An autonomous sprayer eliminating operator downtime and breaks while increasing speed, consistency and efficiency of application is working its way through the almond crops in Victoria and NSW.
The GUSS sprayer’s ability to solve the problems associated with spraying orchards, vineyards and high-density orchards earned the machine the title of the 2023 Henty Machine of the Year.
The award was presented by Henty Machinery Field Days award judge Warren Scheetz to Hutcheon and Pearce sales and marketing manager Andrew Watt and integrated solutions manager Hamish Ross on September 19.
The autonomous sprayer on display at the field days is one of fewer than 10 in Australia, with the others field -proven in almond orchards in the Sunraysia and Riverina districts.
The sleek stainless steel plated machine looking more like a rocket than sprayer captured much interest from field days visitors keen to see what the future of horticulture will look like.
Designed and developed in the United States, the GUSS sprayer has worked in cherry, tobacco, pecan, grape and apple crops.
Mr Watt said GUSS sprayers solve the problems associated with spraying orchards, vineyards and high-density orchards.
He said GUSS sprayers drive themselves — a single employee can monitor a combination of up to eight GUSS, mini GUSS and Herbicide GUSS sprayers at a time using a laptop computer.
In the event an issue is detected onboard a GUSS sprayer, the interface automatically sends both visual and audible alerts to the operator.
GUSS sprayers use a combination of GPS, LiDAR, sensors and software to guide GUSS sprayers safely and efficiently.
It allows precisely control application rates and sprayer speeds across entire fields and in variable terrain.
GUSS eliminates operator downtime and breaks, while increasing speed, consistency and efficiency of application, eliminates human error, reduces exposure to materials being applied and reduces the need for PPE, shade and water.
It features multiple weed detection sensors for precision spraying and minimal chemical usage plus features an adjustable boom height and width with breakaway booms for various field conditions.
Mr Watt said the Machine of the Year Award meant much to Hutcheon and Pearce, reaffirming the release of the autonomous technology to the Australian market.
“There are less than 10 units in Australia as they were only released officially by John Deere in mid-2022 and we have strong interest with a number of orders in the system and demonstration units gracing customer’s fields over the next 12 months,” he said.
“In the US, the GUSS is working in permanent plantings such as almond orchards and citrus.
“There are three different versions including the mini GUSS for narrower rows and horticulture and a Herbicide GUSS with multiple weed detection sensors for precision spraying and minimal chemical usage.
“Global labour shortages are essentially driving these innovations in ag and challenges of inputs whether it be chemical and fuel costs or labour itself.”