A lot of thought has gone into getting the operator experience right on the latest self-propelled sprayer from one of Britain’s leading manufacturers.

The Househam Merlin comes with a larger cabin with increased glass area; a bespoke touchscreen information and control terminal now mounted on the seat; and optional SprayPilot auto-steering that relieves the operator of visual bout matching and boom switching.

“The operator doesn’t even have to heave the filling bowl up and down – a hydraulic cylinder does that at the press of a button,” points out Rob Willey, Househam managing director. “There’s one in the cab and another on a control panel used to operate the electric valves for the rinse, fill, recirculate and spray programmes.”

Nor should the Merlin take as long to wash down at the end of a spraying job because a lot of the components are shielded by all-enveloping panels.

“Our design engineers have addressed the criticisms that some operators level at our Air Ride sprayers while creating a truly modern machine with the latest technology,” adds Mr Willey. “It bears comparison with any other self-propelled sprayer in its class.”

A drop-down panel reveals the side-mounted spray system with four-cylinder Altek P260 pump and isolation valve; filter access is from the underside.A drop-down panel reveals the side-mounted spray system with four-cylinder Altek P260 pump and isolation valve; filter access is from the underside.

The two-year development project that yielded the all-new design also resulted in reconfigured booms carried on centre-pivot rather than pendulum suspension. They return to a level stance more quickly and stow more neatly by folding at 13m.

“This reduces the length of the sections parked along both sides, so there’s very little tip overhang at the rear,” explains design technician Adam Fryer. “And because the booms sit low and level, the view to the rear from the cab is clearer.”

Househam’s own ultrasonic active levelling is available for the 13/24m boom, which now comes with flow-through end caps for improved circulation. Lechler triple nozzle bodies are standard, with twin lines and Altek’s Airstop pneumatic nozzle valves among the options.

Househam’s now seat-mounted total machinery control (TMC) provides vehicle and sprayer instrumentation, and incorporates a guidance display.

Two versions will be available: the 3,000-litre GRP and 4,000-litre GRP or stainless steel tank models sit on a chassis with 0.5m longer wheelbase than Air Ride versions for greater stability and improved ride. The 5,000- and 6,000-litre stainless steel tank versions have another 0.5m between the active air-sprung axles.

Househam’s latest in-house TMC terminal incorporates Linux and Microsoft Windows operating systems and data can be transferred to Farmade GateKeeper software in the farm office. Remote connection via a modem pinpoints the machine’s location and provides data collection, as well as remote interrogation from the factory to check out faults before a service technician.

FieldMaster section control to avoid overlaps and a multi-body nozzle option that allows wide speed variation at consistent pressure are also among the technology options.