Goldacres set out to supply the horticulture market with a lightweight self-propelled sprayer that is four-wheel steer, 4-Wheel drive and with a narrow track width. The sprayer needed to be most efficient spraying at typically lower speed ranges with higher capacity hydraulics to operate a large spray pump for high flow rates. The design team came up with a unique hydro-mechanical drive system to form the basis of the ultimate horticultural sprayer, the soon to be released Goldacres G4V self-propelled sprayer.
Established nearly 40 years ago, Goldacres spraying equipment has endured the test of time to become a market leader in sprayer design and engineering for models to operate under Australian conditions.
The company works closely with contractors and farmers to ensure all its products fit the end users’ needs with over 60 models available.
When Goldacres delivered the first of its G Series lightweight self-propelled sprayers to growers in autumn 2014, it knew it was on a winning formula.
The G Series was aimed at hi-yielding vegetable and cotton growers and would also be able to fill a niche for more specialised grain growers that wanted a more cost effective and less bulky sprayer. The G Series fitted that bill perfectly.
Following the G Series accelerating more interest in a lightweight self-
propelled sprayer due to its ability and appealing price bracket, it has now been upgraded further.
Building on the trend for growers to move into dedicated self-propelled models for spraying, Goldacres has revealed the next generation of light weight models with the G4V spray rig.
Galvanising a solid performance the G4V gets its push from a 121kW (165hp) QSB 4.5-litre Cummins engine driving into a unique Goldacres design hydro-mechanical drive system.
The hydraulics is mastered with a Danfoss transmission flowing into a two-speed transfer case that feeds the mechanical drive from the transfer case to power the wheels. This unique hydro-mechanical drive system sets the G4V apart from the previous G3 and G4 models.
Goldacres engineers have also installed inboard hydraulic brakes and a Limited Slip Diff both front and rear to keep wheel power balanced at all times.
Add to this constant 4-wheel drive and computer assisted four-wheel steering for a machine that exerts a perfect balance. Expect a turning radius of 3.2m.
To set the G4V even further apart is the quality presence obvious in the five-pillar cab where the operator will also feel comfortable juggling the spray function switches running along the side console while the multi-functional joystick pretty much controls the heart of running the beast.
Comfort is not an issue with a Grammer air ride seat taking pride of place with a fold away passenger seat nestled nearby. There is climate controlled air conditioning and of course for a machine built in Ballarat Vic, a heater with a strong element.
On the G4V Series ISOBUS brings all the systems together into a single
display, this virtual terminal keeps watch over all the sprayer functions such as a pump speed readout, ultrasonic boom levelling plus sprayer steering and task control applications – all monitored from a single display.
For the ultimate horticultural self-propelled sprayer wheel tracks can be set from 1.84 to 2.39m, with up to 16 track width variations in all. A 4000-litre solution tank is standard along with a 300-litre rinse tank.
The G4V Crop Cruiser offers the choice of two boom designs. The Delta Series flat folding boom matches most tasks an operator coming from a trailed model would require with an 18 to 24m range.
While a TriTech Series flat folding boom designed with mild steel inner wings with aluminium outer wings and breakaway run at 24 or 36m.
It’s the G4V fitted with a TriTech Series boom that starts to reveal why this sprayer will also work its way into some of the bigger contractor outfits.
Firstly it is much lighter than many others because of its mechanical drive, secondly it can run on a lot less fuel than most and move quicker around the paddock. When you add the precise and wide coverage it can offer, it becomes a very appealing unit for hi-yielding vegetable and cotton growers that it built for as well as specialist broadacre operations.
The G4V Series will appeal to more progressive operations, and for those that want crop clearance in the later part of the season that a tractor and trailled sprayer can’t give them.
For growers on the edge of the trailed sprayer price bracket, this G4V Series machine gets them into self-propelled status and it will do everything they will ever need.
Goldacres manufacture the G4V Series in Ballarat Vic, and have developed these models as a simplified Lighter weight self-propelled range ideal for specialist cropping and row crop style applications.
Call Goldacres for your nearest dealer on tel: 03 5342 6399 or go to http://www.goldacres.com.au
