More Haste, Less Waste

Amazone has embraced the National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS) by gaining accreditation as an approved testing centre. Approved bodies such as Amazone are approved to test any manufacturers' sprayer as well as Amazone sprayers. A trained examiner who holds a valid NPTC level 3 Certificate of Competence will test delivery and application systems, as well as ancillaries such as rinsing & tank wash systems and recirculation systems.

The test can be carried out on the farm and the cost will vary dependent upon the size and complexity of the sprayer. A one-off registration fee of £18 is also payable. Farmers will receive a certificate as evidence to clients, crop assurance organisations and the general public.

In addition, all new Amazone sprayers will be tested before leaving the factory where, in addition to the normal NSTS certification, the machine will also have a patternation test carried out to ensure complete compatibility between nozzle outputs, nozzle pressures and nozzle overlap, giving complete accuracy of application.

Farmers will receive a reminder from the NSTS 12 months later, prompting them to have their sprayer tested by an NSTS approved centre.

Kevin Ridley, General Manager of Amazone said, "We strongly support the Voluntary Initiative and any measure that improves the effectiveness of agricultural machinery. Not only will it benefit the environment, but also the cost to the average farmer will be more than recouped within one season by the savings in chemicals or increased crop yield. Our engineers will receive on-going training to ensure they are abreast of the latest technological developments".