A new flagship model, the RB60, pushes Bateman’s self-propelled sprayer range into virgin territory, with its biggest-ever tank and a redesigned boom to boot.

Joining RBs 30, 40 and 50, the newcomer gets 6,000 litres of spray capacity without gaining any height, thanks to a widening of the tank base and side-saddling of clean water vessels at the top. 

There’s a different chassis, too; the RB60’s wheelbase extended by 70cm to accommodate the larger tank and, given it weighs at least 9.7t, improve balance.

See also: Driver’s View: Ed Glover’s Knight KT2060 trailed sprayer

© MAG/Oliver Mark

Plumbing has also been revamped, with the routing of wider bore pipework simplified to deliver a more direct flow. Filling speed has risen to 1,200 litres/min with the firm’s “fast fill” setup.

Downstream, there’s a new variable geometry boom that has been lightened and strengthened with a view to increasing maximum width from 42m to 48m in the future.

Bigger pins have been fitted at key pivot points, their added weight offset by swapping box section for folded plate gussets in some places.

It is available with a 25cm nozzle spacing option for the first time, as well as Capstan’s Pinpoint III pulse-width modulation system – a £25,000-ish option fitted on an estimated 50% of Bateman’s biggest machines.

This now works with Carbon Bee’s weed detection and spot spraying technology, for those willing to throw the kitchen sink at application accuracy.

In the cab, operators get a new joystick with colour-changing customisable buttons that are duplicated with simple switches.

Power is provided by a 275hp John Deere engine – up 50hp on RB50s – and sent through a 60kph E-Drive+ transmission.

An RB60 comes in at £250,000-£300,000.