Growers keen to upgrade to the latest in spraying system technologies and machine data control could save themselves tens of thousands of dollars by taking a look at this option over the next two months.
McIntosh Distribution, national distributor of the Miller sprayer line-up, recently announced a 3.5 per cent finance offer with the popular front-mounted machines, including the manufacturer’s latest Intelligence models, however grower orders must be received by December 31, 2024.
The new Miller Intelligence sprayers feature Sidewinder Ultra consoles, larger screens and updated cabs that come with greater comfort, numerous luxury appointments and improved, 270-degree panoramic visibility.
The consoles also have introduced advanced telematics, raising spraying application and machine data control and transfer to industry-leading levels, and which, critically, seamlessly integrates with all major data management systems available, including New Holland, Case IH, John Deere and other data platforms.
Peter Vella, National Miller Sales Manager with McIntosh Distribution, said the special finance offer required a 30pc deposit on new machines and provided for the interest rate of approximately 3.5pc over four years. However, he said depending upon the trade-in of existing grower sprayers, the low interest rate also could become significantly more attractive.
Peter said the finance offer already had generated strong interest in recent weeks, with machine sales recorded in WA, South Australia and New South Wales.
“Growers have moved quickly and, as a result, are saving thousands of dollars,” Peter said.
“We still have good stocks of sprayers currently available, but growers looking to upgrade should lock-in their orders by the end of this year to grab the attractive finance offer and ensure timely delivery of their new machine, ready for summer spraying.”
Ongoing demonstrations of the Miller Intelligence sprayers with growers right across the country also is contributing to the healthy interest in the machines.
In WA, two 7380 Miller Intelligence models have been applying growers’ crop protection products in the northern and southern agricultural zones. They feature 6000-litre and 8000L tank capacities and both have been equipped with 36-metre truss booms, Bilberry weed identification systems and Miller Intellispray II pulse width modulation (PWM) nozzle control systems.
The Bilberry systems have been demonstrating green-on-green (GoG) and green-on-brown (GoB) spot spraying at Mullewa, as well as GoG spraying in the Merredin, Katanning, Lake King and Esperance areas.
“Growers have been putting their chemical through the machines in personal, on-farm demonstrations and have seen the hit rate and effectiveness. They have seen what the Bilberry has treated and the results seven days later,” Peter said.
The latest Bilberry Intelligent Spot Spraying System, which is available on the Miller truss booms up to 41.5m and the 48m Pommier boom, incorporates generation III architecture, featuring less componentry, and it fully integrates with Miller’s electronics.
“Previously, there was one computation module per camera, whereas now there is only one for every four cameras, so across a 36m boom there are only three modules for 12 cameras,” Peter said.
The Miller Intellispray II nozzle system is the next generation of PWM control that can run at user-defined hertz rates of 10, 15 and up to 20 hertz, whereas Intellispray I ran at 10 hertz.
“The latest system helps to maintain consistent spray application at wider speed variations. By not requiring as much power, it allows the PWM to be set at 25-centimetre spacings on booms of up to 48m. On the larger boom, that’s individual nozzle control via 193 nozzles, compared with 92 nozzles set at 50cm spacings with Intellispray I,” Peter said.
“It provides greater consistency at higher speeds and it allows higher resolution with spot spraying. At 25cm resolution, but with side safety engaged, you are at 75cm resolution, versus 1.5 metres, so it further reduces chemical usage whilst maintaining ultimate coverage.”
The 7380 Miller Intelligence model with 6000L tank, 36m truss boom and Intellispray II nozzle control system also is being demonstrated in SA and Victoria, while a 7420 Miller Intelligence model with 8000L tank and 48m Pommier boom in NSW also is demonstrating the easy integration of third party data management systems, particularly the John Deere and Topcon platforms.
“It is working with a John Deere G5 screen, MTG modem device and Starfire receiver, allowing seamless transfer of spray and machine data to the John Deere Operations Centre,” Peter said.
He said a number of similar John Deere systems already were operating with Miller Intelligence machines in the field for growers, including three in the Geraldton area.
A smaller 7310 Miller Intelligence sprayer with 4500L tank also is being demonstrated to growers in the Griffith area of NSW
Peter said growers continue to be impressed with the ease of use of the Miller Intelligence sprayers despite their sophisticated technologies, as well as the access to data and machine analytics, such as fuel consumption, and receival of alerts, which can help them better support operators.
“Better data can help growers to do budgets with greater accuracy, like with fuel costs.”
Fuel economy in the latest Miller Intelligence sprayers has improved by several litres per hour compared with the previous 6000 Series machines, and by more than 50pc compared with earlier ranges.
Peter said the latest data control and transfer capability also was assisting dealers to check machine fault codes prior to service visits, which was helping reduce downtime and, hence, further pleasing growers.
Growers interested in arranging a Miller Intelligence demonstration, including GoB spot spraying over summer, as well as in the latest finance offer on the machines, can contact their local dealer.