Goldacres G8CT adds tracks to 8000-litre self-propelled sprayer

GOLDACRES has teased the broadacre world with a self-propelled sprayer prototype designed to be gentle on controlled traffic farming tram tracks.

Smooth mover: Goldacres’ G8CT self-propelled sprayer with Soucy tracks.

GOLDACRES has teased the broadacre world with a self-propelled sprayer prototype designed to be gentle on controlled traffic farming tram tracks.

Expected to be displayed at the Mallee Machinery Field Days this week, the G8CT is based on Goldacres’ 8000-litre Supercruiser and is fitted with Soucy tracks to satisfy the call from CTF advocates for better flotation on their sprayers.

These machines are heavy when fully loaded and are used regularly through the season, causing most damage to tram tracks.

To reduce this damage, Soucy S-Tech 7016 tracks have been fitted as part of the G8’s mechanical four-wheel drive system with modifications to the axles to accept the new ­undercarriage.

Goldacres said the 406mm-wide belt on each track had a contact length of 2150mm to provide twice the ground contact area compared with a 520/85R46 tyre.

The photos of the prototype show steering arms at the bottom of the front axles but when the sprayer is released next year, Goldacres said it would have steering arms up top. It has 940mm clearance to the axle tubes.

“Out the back, the huge 48m boom is a product of 18 months’ development to ­ensure maximum strength, function and boom ride characteristics familiar with all Goldacres booms has been met,” said marketing manager Stephen Richards.

Construction is from mild steel on the inner wing with aluminium used for the middle, outer and breakaway ­sections.

“This provides strength where needed and weight savings as required,” Mr Richards said.

Other boom features ­include a deep and wide truss structure to reduce stress while increasing boom strength, while the outer wing has a ­hydraulic break back and break forward function to ­reduce the risk of damage in a collision.

The inner wings have forward and rearward dampening as well as yaw control to ­improve stability.

There are three spray widths available by folding in the boom. All open provides 48m overall, while folding back the outer section gives it 36m, and that can be reduced to 20m by folding in the midsection.

When all the sections are folded in, and secured with a latch system, the sprayer is 4.23m wide.

Boom plumbing has been increased to 2.5cm poly tubing to reduce pressure drop and provide more even nozzle flow rates.

However, there is no mention of flow rate control but the machine can be optioned with up to 10 boom sections and the choice of Raven SCS4400 auto rate or ISObus control ­systems.