Trailed sprayers have been updated to meet demands for increased capacity and higher levels of technology, bringing some of the flagship models in line with their self-propelled counterparts.
Amazone
The UX 7601/8601 fulfils the trend for bigger tank sizes, although many updates are integrated across the range to all UX 01 models from 4,200 litres to 11,200 litres
Machines are equipped with tandem Comet six-cylinder piston diaphragm pumps, offering 600-litre/min overall capacity (250-litre/min spraying, 350-litre/m agitating). The pumps can run dry, are self-priming and liquid fertiliser-proof.
With the hydraulic pump drive, the pump selects its own speed depending on whether the sprayer is in the yard filling, on the road agitating or in the field spraying.
With HighFlow+, the two pumps work together in tandem on demand for high application rates of up to 400 litres/min, with the agitation pump supplying liquid to the spray lines when required.
When the sprayer switches off a section, the pump returns that liquid to agitation.
Operator stations
The ComfortPack or ComfortPack plus operator stations both offer remote pump control, automatic fill stop, remote agitation control and remote cleaning.
With ComfortPack plus, the screen at the filling station gives touch control, even in gloves, of all filling, mixing, agitating and washing functions using a simple schematic of the liquid circuit to select the function.
Boom guidance systems include DistanceControl, DistanceControl plus or ContourControl. The latter gives instant changes in boom position to match the crop height, either above or below the horizontal. It also features self-levelling when one side is folded in and the automatic nozzle isolation of the folded boom sections.
Adding to this is Boom HeightControl, the automatic selection of optimum boom height depending on the nozzle spacing selected.
New for 2025 is the update from AmaSwitch to AmaSwitch plus nozzle control systems; each uses a solenoid on individual nozzle bodies, which can be specified as either a triple or quad body with a manual changeover to each nozzle.
The solenoid isolates each 50cm section individually, meaning less overlap (up to 85%), so less wastage, no overlapping, no chemical resistance build-up and no yield penalties.
The company has also introduced DirectInject, where an additional chemical can be fed into the spray line on the move so buffer zones can be treated differently, or the concentration of the chemical can be increased on the move, for use in applications such as growth regulator or fungicides in higher-yielding areas, or in pockets of fields with bad grassweed issues.
Chafer
Last year, Chafer introduced a range of updates to its trailed sprayers. Both Guardian and Sentry models underwent evolutionary changes, which the company says elevated work efficiency and operator usability.
Among the upgrades is the ePlumbing RinsePro system. Based on the popular existing setup first released in 2014, the new RinsePro version adds a secondary pump to the configuration.
The new 120-litre/min piston diaphragm pump controls the sprayer’s rinse water, leaving the proven 1,100-litre/min centrifugal system to perform filling and spraying processes.
This allows for complete control over clean/rinse water, minimising the risk of contamination and allowing concurrent processes like filling of the main and rinse water tanks.
The induction hopper now receives a constant supply of clean water when in use, whether the eFill automatic filling system is drawing from an external bowser or is in its pause state.
According to the company, supplying clean water to the hopper streamlines the cleaning of spray cans while ensuring operator safety. Operators can also perform main spray tank rinsing while the sprayer is in action.
The secondary piston diaphragm pump is mounted remotely at the rear of the machine, keeping noise to a minimum when at the operator’s workstation.
Isobus compatible
The Chafer eControl system is now fully Isobus compatible, integrating with the tractor’s terminal. Previous generations of Chafer trailed sprayers used a secondary touchscreen to control certain functions, as space on the tractor screen was limited.
With the addition of multiple terminals becoming the norm in modern tractors, Chafer has taken the step to transfer all functionality to the tractor terminal, reducing in-cab clutter and allowing improved integration between sprayer systems.
Recognising the growing adoption of systems like AirPurge and central tyre inflation, Chafer has boosted the compressed air volume in the trailed range by 33% to facilitate these popular options.
AirPurge has become an increasingly popular option, allowing users to evacuate residual chemical from the machine using compressed air.
Hardi
Hardi’s Aeon sprayer is available in capacities from 4,200 litres up to 7,000 litres, with a range of booms up to 39m.
Standard equipment includes two-line pneumatic braking, as well as full hydraulic suspension, and the ComfortTrack system, which enables the steering axle to follow the tractor wheels exactly, minimising crop damage when working in tramlines.
The boom is suspended with the ParaLift system, which uses push-type cylinders to dampen vibrations regardless of the boom height. Adding to this, AutoTerrain always optimises the application height, keeping the boom at the correct preset position.
