After using our LectroBlast® Electrostatic sprayers for a season, I wanted to let you know how we are doing with it.
First and foremost the time and manpower spent spraying has been cut from two men for two days for 115 acres to one man in one day. In the past we hired a man to drive the spray rig and I measured and loaded the spray material for him, approximately 24 loads dilute to spray the orchards or 12 loads per day for two days. Now I load and spray using 7 loads to spray the orchards in one day in the concentrate mode.
Second, the Hardie gas engine driven sprayer we replaced used between 60 and 70 gallons of gasoline to spray the orchards as well as about 10 gallons of diesel fuel for the John Deere 2240 tow tractor. We now use between 34 & 36 gallons of diesel for the John Deere 2755 tractor and PTO driven LectroBlast® Sprayer to spray the orchards. We use less than half of the fuel we formerly used and have no additional engine, cooling system, or battery to maintain. The maintenance on the LectroBlast® is a small fraction of what we had to do on the old Hardie.
Third, in spite of having some 75 year old trees towering 50 to 60 feet high, we are getting better coverage with the LectroBlast® Electrostatic Sprayer and the result is less blight and worm damage resulting in better grades and thus better prices for our walnuts.
Fourth, by using a concentrate mix and electrostatic spraying, we are using less chemicals and getting better results against the pests.
Finally, although spraying is not a job I look forward to, I can honestly say that it is a pleasure using the LectroBlast® Electrostatic system. There is much less drift and thus more spray is getting on the trees where it will do the most good. The driver doesn't get showered with as much spray mist either. To increase our efficiency even further, I am adding AgTec's Treesense Laser Spray Controller to the LectroBlast® Sprayer to further speed up the spraying process and save spraying blank spots where the trees have been removed or are smaller replants.
We appreciate your help and consultation in getting this system installed on our LectroBlast® Sprayer. Thanks again for helping us turn a chore into a pleasure spraying our orchards."
Contact us:
Address:
Progressive Ag Inc.
1336 McWilliams Way
Modesto, California 95351
Phone: 209 567-3232
Fax: 209 567- 3233
Toll Free: 1-800-351-8101
Website:
http://www.proaginc.com
