In Precision Agriculture, the self-propelled machines perform a strategic role by gathering autonomy, technology, and smart operation on a single agricultural machine.
They not only replace the tractor - they deliver efficiency in applications, reduce waste, and have more control in the field operations.
Resources such as the variable rate, Nozzle-by-Nozzle Control System and telemetry enable the Stara self-propelled machines to apply precisely, either spraying, spreading and cover seeding — all of them with the same precision pattern that the precision agriculture demands.
In this article, you’re going to understand how the self-propelled machines provide agricultural efficiency, get familiar with its components, applications, and remarkable features — the Imperador line and Hércules line stand out as they are a reference in the field innovation.
How can self-propelled machines boost Precision Agriculture efficiency?
Using a self-propelled machine in the grain crop field boosts the agricultural efficiency by allowing accurate applications at the right time and with minimum input waste.
In practice, they gather autonomy, on-board intelligence, and connectivity to meet the farmer’s needs. The agronomist engineer, Lucas Luersen, explains:
"They are essential pieces of equipment for precision agriculture. Thanks to our Topper 5500 controller, we can apply fertilizers at a variable rate, reduce the cost of chemicals by using the Nozzle-by-Nozzle Control System and ensure safer applications and sustainable with technologies such as the Eco Spray."
This type of agricultural machine operates at high performance and full control due to technologies such as:
- Variable rate: adjusting the fertilizer meter according to the prescription maps.
- Nozzle-by-Nozzle Control System: avoiding chemical application overlap, reducing waste by using the sprayers.
The result is a more productive crop, sustainable and technically efficient, where each application is instructed by data — and not by estimations.
Operation of the agricultural self-propelled machines
Among the Stara agricultural self-propelled machines, the input spraying and spreading models stand out — two crucial operations in precision agriculture.
Each category of agricultural self-propelled machines has specific constructive and technology features, but share the same purpose: ensure autonomy, precision, and operating yield.
See the main components that make these strategic machines to efficiently apply in the field.
Engine, traction, and chassis
The Stara self-propelled sprayer of the Imperador line has Cummins® electronic engines that deliver high power and low fuel consumption, and less pollutant emission.
The 4x4 hydro electronic transmission with electronic traction control ensures performance even in bumpy terrains, and ensures the operator’s comfort.
The rigid chassis provides stability and reduces vibrations, which influences directly in the application quality — an essential factor for precise spraying operations.
Central booms: more stability and precision
Stara is a worldwide pioneer for having a central-boom sprayer, which ensure 58% of the chemical on target and keep the stability even at higher speeds or in bumpy terrains. This configuration improves the distribution of the droplets, avoids oscillations, and reduces the plant phytotoxicity.
Tanks
The chemicals solution tanks vary according to the model, from 2,000 to 4,000 litres, with a wave-breaker design that improves the homogeneity.
Additionally, all self-propelled machines feature a clean water tank, product incorporator and rinse tank — items that ease the preparation and cleaning of the applications.
Spray nozzles: types and adjustments on self-propelled machines
Choosing the adjustment of spray nozzles is crucial to avoid drift and ensure the correct application of chemicals.
The Stara self-propelled sprayers use trijet nozzle holders that ease the changing according to the chemical type and desired pressure.
Technical hint: for herbicide spraying, it’s important to use air-induction nozzles — a legal demand for plenty of situations — to reduce drift and protect the surrounding areas.
Continuous Recirculating System and chemical solution mixing
Other remarkable feature is the Continuous Recirculating System, which keeps the chemical solution homogeneous and moving, preventing sedimentation, improving application efficiency, and prolonging the lifespan of components.
Agricultural Topper controller 5500
Topper 5500 is the operation brain and a Stara remarkable feature. Thanks to it, the agricultural machine operator can set up variable rate, use the Nozzle-by-Nozzle Control System, Twin Row Spraying System, and has the “Follow-me” resource, which allows the intuitive machine cab adjustments, even for beginners.
Smart 4-Wheel-Steering System and ground clearance: more accessibility
The Smart 4-Wheel-Steering System enables the Stara self-propelled sprayers to be steered with up 45% less crop damage, especially on boundaries.
The Up & Down - Hydraulic Lift System allows the operator to increase the ground clearance up to 40 cm, enabling applications even during the advanced stages of the crop plants.
