Meet Spencer

Near the end of 2017, Reynald bought a new (used) self propelled John Deere sprayer. One of the biggest decisions we have when bringing new machinery to our farm, is what to name it! 

After much debate, we all settled on Spencer the Sprayer!  

I have been waiting to introduce Spencer because Alicia has some wonderful images which she has not had a chance to share with me yet.  So, these first photos are not going to show Spencer off to full potential, but it will give you an idea of the latest addition to the Rolinco operation.

Spencer is so tall that this long entry ladder is needed to enter the cab!

It has taken me a while to warm up to Spencer but now I can honestly say that I think he is quite handsome.

All these tanks will hold water and a variety of pesticides, depending upon what our target spray is.  We only apply herbicide and fungicides in our operation.  

Spencer is a tall drink of water!  Spencer is equipped with technology that allows for individual nozzle control, or designated sections of control.  This is one of the benefits of the new technology.

We have had unseasonably warm weather for the month of January.  Both yesterday and Monday, Reynald and Alicia were able to work outside, changing the Spencer's spray nozzles.  Alicia tells me there are 96 nozzles!  They are changing from the traditional fan nozzle to a pulsating nozzle.  This is fairly new technology which we are eager to take advantage of.  They will cut down on spray drift and also apply the correct amount of product at all times, even when turning corners when one boom is stopped and the other side is whipping around at a high rate of speed!  

Reynald is working here on the electrical wiring associated with the pulsating nozzles.

Alicia, doing the same.  Alicia will be the primary operator of Spencer so it's important for her to understand every aspect of this machine.  

These two are such a good team.

This is a close up look at one of the pulsating nozzles.  

Each yellow tank has a 50 gallon capacity.  Two tanks can be linked together, to add more capacity, depending upon the needs of the season. 

Scott from Spray Center Electronics came out on Monday and again Wednesday to help wire in the electrical and satellite guidance system.

We have two sets of tires for Spencer.  These fat tires which we will use for spring spraying and a much more narrow profile which we will use if we need to apply fungicide later in the season, when the wheat is much taller.  In the past we would hire a crop duster to apply the fungicide.  We have not been pleased with the result, nor with the cost of application.  With the narrow tires we will smash some wheat during application, but not even close to the cost of aerial spraying, with better coverage.

Spencer's chubby tires.

The number of valves and electrical controls that Spencer holds is more than I can keep track of.

 Good help is always appreciated when working on big projects....

Charlie loves this weather.  Cool and sunny.

He especially likes it when Alicia is outside working so that he can keep a close eye on what she is doing!