Precision application systems include the PulseSystem; using pulse width modulation (PWM) technology to adjust nozzle opening from 30-100%, while maintaining sprayline pressure and droplet size, regardless of forward speed.
The company says the system will cut drift. It also provides operators with individual nozzle control (76 nozzles across a 36m boom), providing full variable-rate application and product savings up to 90%.
CurveControl
The use of PWM also automatically adds CurveControl to the machine, adjusting the application rate inside and outside of the boom during cornering to maintain the correct application rate.
Away from PWM, Hardi also offers its own single-nozzle control system, providing 50cm section control across the full width of the boom. This works alongside the PrimeFlow instant spray control, which the company says enables faster forward speeds while maintaining precision.
A unique offering from Hardi is its Twin Force boom design, which uses a high-pressure air system to push product towards the target plant.
It features two blower units, with stepless adjustment up to 2,000cu m/hour per metre of boom, and can reportedly counteract the drift effect of wind speeds up to 12kph. This not only increases the efficacy of applications, but also provides more viable spraying days throughout the season.
Horsch
Sitting at the top of the Horsch trailed range is the 12,000-litre, twin-axle Leeb 12 TD, aimed at large-scale farms, and those covering large distances or requiring a high application rate. For operators who do not require this capacity, the 8,000-litre Leeb 8 GS offers high performance in a smaller format.
Close nozzle spacing, pneumatic nozzle control and advanced cleaning systems are available across the range, as well as the award-winning BoomControl system, an advanced design that keeps the boom steady and as close to the crop as possible.
Three versions are available: BoomControl, BoomControl Pro and BoomControl ProPlus. BoomControl automatically maintains an exact, lowest possible working height, even at high operational speeds.
The boom is completely decoupled and held securely below a target height of 40cm thanks to the active adaption of the boom to the terrain via two boom-tip sensors.
Active boom adaptation
BoomControl Pro expands on this capability by adding active boom adaption via tilt and height control of the middle section using four sensors from boom tip to the middle section.
BoomControl ProPlus goes even further with active adaptation of the boom middle section via the tilt and height control and double variable geometry of boom sections.
AutoSelect is Horsch’s own nozzle control system. In addition to the nozzle and the pressure range, the operator can also adjust the target area spacing. Multiple nozzle carriers and a 25cm partition on the nozzle bar provide a wide range of possibilities.
Individual or even different nozzle places may be combined into nozzle profiles and up to 16 profiles can be controlled automatically.
The boom height can be automatically adapted based on the nozzle spacings that are defined in the nozzle profiles. AutoSelect Pro adds curve compensation for operators not wishing to use pulse width modulation (PWM).
PrecisionSpray uses the latest-generation PWM nozzle controls to ensure spray volumes are consistent across the field despite variations in sprayer speed or changes in boom speed when turning.
Its curve compensation alters the spray volume proportionally across the boom length to ensure the same volume of spray per square metre from the inside to the outside of the turn. In addition to curve compensation, PrecisionSpray offers stepless adaption of the volume flow at constant pressure and drop size.
Horsch ATP (adaptive tyre pressure) Control is available on all Leeb sprayers and automatically controls the tyre pressure via an Isobus terminal, depending on the tank level and other parameters.
John Deere
John Deere has continued to develop its M-series and R-series trailed sprayers, with a series of updates to boost application accuracy. Both models share the same lightweight and straightforward design that allows ease of operation, maximises uptime and lowers operating costs.
The R-series is the company’s most advanced model, with four tank sizes from 4,400 litres to 7,500 litres, and double- or triple-fold booms from 24m to 40m.
It is built to give operators precise, high-efficiency spraying in all conditions, says the company, and John Deere’s recent vision-based innovation – See and Spray – is now available as an option.
See and Spray is a camera-based system that uses artificial intelligence to identify weeds and target them for spraying, meaning farm businesses only apply as much chemical as required.
According to trials, the technology could reduce chemical use by as much as 70% while maintaining a 98% hit rate on weeds.
Increased productivity
The R-series’ PowrSpray wet system, combined with features such as individual nozzle control and the option to connect to any closed-transfer system, will increase productivity, while individual nozzle control minimises overlaps and ensures chemical is applied in the right place, while pressure recirculation keeps tank mix circulating up to the nozzle bodies to prevent underdosing at spray start and sedimentation in the line.
TerrainControl Pro and TerrainCommand Pro boom levelling, found on both the R- and M-series, use the latest technology for optimum coverage and minimum spray drift. Purpose-designed hybrid-mode sensors simultaneously track both soil and crop, learning the crop height to prevent lowering into areas of down crop.
The M-series sprayers have three tank sizes to choose from – 4,400 litres, 5,200 litres or 6,200 litres – but the same double -or triple- fold booms up to 40m as the flagship R-series.
