writer.
