As one Defra agency appears to be finally learning the painful lessons of IT rollouts gone wrong, another seems to have walked into the same trap. Alanco Sprayranger gets an update
ALANCO’S Sprayranger has been taken back to the drawing board and has emerged bedecked with some new ideas and updates.
The 2011 version of the lightweight sprayer, assembled in Kent, will have a new engine, transmission and air compressor system, plus a revised boom design.
Powering the Sprayranger is Ford’s TDCi 140hp four-cylinder engine, mated up to a ZF electronically-controlled automatic transmission. This gives ten forward and two reverse ratios, with a dashboard display offering the driver information on forward speed and engine operation and diagnostics.
Air is supplied by an engine-driven compressor system, which supersedes the previous electrically-driven unit. This compressor, with greater output, powers the Sprayranger’s air suspension system, plus actuates the folding steps and an onboard airline for cleaning the machine down. Useful for blowing out the radiator and air filter. The new boom now offers a neat feature in that the outer sections can be angled upwards, allowing the driver to set these so to prevent the tips catching the ground on undulating terrain.
The 2010/11 version of the Sprayranger keeps a tank capacity of up to 2,500 litres, with booms of up to 24m. The machine’s design means an unladen weight of just 4,000kg, making it one of the lightest on the market matching well with the Sprayranger’s well known low ground pressure qualities. The machine’s reduction drive axles provide up to 700mm of ground clearance, depending on the wheels and tyres fitted. Four-wheel steer is optional, and a variety of controllers and guidance or auto-steer systems can be fitted.