Accuracy is productivity and starts with boom stability. The M-series features mechanical stability, said to achieve the spraying precision required for optimal spray distribution.
Both the M- and R-series sprayers are available with the John Deere Operations Center, showing operators all essential information quickly and easily, contributing further to sprayer efficiency.
Knight Farm Machinery
Now available in 3,500-12,000 litre sizes with booms up to 45m, Knight Farm Machinery’s Trailblazer trailed sprayers have received a raft of updates, including Active-Rinse Pro. Operated via the Fluid Control Pro touchscreen, the Pro development enables automated clean water tank filling, followed automatically by progressive filling of the main tank.
In the wash-out phase of spraying mode, clean water is provided at spraying pressure to the spraying circuit for thorough in-field wash-out. The suction hose is blown out under air pressure. It is also now possible to specify from the factory the Hypro Cleanload Nexus closed-transfer system, and an IBC closed-transfer induction point.
Boom updates
Boom developments include new Knight Contour Master terrain-tracking technology for tri-fold booms (30-42m). It uses four sensors across the boom in combination with advanced software to control height, tilt, levelling and variable geometry of each boom side (+/-5deg).
A further 6G version of Knight Contour Master uses six sensors and Knight’s own technology to manage additional variable geometry points between the inner and outer boom sections.
It also adds full independent automatic movement of the outer boom sections to the existing boom contour-following, providing 8deg of movement at the boom ends in both directions.
Another in-house development, KINS nozzle switching technology, provides the benefits of individual nozzle switching without the need for pulse width modulation.
Retaining a conventional nozzle body configuration, it allows single, triple or quad nozzle bodies to be specified and incorporates Knight’s proven air-actuated switching technology.
“Smart modules” – one per four nozzles – are mounted to the stainless steel boom line and protected within the boom structure.
Customers not requiring individual nozzle switching can choose to have the smart modules configured to provide traditional section switching, allowing the possibility of a low-cost conversion to individual nozzle switching at a later date.
Kuhn Farm Machinery
The latest updates to Kuhn’s sprayer range include future technology that will help users apply crop protection products with greater precision, help protect the environment and reduce input costs.
The company’s trailed range starts with the Lexis; an entry-level range available with tank capacities of 2,400, 3,000 and 3,800 litres, with boom widths from 18m up to 28m.
More advanced is the Metris 2 range, with two models of 3,200 and 4,100 litres and an increased range of booms up to 38m. Four levels of suspension are integrated into the Metris, with drawbar and axle suspension, a suspended boom and the Equilibra system, which ensures the boom remains parallel to the chassis.
New technology
Technologies in development include the I-Spray spot-spraying system, which has been developed in partnership with Carbon Bee to offer different applications depending on the crop.
A key benefit of the targeted system is reducing product use and cost, compared to current methods, by up to 95% in some crops, according to Kuhn.
Furthermore, the environment is better protected as applications are targeted to the plants that require it, and blanket applications are avoided. This also helps to reduce the chances of herbicide resistance.
The system works from live data fed via hyperspectral sensors positioned along the boom. These are lightweight and use a wide-angle view, so the number of sensors required is reduced. The control module uses the data to activate individual nozzles to target the specific plants or areas.
Three application modes are possible: green-on-brown spot application to target weeds on stubbles; green-on-green spot application for weed detection in growing crops and, finally, green-on-green using variable-rate application.
This allows a low- volume spray across the width with targeted individual dosing when weeds are detected.
This is particularly useful to treat whole fields that could require a smaller dose, but increased rates to specific plants. Kuhn says variable-rate application of fungicides, growth regulators and nitrogen will be possible using crop biomass measurements.
Integration with Isobus interfaces and the MyKuhn digital platform are possible with the system. It is being trialled across the company’s full range of sprayers this year.
Kverneland
The most advanced model offered by Kverneland is the iXtrack T4 with the iXflow Air boom recirculation system. Standard build includes a 4,000-litre tank, with options for 3,400 or 4,600 litres depending on requirements.
Boom widths extend up to 40m and it comes as standard with AutoTrac steering and hydraulic braking. Furthermore, the axle has hydraulic suspension, which works alongside the floating boom to maintain an accurate, consistent application height regardless of ground contours.
Headland management is handled with the ErgoDrive system, which can be activated at the push of a button. This automates necessary machine functions at the end of a pass, enabling the operator to focus on safely navigating the tractor and sprayer through the headland turn.
ENFO priming and rinsing come as standard on the machine, with spray lines filled with the chemical before spraying to be ready at the point of application.
