| ATV
Light footed weed control with
Honda ATV
Rain showers and warm weather have combined to produce ideal growing conditions for weeds but a Honda ATV can
save the backache associated with using traditional knapsack sprayers for control.
onda ATV’s ability
to operate safely
on undulating
ground while
minimising
damage with its
low ground pressure tyres has
meant that weed control duties
have become a popular
application. The ability to carry
larger tanks on the load racks
means ATV sprayers can work for
longer between refills, while
electric pumps dispense with
manual pumping, but the ATV’s
compact size means compact
working areas can still be
accessed.
Capacities tend to be from
approximately 25-135 litres and
the type of use dictates the level of
complexity required. For spot
spraying by hand lance, a low
output on-demand pump, driven
from the ATV’s battery is adequate.
Most purpose-designed sprayers
include a length of hose allowing
the operator to park the ATV and
sprayer close to the area to be
treated and then walk around with
the lance, targeting the weeds.
For larger areas such as
paddocks or problem weed
populations in arable crops,
booms are usually preferred.
Typical sizes are from 3 to 7
H
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nozzles, providing spray widths
from 1.5-3.5m. Spray pressure
regulation is essential, allowing
various nozzle sizes to be used
and the flow rate to be adjusted to
match the working speed.
For higher application rates and
wider booms, sometimes up to
12m, much higher pump capacity
is provided by petrol engine
powered pumps, but trailed units
are generally favoured allowing
larger tanks to be used.
The Honda range of ATVs
provides superb carrying and
towing performance and the
weight limits are clearly displayed
on the load racks and tow hitches.
For paddock or farm headland
spraying with a small, mounted
sprayer a 2wd model will usually
be adequate on level ground but,
for steeper slopes and softer
ground conditions, 4wd will be an
advantage. Larger trailed sprayers
will almost certainly mean one of
the larger Honda Foreman models
will be needed.
Because Honda’s range of
utility ATVs is designed for work
applications, all models from the
TRX420 Fourtrax up come as
standard with high capacity
alternators and external 12-volt
power capable of powering most
electric sprayer pumps.
For advice as to which of
Honda’s wide range of ATVs will
best suit your needs it will be well
worth consulting your local main
dealer, who will also be pleased to
recommend a suitable sprayer.
Many also supply protective
clothing and accessories, and can
provide details of organisations
which provide training in the safe
use of pesticides, so it will be well
worth getting in touch. Whatever
your situation, the dealer will have
a cost-effective solution to speed
up your spraying and save your
back.
July 2016 | Farming Monthly | 55