Self-propelled machines technology applied to Precision Agriculture
When it comes to agriculture technology, applying is not enough — you need to use your brains to apply. For this reason, the Stara self-propelled machines stand out by integrating technologies that boost yield, reduce costs, and increase the crop sustainability.
Nozzle-by-Nozzle Control System and Twin Row Spraying System: economy and quality
The Nozzle-by-Nozzle Control System of the sprayer automatically shuts off the spray nozzles where an area has already been sprayed. It prevents overlaps, reduces the costs of chemicals up to 5% and delivers a more sustainable application.
On the other hand, the Twin Row Spraying System found on the Imperador 3000 and 4000 models, allows the alternated or simultaneous usage of two row units with different flow nozzles. It enables speed ranges during operations without changing the droplet size, keeping the application uniform, and avoiding drift.
Variable rate application
Topper 5500 helps the Stara self-propelled machines to apply at a variable rate, adjusting the number of inputs according to the prescription maps. It means higher efficiency as the product is applied only where it needs to.
This resource is essential for the agricultural efficiency and for the rational usage of fertilizers, boosting yield and reducing the environmental impact.
Telemetry and Syncro
The Telemetria Stara allows the monitoring of the operation in real time, to make strategic adjustment easier and the efficient management of the machinery.
The Syncro technology allows up to four machines of the same function to operate with synchronization and sharing information. It allows the farmers to plan and optimize product usage efficiently, have faster processes, and ensure a more uniform and complete crop cover.
Weather condition sensors and Stara applications
The weather condition sensors integrated provide data about temperature, humidity, and wind direction, helping the farmer to choose the best conditions for applications. In addition, the Stara Spreading application speeds up the agricultural spreader calibration, optimizing the adjustment of the vanes, do profile tests, and assess the quality of the inputs on the smartphone.
To add more to the operation, the Stara Spraying App allows the operator to see the machine performance and estimate the savings provided by the on-board technologies.
Conecta: technical assistance from the factory for agricultural machines
By means of Conecta service, the operator can communicate with the factory technicians directly from the machine cab via Topper 5500 to solve questions or solve unexpected issues — without extra cost and an agile service.
Eco Spray sprayer and AI in the field
The Eco Spray self-propelled sprayer is a solution that has been taking the field operations to another level, providing higher precision, efficiency, and savings in the application of the chemicals. The system uses high-resolution cameras and artificial intelligence to identify and apply herbicide only where there are weeds.
Therefore, you can reduce the usage of chemicals significantly and save water, cooperating for a higher efficient agriculture and sustainability. The Stara engineer, Lucas Luersen, states:
"The Artificial Intelligence is in our products, and Eco Spray is proof. Each camera of the machine takes 15 pictures per second. Therefore, a spray boom featuring 37 cameras results in 555 pictures per second. The system analyses these pictures in real time and decides whether or not to apply to that place, in milliseconds. This is real precision."
Applications and advantages of self-propelled machines
More than autonomy, the Stara self-propelled machines deliver versatility with precision. They’re engineered to integrate operations that demand agronomic efficiency, yield, and reduce waste:
- Precise spraying of chemicals, with electronic flow control, Nozzle-by-Nozzle Control System, and Continuous Recirculating System — getting the most out of the products.
- Broadcast fertilizer application, with a variable rate, and prescription maps that prevent excess and failure.
- Small seed sowing, exclusive on Imperador 3.0, reducing the number of passes in the crop field and providing cover management. Luersen reinforces:
"The self-propelled machine allows safer and assertive applications with input savings and less waste. It all comes with easy operations, quick adjustments and technical assistance directly from the factory."
The Hércules 4.0 and Hércules 6.0 self-propelled spreaders are reference in the market by aligning robustness, profit, and high precision in broadcast fertilizer applications.
Developed for farms that pursue operating efficiency and agronomic quality, these models feature technologies such as variable rate control, telemetry, and Smart 4-Wheel-Steering System, allowing a uniform application and savings to any farm.
All these resources make the self-propelled machines strategic partners of the farmer, optimizing resources and delivering actual results in the field.
Conclusion
The Stara self-propelled machines are the stars in the agricultural scenario that is even more demanding and technological.
Having solutions that gather autonomy, precision and on-board intelligence, these machines take the yield standard to another level, reduce operating costs, and provide a more sustainable and efficient agriculture.
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.
