John Deere steals the march from under its competitors by being the first to offer the Herbicide GUSS autonomous orchard and vineyard sprayer through its dealerships
Herbicide GUSS is what to look for and its being billed as the first production line autonomous herbicide orchard sprayer, and only from select John Deere dealers as it’s made available worldwide.
This weed seeking autonomous herbicide orchard and vine sprayer springs from a newly formed joint venture between GUSS Automation and John Deere, and Deere is very enthused about being first with the solutions Herbicide GUSS will provide for growers.
John Deere have been quick to announce Herbicide GUSS as part of their own high value crop solution line-up in the US where it will go to John Deere dealers first.
It is accepted that the GUSS development team is well ahead of all others in autonomous models for crop spraying with years and depth of experience in the high value crop spraying business.
GUSS developed these models for their own use and because of that situation made sure their models can satisfy customers on every level.
GUSS Automation was developed out of necessity when orchard spraying business owner, Dave Crinklaw was faced with ongoing shortages of agricultural labour to harvest his own crops. Dave said he found the answer was in the form of a driverless orchard sprayer that he began developing himself.
After the successfull introduction of a fleet of GUSS (Global Unmanned Spray System) sprayers in Dave Crinklaw’s own custom application business, he decided to make GUSS autonomous sprayers available for any grower to own.
Herbicide GUSS is what orchard and vineyard growers have been asking for to resolve the issues around harvesting their high-value crops when faced with so many issues such as labour shortages, and sustainability challenges.
Herbicide GUSS will join GUSS and mini GUSS as leading the way to ensure growers can overcome current industry challenges.
Herbicide GUSS is equipped with LIDAR technology to keep an accurate run down the row. While the sprayer’s 9 sensors are able to detect, target and spot spray weeds along the orchard and vine rows.
Operators can monitor any combination of up to 8 GUSS, mini Guss or Herbicide GUSS sprayers on a laptop computer.
“Growers have been asking for an autonomous herbicide machine,” said Gary Thompson, COO at GUSS Automation.
“We took that concept to the next level by implementing weed detection technology to give the grower a machine that provides immense value. Lower chemical usage helps the grower reduce costs and is a benefit to the environment,” Gary Thompson added.
From the top left see how the breakaway booms prevent damage to trees and crops while the Herbicide GUSS moves quickly down rows as a single off-site operator can monitor and control up to eight GUSS sprayers at one time even using a portable laptop computer
The Herbicide GUSS high-tech herbicide sprayer is 7.2m (23.5ft) long, 2m (6.5ft) high and ranges from 2.5 to 5.8m (8.3 to 19ft) wide depending on the boom extension.
The hydraulic-controlled, height-adjustable booms accommodate 5.5 to 6.7m (18 to 22ft) row spacing and tilt for varying berm sizes.
The booms have been designed as breakaways to prevent damage to trees and vines. Watch the Herbicide GUSS autonomous orchard and vineyard sprayer in action on this video link:
Compare specification of a standard GUSS
