A look at Smithco sprayers

By Alistair July 17, 2023 15:27

When it comes to accuracy, precision and productivity in spray application, Smithco sprayers are claimed to be the best in the business. This is a result of a long-term partnership with TeeJet Technologies and their Dyna-Jet pulse-width modulation advanced rate control and dual nozzle system. This provides the ultimate control over spraying speed, pressure and droplet size. Spraying is consistent across any area regardless of terrain, shape or size of the surface area.

Smithco incorporate these control options into two specific systems:

Star Command 1 features TeeJet Radion Rate Controller and Radion with Dyna-Jet Pulse Width Modulation which controls sections of the boom and allows automatic tip control with independent control of application rate, ground speed and pressure.

Star Command 2 with TeeJet’s Matrix 908 provides consistently less than 50 mm (2”) corrections, turn compensation, individual nozzle control and features industry-leading 250 mm (10”) nozzle spacing offering a 100 percent greater accuracy than competitors.

Both systems feature drift control, an immensely important and precision function, which allows the spray tech to select the droplet size on the move. Droplet sizes range from fine, medium, course, and very course and can differ between applications. If required, a larger droplet size can be specified to control the drift and still maintain the correct rate.

At the forefront of GPS-guided sprayer techology, Smithco’s range of Spray Star equipment vastly improves the quality and accuracy that turf managers are looking for. The result is an improvement in playing conditions and resources (fertiliser, wetting agents, growth inhibitors etc.) can be conserved, helping to save money over the longer term.

GPS-guided sprayers are a significant development because they greatly reduce the risk of human error during spray applications. Even the most skilled sprayer techs can miss an area or inadvertently overlap their coverage. These mistakes waste product and time and have the potential to cause serious turf problems. Smithco sprayers eliminate these issues because each individual nozzle is controlled by a computer that confines applications to desired areas and prevents overlaps or under-spraying.

Smithco’s technology allows areas to be mapped by driving around a perimeter or during the actual spraying process. Once an application is entered into the system it can be repeated with great precision, making it possible to perform all applications with more accuracy and efficiency. Using GPS technology also allows an operator to stop and resume an application in exactly the same spot. It also keeps track of how much product is needed to complete an application, helping to save time and reduce waste.