So that the agricultural spraying step is efficient, choosing the spraying machine requires more than just price or tank capacity.
Factors such as crop type, terrain, field size, application seasons, and on-board technologies are crucial for the operation performance and profitability.
In this article, you’ll understand what defines a good spraying machine, which technologies make the difference in the field and how to compare the main models, including the Stara self-propelled sprayers, which are a reference in precision and sustainability.
What is a spraying machine?
A spraying machine is the equipment responsible for applying agricultural chemicals, liquid fertilizers, or biological products with uniformity in the crop field. The purpose is to ensure that every plant receives the exact product meter at the right moment and with minimum waste.
There are different types of agricultural sprayers, from manual models, which are used in small areas to self-propelled machines with a high capacity, as the ones developed by Stara.
The difference between them is in the volume of the chemical solution, the automation level, and application efficiency. For example:
- A 20-liter backpack sprayer covers about 0.1 to 0.2 hectare, making it suitable for small applications;
- On the other hand, a Stara self-propelled sprayer such as Imperador 4000 can apply up to 50 hectares per hour with electronic control, boom stability, and metering precision.
This difference shows how much the technology applied to spraying has evolved. Thus, what used to be a time-consuming and costly task can now be carried out efficiently, traceable, and sustainable, ensuring the maximum use of crop protection products and the application season.
Why is it so important to choose the right spraying machine?
The correct choice impacts directly on the three modern agricultural production pillars: profitability, efficiency, and sustainability.
1. Profitability: reduce costs and increase yields
An efficient spraying operation is an investment that pays off. A sprayer with the right dimensions allows applications at the exact metering, spot, and time, avoiding overlap and product waste, two of the major factors that increase the cost per hectare.
Additionally, pieces of equipment with a higher operating capacity such as the self-propelled sprayers allow you to get the most out of the application seasons, reducing the risk for losses caused by the delay of pest and disease control. The outcome is higher yields and less cost per hectare.
2. Efficiency: precision and consistency in applications
The technical efficiency of the spraying operation depends on the application uniformity, flow control, and drift reduction.
Machines equipped with technologies such as the Nozzle-by-Nozzle Control System, electronic control of the flow, central booms, and the Continuous Recirculating System ensure safe and uniform spraying operations with minimum metering range and maximize the usage of chemical products. It means that there is lower risk of control failures and higher agronomic yield of the crop field.
3. Sustainability: less environment impact, higher yields
The self-propelled machines have evolved when it comes to protect the environment. Technologies such as the Stara Eco Spray System, which uses smart cameras to identify weeds and apply herbicides only where needed, considerably reduce the product volume used.
As a result, the farmer saves agricultural inputs, avoids contamination of non-target areas, and contributes to a more responsible and efficient farming.
How to choose the most suitable agricultural sprayer
Choosing a sprayer in the field depends on numerous operating and economic factors. According to Gabriel Fabiani, agronomist engineer, and Stara Product Marketing Analyst:
The size and shape of the fields are among the main criteria. Massive and flat fields favor the use of self-propelled sprayers, with a higher tank capacity and longer booms, while small and bumpy fields require lightweight equipment that is easier to steer.
This balance between area, terrain, crop type, and technological level is what determines whether the farmer will have a higher efficient, safe, and profitable operation. The following literature describes each factor that influences on this decision.
Size and shape of the fields
The larger and flatter the area, the higher operating capacity needs to be.
In flat and continuous fields, self-propelled sprayers ensure high performance and reduce refueling stops. In smaller areas, the ideal is to choose smaller machines that are easy to steer. Fabiani explains:
The farmer needs to assess the available time to apply the product. In short application seasons, choosing a self-propelled machine is the best option as it covers massive areas in shorter time, without losing precision.
Type and size of the crop
Crops of different sizes require different heights and settings. For short crop plants such as soybeans, wheat, and cotton, the standard ground clearance works well.
But for tall crop plants such as the corn tasseling stage, the late stage of sunflower or sugar cane, it’s crucial to use self-propelled sprayers with adjustable ground clearance, which ensure the ideal reach of the spraying operation without damaging plants or cause losses.
The Stara models are equipped with the Up & Down - Hydraulic Lift System that allows you to adjust the ground clearance from 1.60 m to 2.00 m, providing flexibility to operate in different stages of the crop safely and with stability.
Terrain type and stability of the booms
The area terrain is one of the points that most influence on the machine choice.
In flat terrains, you can operate at higher speeds and longer booms.
In bumpy areas, it is essential to rely on systems that keep the boom stable, such as Stara central booms, which provide better weight distribution and reduce oscillations, ensuring uniform application even under challenging conditions. Fabiani highlights:
The active suspension and the traction control make all the difference in a daily basis. They make sure of the spraying precision without impairing the operation speed.
Volume of the chemical solution and application technology
The volume of the chemical solution is another decisive criterion. High-volume spraying operations, such as contact-acting fungicide require large tanks and spray nozzles with higher flow.
For low volume applications focused to precision systems require electronic flow control and a quick response, something essential on modern self-propelled sprayers equipped with sensors and smart valves.
The Stara Continuous Recirculating System ensures a homogeneous chemical solution in the whole row unit, reduces residues and boosts precision from the first applied meter.
