BCG examines the new Goldacres G6 Series 2 Sprayer

By Tom Draffen - BCG Media

See the original article here

The Goldacres G6 Series 2 is the latest edition to the Goldacres range of Australian built sprayers – Faster, Smarter, Stronger – setting new standards in the Australian sprayer market.

With feedback from owners and operators, combined with advances in engineering Goldacres have created the next generation G6 Crop Cruiser, the series 2.

Central to the design is the G Hub (Goldacres integrated system), the greatest advancement in sprayer control Goldacres have ever offered. This is a system that makes your time in the sprayer easier, with all controls and information at your fingertips.

Improvements have been made across the entire machine but more noticeably are the following points:

The No1 boom now performs even better.

The previous TriTech boom set new standards with the three-way suspension system and was subsequently crowned No 1 for boom ride and stability.

The Tritech RivX boom is set to revolutionise the market again with even greater stability and rigidity.

All new TriTech RivX boom in sizes 36-42m and now the option of up to 48 metres.

The all new RivX boom features even greater boom stability and rigidity, largely due to the design and construction of the steel inner wings and aluminium / steel composite outer wings.

Boom inner, outer and breakaway structure are a symmetrical construction meaning left and right wings are the same either side, this aids manufacturing efficiencies and dealer parts stocking. The new RivX design incorporates outer wings constructed using a mixture of steel and aluminium sections with high strength structural rivets. This method eliminates welding of the aluminium, vastly improving the fatigue strength of the wings. Tests have demonstrated that the RivX outer wings can withstand 300% more flexes than the equivalent welded boom.

Hydraulic operated outer boom wing folding replaces the cable drum fold mechanism on the 36 & 42m booms. The mechanism includes a hydraulics breakaway feature to protect the boom in the event of a collision with an object.

All boom plumbing (delivery and boom recirculation) is now increased to 1” and the design of inner and outer wings incorporate a single nozzle spray bar. Nozzles mounted below the main boom structure allows for any nozzle combination to be fitted.

Latest advancement in boom height control, The AutoBoom XRT.

Now available as an option on the series 2 G6, this system uses industry leading radar sensing technology with simultaneous ground and crop detection, this maintains an optimal spray height for maximum spray coverage and product efficacy.

The XRT is not affected by temperature, spray drift, dirt, dust or mud and features five non-contact sensors for unmatched accuracy.

Pressure based control allows for smooth boom movement and quick reaction time with machine chassis roll control sensing built in.

A centre section rack stability is fitted and uses variable dampeners that can change viscosity for stiffer or softer boom roll control.

The AutoBoom XRT is ISOBUS compatible and increases boom longevity and ultimately boom control.

Intuitive & easy to use display with on board diagnostics – G-Hub

Inside the cab, operators are treated to the all-new G-Hub – Goldacres integrated system.

The Internal control screen isused to display all relevant machine data for the operator in an ergonomic and robust package.

Goldacres have custom designed the user interface with input from customers to provide an intuitive and easy to use powerful display with inbuilt help and diagnostic functionality. There are many smart features built into the software to save the operator time and make the machine easy to operate. All components have been carefully selected and tested to ensure quality and reliability.

External machine filling and rinsing functions are operated using a 5” display and 10 button key pad located in the side pod filling area. Live product and rinse tank volumes can be viewed on both internal and external displays.

Simplified controls & increased capacities

Operator workstation area with “Fast Fill “

The operator workstation area and fill system has been totally redesigned to dramatically reduce sprayer refill times (more than twice the fill rate of the previous model). In addition, the new system offers many more features whilst still retaining its easy to use philosophy.

All induction systems including the hopper, have increased capacities and all fill and flush functions are now controlled with electric valves with the push of a button via the G-Hub external display.

A 3” transfer pump is now fitted as standard. This pump combined with high flow plumbing provides flow rates of up to 1150 l/min. Mounted after the fill pump outlet is a pressure transducer and electric 3” ball valve which are used by the G-Hub system to control both the fill rate and tank level soft shut off.

Product tank filling features “clean” and “dirty” 3” connection points

Clean point is for clean water suction via the on-board fill pump. Clean water can be distributed throughout the sprayer.

Dirty point is for pre-mixed water and chemical transferred directly into the main product tank from a batching plant.

In both cases the auto tank filling feature is available to use.

All other manual valves are used to direct the chemical from the transfer pump and the probe connection points.

Neat chemical transfer is now done using a pneumatic twin diaphragm high capacity pump (fitted as standard). The pump features large diameter diaphragms to create large amounts of suction, ideal for high viscosity chemicals. The neat chemical can be delivered directly to the product tank or diverted to the chemical induction hopper where it can be measured and then transferred to the product tank. Tests have shown 40 l/min of high viscosity chemicals can be transferred.

A larger 550 litre rinse water tank is now fitted for increased rinsing capacity.

All threaded fittings have been replaced throughout with flange style to provide simpler servicing and less leak points across the system.

The fuel tank has also been increased in size by 50% to 450L giving the most fuel-efficient machine an even greater spraying range.  

The hydraulic system on the series 2 G6 has been completely revised. A major improvement has been the implementation of a closed centre variable stroke hydraulic pump with load sensing which delivers more than 100% peak flow capacity than the previous model.

The Goldacres Series 2 G6 Crop Cruiser is a product derived from over 40 years of research and development on Australian farms. Valuable feedback from our growers has played a huge part of the design of this machine.

Goldacres have delivered a sprayer which is faster, smarter and stronger, designed around the operator to make the most efficient and productive sprayer available today.

Series 2 G6 will start production in September with deliveries to customers planned for November. Contact your local Goldacres dealership to secure yours now.

For more information please visit Goldacres.com.au/G6

https://www.bcg.org.au/