From 40 hectares to 60-70 each day, this Australian farmer has improved his spraying routine substantially

Australian livestock farmer Peter Young bought a Hustler Applic8r mounted boom sprayer in June 2022. Because of the farm’s undulating contours and obstacles in the paddocks, he initially thought it “could be a bit of a risk buying a 14-metre boom.” But with the Hustler EagleTech boom, which features yaw, vertical and individual sectional suspension, hydraulic boom dampeners, and in-line sectional filters, Peter found that he could “cover some quite rough, steep country”.

All told, Peter’s spraying sessions have increased from 40 hectares a day to “between 60 and 70 hectares per day, which is a huge improvement”. Watch Peter’s video to find out more about Hustler’s Applic8r range.

Peter runs 3,000 ewes and 1,000 beef cattle on 1,350 hectares in Walcha, northern New South Wales, Australia (about 425 kilometres (264 mi) by road from Sydney). The area is known as the “Pasture Wonderland” as the dominant industry in the area is livestock grazing along with an expanding timber industry. The district runs close to 1 million sheep 85,500 stud and commercial beef cattle.

The farm includes highland areas and hilly country, which makes things difficult for pasture care and spraying.

Peter’s local Hustler accredited dealer Double R in Tamworth recommended purchasing a Hustler Applic8r LX1150 sprayer coupled to a Hustler EagleTech boom. Peter initially thought it “could be a bit of a risk buying a 14-metre boom on our farm because it’s quite undulating, and there are lots of obstacles when you’re spraying.”

But with the Hustler EagleTech boom, which features yaw, vertical and individual sectional suspension, hydraulic boom dampeners, and in-line sectional filters, Peter found that he could “cover some quite rough, steep country”.

“The EagleTech boom’s been great because the size you can get away with”

So Peter bought the spraying unit in June 2022 and has never looked back.

“I’ll do anywhere between 800 and 1000 hectares a year. In the winter months, we sprayed gibberellic acid and MCPA, and then we also improve a bit of country each year. So we’re spraying glyphosate out,” Peter explained.

“I went from using a rigid 10-metre boom on a good day with you know you do 40 hectares but with the new EagleTech boom, I’m getting between 60 and 70 hectares a day which is a huge improvement,” Peter said. “With its unique suspension, we can cover some quite rough, steep country and still have a 14-meter boom, which we haven’t been able to do before.”

“With its unique suspension, we can cover some quite rough, steep country”

The EagleTech boom has been designed for spraying pastures and paddocks, especially on rough terrain. Seven key features integrated into a single spray unit:

• Hydraulic boom damperners

The hydraulic boom dampeners on the self-leveling and end-section suspension create the most amazingly supple boom ride, something not comparable in a boom of this size.

• In-line sectional filters

In-line section filters eliminate the need to run nozzle filters, meaning the operator only needs to change 5 sectional filters instead of 28 fiddly little nozzle filters.

• Triple nozzles bodies

Triple nozzle bodies allow for three pre-set nozzle sizes, reducing the time it takes to switch between crops and they’re protected by the structure of the boom to further prevent downtime.

• Full wing-lift

Full individual wing-lift from the hip of the boom makes the EagleTech boom the ultimate boom when working in undulating to steep country and is an absolute pleasure to operate.

• Unique end-section suspension

The end sections are suspended separately from the intermediate section, therefore reducing the weight of the boom and increasing longevity and boom stability.

• Mast rollers

Using mast rollers instead of slides reduces the friction on the vertical suspension, creating a more supple ride and reducing the impact on the boom when operating on rough terrain.

• Stainless steel tubes

Stainless steel lines are stronger and less prone to damage should debris hit the boom.

“I’d recommend the Hustler Applic8r sprayer and EagleTech boom because they’re well-designed and they’re a pleasure to use,” Peter concluded.

All in all, the Hustler linkage boom sprayer range Applic8r – with the industry’s best warranty, unique best-in-class agitation and mixing, toughest design on the market, user-friendly low profile – is simply one of the best compact mounted boom sprayers on the market today.

Customise your Applic8r online and contact us today, you’ll be glad you did!