THERE will always be debate about the productivity differences between a self-propelled boomsprayer and a trailed model (so-called tug-alongs).
Those favouring SPs say they have a self-contained sprayer ready to go at all times, particularly relevant if you've got a tug-along that has to wait for a tractor.
But tug owners say they can stay out longer, pulling higher capacity spray tanks - with their new front-wheel assist high horsepower tractors - and with a good nurse system they can be as productive as SPs.
For Perkins Farm Machinery sales manager Brad Langford, who has overseen a growing market share with Goldacres models, it doesn't matter which camp you're sitting in because he has got what you want.
And it's Australian-made.
"Goldacres gives us the ability to sell from basic models to all the fruits, so to speak," Mr Langford said.
"The company has a great history of innovation and reliability with its trailed and self-propelled models and they can custom-build to suit a farmer's requirements.
"So we can reach a price point that is suitable as well as providing a range of options."
According to the company, it has worked out how to overcome the issue of boom pressure variation and boom line priming.
In doing so it means a wider selection of nozzle combinations are available and everything is controlled from the cab.
Goldacres' proprietary RapidFire uses pneumatic nozzle control to eliminate the need for central boom valves and metres of excess spray lines.
The air-operated valves are in the nozzle body and deliver instantaneous boom operation - doing away with the need to prime boom lines before spraying.
Pressure is already built-in the boom line and it's only a matter of switching nozzles on and off.
Goldacres has further expanded this technology with a three tier system (3TS) which expands the effective spraying speed range without exceeding the pressure range of the nozzles.
Likened to a gearbox, RapidFire 3TS minimises the nozzle pressure variation even as the sprayer speed changes.
On a single or dual-line boom system, the 3TS allows farmers to vary their application rate and spraying speed while maintaining the correct droplet size.
Another innovation is the Tritech boom, available in widths out to 48 metres.
It was subject to 18 months development by Goldacres, aiming to ensure maximum strength, function and boom ride.
Design features include construction from mild steel on the inner wing with aluminium on middle, outer and breakaway wings.
The design aims to provide strength where needed while maintaining weight savings.
The truss structure is designed deep and wide to reduce stress and increase boom strength.
The outer wing features unique hydraulic break-back and break-forward functions and the inner wings feature forward and rearward dampening as well as full yaw control.
Norac ISO auto-height control also is an option.
According to Goldacres, fill times also are faster using a side-fill point, allowing the option to remote-fill from a Goldacres BatchMate unit with pre-mixed chemical straight into the main tank.
On the technology side, Goldacres provides display options - Trimble 2050 TMX or John Deere 2630 GS3 - linked to a Raven rate controller, which also provides seven section auto boom shut-off.
