Chafer will be one of more than 20 sprayer manufacturers at the Newark Showground. Trailed machines are the Lincolnshire company’s bread and butter, but it will also be showing a new self-propelled sprayer – the Chafer Multidrive FC.

Having again teamed up with Kellands Multidrive tractors, the new sprayer shares its chassis, steering and axle design with the Multidrive 6195, launched in 2008.

Changes

The main difference is the cab, which, like plenty of new sprayers on the market, hangs well over the front of the sprayer.

To accommodate the change, the engine has been relocated between the tank and cabin. This move has improved front-to-rear weight distribution, lowered the sprayer’s centre of gravity and freed up extra load space (now 4.15m). That means there’s also enough space to mount an 8t spreader and integrated hydraulic crane.

Other updates

Chafer has also developed a 120-litre Amistar applicator. Designed to apply the fungicide in the furrow during potato planting, it will be supplied and dressed in Grimme colours.

Chafer’s Air Stream pneumatic applicator has also been updated. Hopper capacity options now include 1,600-litre and 2,200-litres, with curved corners to improve emptying. There’s also a harder-wearing metering unit and a drain plug to empty the hopper quickly.

Transmission and engine

The Multidrive is one of the few self-propelled sprayers on the market to use a mechanical drive. A ZF-made transmission offers six automatically controlled forward speeds and three in reverse.

Steering front and rear axles are rated to 12t and road speed is up to 50kph, something the company hopes will appeal to contractors covering large areas.

Interestingly, the sprayer has an 18t towing capacity and can come ready with hydraulic or air brake couplings – ideal for tugging a bowser from field to field.

A 195hp, 6.8-litre John Deere motor remains the choice of power, although the cab/engine reshuffle has meant the cooling pack is now positioned on the side of the engine.

Spray pack otions

Tank options range from 3,000 to 5,000 litres and boom widths from 24m up to 40m. Filling speed is about 900-litres/min so it shouldn’t take you much more than five minutes to fill up (once you’ve got all your chemicals measured out).

All the valves are positioned on the back of the sprayer. Fully suspended booms with damping and multi-section air shut-off are optional, as is Chafer’s contour-following auto boom levelling system.

Specialist plumbing can be specified for those applying suspension fertiliser, too.

A 3,000-litre, 24m version costs about £160,000.