John Deere sprayer first to pass European test
John Deere is the first sprayer manufacturer in Europe to pass a newly approved test procedure, carried out on an 840 model trailed sprayer.
The ENTAM test methods involve a wide range of laboratory measurements to determine the accuracy and technical performance of the machine, as well as a complete technical assessment and functional check. These cover items such as tank agitation, spray distribution quality and rate control, accuracy of dose rate and measuring devices (such as the pressure gauge, flow sensor and level indicator), nozzle performance, and cleaning and rinsing of empty containers with the chemical inductor.
Various European test centres and institutes for agricultural machinery have signed a cooperation agreement to set up ENTAM, the European Network for Testing of Agricultural Machines. This aims to achieve uniform test criteria and mutual recognition of tests carried out on the performance, safety and environmental aspects of agricultural machinery and implements, with tests based on international standards and common agreements.
In the test carried out by a national German research centre, the John Deere 840 model trailed sprayer, fitted with a 27m boom, achieved excellent results, fully meeting all technical standards, said the test report; on 12 out of the 18 test criteria, its performance was said to clearly exceed the technical standard, while on six it was said to far exceed the technical standard.
The ENTAM test methods for sprayers follow a procedure jointly developed by the testing authorities of the European countries participating in ENTAM, and based on the recently introduced European standard for environmental protection. This technical standard is already applied in Germany by legislation, where manufacturers of new sprayers have to make a detailed declaration that their machines meet the necessary technical requirements, but to date an actual test has only been voluntary.
The test report is already officially recognised by ENTAM members in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Spain and Switzerland. Official recognition of the test is expected shortly from further members in Belgium, France, Greece, Italy and the UK (Silsoe Research Institute).
"We welcome this new testing procedure as complementary to the Voluntary Initiative and the National Sprayer Test Scheme," says John Deere sprayer product manager Chris Meacock. "Approved certification and testing of sprayers encourages more efficient application of crop protection chemicals to produce good quality, high yielding crops and safe, healthy food in a sustainable and traceable manner.
"With the ENTAM test certificate and the excellent results obtained, John Deere can clearly demonstrate the leading technology of our sprayer range."