This technology makes up the iXclean system, which can be further upgraded with iXclean Comfort, adding semi-automatic valve control; iXclean Pro for fully automatic electronic valve control, with a one-push cleaning function; and the iXflow-E system.
Variable-rate application
Various licences are available through the IsoMatch Tellus terminal, including spot-spraying, using specially designed variable-rate application maps to target specific areas within the field.
Pulse width modulation (PWM) is also available, with on-the-move adjustment of the opening and closing of the nozzles, matching droplet size to the forward speed of the machine without affecting the flow rate.
With PWM, operators gain access to iXcurve, which adjusts the output of the sprayer across the width of the boom to avoid over- or underdosing during turns.
Recent updates include the integration of Kverneland Sync, which provides key spraying data through the IsoMatch FarmCentre platform. This includes task documentation, application tracking and detailed performance metrics, as well as geofencing features with real-time location tracking.
While the iXtrack T4 offers the highest specification, the highest output comes from the T6 model, with a maximum capacity of 7,600 litres, and retaining many of the features seen across the range.
Landquip
Landquip claims it offers the most comprehensive range of trailed sprayers, with tank sizes ranging from 3,000 litres on the Electrac, to 4,200, 6,000, 7,000 and 8,000 litres in the InTrac range. All feature pneumatic level-ride axle suspension with twin, triple, or quadruple airbag systems.
New black high-density polyethylene tanks with ultra-smooth, easy-clean surfaces are constructed to an optimised radius design with minimum 17deg angled fall to the drain/suction sump.
Strategically placed along the length of the bottom of the tank is a stainless steel agitation tube for continuous, thorough mixing of the tank load during filling, transport and spraying.
Ride control incorporates a combination of pendulum and trapezium self-levelling geometry with individual left and right boom hydraulic anti-yaw on boom widths from 18m to 48m.
Ultrasonic, individual wing control uses three or five sensors depending on boom width and the severity of terrain, ensuring constant pre-set spray target height is achieved as low as 30cm.
Accurate dosing
Flowtron pulse width modulation is available on all boom sizes for precise control of each nozzle’s flow rate while pressure and droplet size remain constant, avoiding over- and underdosing.
Extra advantages include turn compensation, automatic nozzle-by-nozzle control, droplet size consistency and variable-rate application across the boom when using Landquip Umbrella fertiliser jets.
Sharing the same DNA as the large 6,000-, 7,000- and 8,000-litre InTrac sprayers, the trailed PowerTrac offers intelligent power on demand from its hydraulic drive system, using a load-sensing, high-torque, axial piston pump driven at 1,000rpm by the tractor’s PTO, transmitting up to 130hp to the sprayer drive axle.
The PowerTrac’s operating system has two forward and two reverse speeds with a top speed of 18kph for in-field applications and is claimed to be extremely advantageous when reversing into headland corners.
New for 2025, the PowerTrac comes with hill descent control, which helps when driving down steep slopes in forward or reverse. The sprayer wheel motors resist downhill over-run and maintain downhill speeds to avoid jack-knifing. Four preset levels attain the hydrostatic braking required.
Vicon
Vicon machines are offered with the iXspray system. This enables operators to access SpotSpray functionality, using specially designed variable-rate application maps to highlight problem areas in the field, which the sprayer then automatically targets.
As well as saving chemical, with a potentially positive effect on efficacy, the design of the map also makes it clear how much product will be required, while the capacity of the machines means a greater area can be covered.
Higher-specification machines include the featured iXclean Comfort, which is a semi-automatic valve control system, with an electrical level indicator and suction valve.
This system has automatic fill stop and remote control of the rinsing and priming functions. It can be upgraded to the fully automatic iXclean Pro, with electronic control of all functions in the Isobus terminal.
Circulation system
To ensure that there is no underdosing at the start of a pass, iXflow-E is fitted to the top-end machines.
This high-pressure circulation system, combined with electric nozzle control, keeps product moving through the sprayline, stopping sedimentation throughout the machine and ensuring that chemical is always available at the nozzle when spraying starts.
Further technology options across the boom include Boom Guide Pro, with three ultrasonic sensors which independently control the left- and right-hand side of the boom to maintain correct application height.
This can be upgraded to Boom Guide ProActive, which controls the central and independent slope correction, as well as boom lift functions to stay a preset distance above the crop or the soil. On T-models, it’s also possible to fit two additional sensors across the boom.
ErgoDrive headland management is standard on trailed machines, automatically controlling sprayer features at the end of each pass to enable the operator to focus on steering the machine.
This is combined with the steering axle, which follows the tractor wheels into the next tramlines.