Local weather conditions
The climate should influence on the choice of the spray nozzles and spraying system adjustment. For windy weather, it is recommended to use anti-drift spray nozzles with larger droplets to reduce the product waste.
For warm and dry weather, the droplet size needs to be adjusted to prevent evaporation:
The operator should always follow the ideal weather conditions, wind between 3 and 10 km/h and proper humidity to make sure the droplets reach the target efficiently.
On-board technology and automation level
The modern sprayers go beyond the mechanical application. Today, the electronic precision is what defines efficiency and sustainability of the operation. Among the technologies the most influence on the result is:
- Electronic control of the flow: keep the exact metering even at different speeds;
- Nozzle-by-Nozzle Control System: avoids overlap and product waste;
- Variable rate: automatically adjusts the metering according to the area map;
- Hydraulic auto steering: ensures precise passes and reduce failures;
- Telemetria Stara and Syncro system: allow you to remotely monitor and synchronize more than two machines in the same field.
These resources are controlled by systems such as Topper 5500 or Topper 6500, which gather intuitive interface, application maps, data logging, making the process more reliable and traceable.
Technical assistance and maintenance
More than technology, the sprayer needs to be available. The technical assistance and after-sales have a direct role on the machine performance and lifespan.
The exclusive Stara service, Conecta, is an example of support that makes the difference: through this service, the operator can request remote technical assistance and solve issues and have calibrations performed in few minutes, without the need to leave the field.
A good after-sales service avoids long stops, makes sure the equipment operates calibrated and ensures the investment is worth.
Cost-benefit and sustainability
The final decision should balance investment, operating cost, environmental impact.
Machines that gather efficiency and precision reduce the consumption of agricultural chemicals, fuel, and application time. Technologies such as the Eco Spray that applies herbicide only where there are weeds boost the savings on agricultural inputs and reinforce the farmer commitment to sustainability. Fabiani concludes:
Choosing the right sprayer is as important as choosing the product to be applied. It’s what defines whether the technology and input become yield and profit.
See also: Trailed sprayer or self-propelled sprayer? | Stara
Stara solutions in agricultural spraying
Stara provides a complete line of self-propelled sprayers designed to ensure precision, operating yield, and sustainability in the field.
Each model meets a different farm need, taking into account the area, crop type, and application speed. The Stara agronomist engineer, Gabriel Fabiani highlights:
The farmer needs a machine that gathers agility and application quality. This is how Imperador stands out in the field.
Imperador line: technology and performance
The Imperador line is recognized by the stability of the central booms, spraying electronic control, and exclusive on-board technologies such as the Continuous Recirculating System, the Row-by-Row Shut-Off System, and integrated telemetry.
These resources ensure a uniform spraying operation, less product waste, higher yields per hectare, regardless of the terrain and crop type.
- Imperador 4000, the highest capacity of the line with a four-thousand-liter tank and thirty-six-meter booms is recommended for massive farms with short application seasons and focus in high yield per hour;
- Imperador 3000 has the same technology as Imperador 4000, but the tank capacity is 3,000 liters, ideal for farmers that pursue high efficiency with low initial investment;
- Imperador 2500 has a tank capacity of 2,500 liters and booms of up 30 meters, balancing the capacity and consumption. It’s recommended for medium and massive areas of soybeans, corn, and cotton;
- Imperador 2000/2000 PV is a versatile machine with a tank capacity of 2,000 liters. The Ponte Verde configuration adds a spraying system and a pneumatic seeding system, optimizing the time and reducing compaction;
- Imperador 3.0, the 3-in-1 machine that allows spraying, spreading and cover crop sowing by using the same path, reducing the operating costs and travelling.
Contact: Quotation | Stara
Learn more about the agricultural sprayers
The Stara blog has experts who provide the best information about this agricultural machine and other ones. See also:
- Self-propelled spray nozzle: main types and 10 hints | Stara
- How to avoid spraying drift by using self-propelled machines? | Stara
- Corn crop field: how to choose the perfect sprayer to grow it? | Stara
Choosing Stara is choosing efficiency and trust
With technologies developed in Brazil and technical support direct from the factory, Stara delivers agricultural machines engineered to have a long lifespan, with easy maintenance and full connectivity.
The Imperador line shortens this thinking: high operating capacity, precision, and sustainability in a single solution.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most suitable agricultural sprayer?
For massive areas, Imperador 4000 is recommended due to its high capacity and performance. On the other hand, Imperador 3.0 is perfect for those who pursue versatility, and the machine allows you to spray, spread, and sow cover crops by using the same equipment.
What’s the difference between Imperador 3000 and Imperador 4000?
Both feature the same technology package. The major difference is in the tank capacity (3,000 liters x 4,000 liters) and different engine power, which directly impacts on the autonomy and yield per hour.
Can Eco Spay be used for any crop type?
The system is efficient in soybeans, corn, and cotton crops. It enables the spot spraying as much for desiccation as for weed control during the crop plant cycle.
How does the technical support of Stara sprayers work?
Conecta provides remote technical assistance directly from the machine cab every day, weekends included. The operator is advised on adjustments, calibrations, and diagnostics in few minutes without the in-person technician service.
Did you like the hints and want to find out the agricultural machine that best suits your crop field?
Stop by a Stara dealer and find the most suitable equipment to boost your crop production. Request a quotation.
