The "DFH Batch Master" is designed for mixing chemicals with water for use in drone spraying applications. By purchasing and using this device, the buyer acknowledges and agrees to the following terms and conditions:
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The manufacturer, distributor, and sellers of the "DFH Batch Master" (collectively referred to as "the Company") shall not be held liable for any injuries, damages, or losses resulting from the misuse or improper handling of the device, including but not limited to chemical exposure, equipment malfunctions, or any accidents arising from the use of the device.
Compliance with Safety Guidelines:
The buyer is solely responsible for reading, understanding, and complying with all safety guidelines and instructions provided with the "Batch Master". This includes the safe handling and mixing of chemicals, proper maintenance of the device, and adherence to all relevant safety regulations and standards.
Assumption of Risk:
The buyer assumes all risks associated with the use of the "DFH Batch Master", including but not limited to risks of personal injury, property damage, and environmental harm. The buyer agrees to use the device in a safe and responsible manner and to take all necessary precautions to prevent accidents and injuries.
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The buyer agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Company from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising out of or in any way connected with the use or misuse of the "DFH Batch Master".
Warnings:
Chemical Exposure:Mixing chemicals can be hazardous. Always use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, goggles, and protective clothing, when handling and mixing chemicals.
Proper Ventilation:Ensure that the mixing area is well-ventilated to avoid inhalation of fumes or vapors.
Chemical Compatibility:Verify the compatibility of the chemicals being mixed to prevent dangerous reactions. Consult the chemical manufacturer's guidelines for proper handling and mixing procedures.
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Travis Couch says if anyone would have told him two years ago he’d be flying drones, especially as a business, he’d have told them they’re crazy.
But Friday, the Jackson Township man shared how he’s launched a busy drone agricultural spraying operation.
Couch’s business is called Stone Valley Drones, and he specializes in aerial agricultural application.
“I found out about it through the internet,” Couch said, “and actually I was only thinking about getting into it to spray some of my own land.”
From there, his plans took off, and he now has two drones. The first one he purchased is a smaller one, about 3 to 4 feet wide, the larger one measures about 6 feet wide and can carry 115 pounds. They are much larger and more expensive than personal drones people may have for their own use.
“I started into this around March of this year, taking training, a test and finally earning my drone pilot certification,” Couch said. “Then I had to get my state pesticide applicator certification.”
In addition to those certificates, he also needed to start his own pesticide business to comply with other regulations.
He was then set to get started in his drone spraying business.
Couch’s new venture wasn’t all smooth sailing at first though, he crashed his first drone while learning how to operate it. But he didn’t let that deter him and purchased another drone while waiting for the insurance claim on the first one to get settled.
Now fully operational, Couch can apply fungicides and insecticides over any crop, and says aerial application has an important advantage.
“By spraying using a drone, we’re not damaging any crops on the ground by vehicle wheels or spraying equipment arms,” he said.
He even had one job that required him to spray for gypsy moths in forested areas.
“That was scary since I was maneuvering the drone around and between trees,” said Couch.
He said his new venture is keeping him busy.
“Once word got out I was doing this, and had all of the required certifications, I found myself being busier than I expected” said Couch. “I’ve used the drones for spaying fields around the area and as far away as Williamsport.”
He said he can cover about 3-4 acres on one battery charge. A battery will last about 10-12 minutes. The larger drone can carry about 8 gallons of product, the smaller one holds about 2 gallons.
“Another thing is if someone wants a plane to do aerial spraying, the field must be at least 100 acres in size,” he said. “So I can go in and do spraying from the air using a drone for those type of needs.”
Couch has also found another use for his drones.
“I can also plant seeds like grass and cover crops (such as alfalfa) using a small seed spreader that I put in place of the spraying tank on the drone,” he said.
Couch explained the maximum height he’s allowed to fly his drones is 195 feet, the highest he’s gone so far is 105 feet.
“It works best if I’m spraying about 10 feet above the crops, so I rarely have the need to go very high unless it’s around trees or other obstacles,” he said.
The drones can zip along at about 30 feet per second and cover an area of about 20 feet wide with their spray.
There is quite a bit of technology involved in using drones to spray fields. Couch said he doesn’t just stand and pilot the drone every inch of the way.
“I’ll try to go around the outside boundaries of the field getting marker points, then fly the drone on an automatic pattern,” he explained.
That means that using a pre-set program the drone will fly back and forth across the field and with the right distance between passes to cover the area without skipping or overlap.
Planning for aerial spraying can take a little bit of extra work though.
“Although the drones are equipped with forward and rear-facing cameras, I must be able to see the drone when it’s flying,” Couch pointed out. “I’ve stood on the ground, stood on someone’s house roof, even rode on the top of a log skidder, to make sure I can see the drone at all times,” he said.
Couch offered a demonstration of the drone spraying application to a group of Juniata College students from the Raystown Field Station Friday morning in a field behind Couch’s Sub & Grocery near McAlevys Fort. They are taking the training to become drone pilots and visited with Couch for pointers and to see the technology at work firsthand.
“When I started into this, I’ll admit I was a little nervous,” he told the students. “But as I’ve learned more and more, and especially with the support of the company where I purchased the drones, I feel much more confident and comfortable with what I’m doing.”
Couch has a lot invested in what he’s doing, including two drones, batteries and a rack unit for on his pickup where the pesticide tanks, battery charging unit and a generator are located. He’ll also need to fulfill continuing education requirements to maintain his state pesticide applicator permit and would like to take some additional training for his drone pilot authorization, but he sees those as worthwhile investments in his endeavor.
“I believe this is going to be a growing business, and, in fact, I look for more uses for drones in a lot of different ways in the future,” he said.
Brochure & sales speak aside, the DFH Ag team has come up with our own top 5 reasons why we think the T50 is the best spray drone in Australia.
1. More hectares covered per hour
Spraying: The manufacturer quotes 21 ha per hour. This is higher than any other similar model in Australia, the T50 achieves this due to its upgraded speed and flow rate of 24L per min (running all 4 x spray lances).
Spreading: The manufacturer quotes 108 kg per minute (empties the hopper in about 30 secs), or 1.5 tonnes per hr. Also higher than any other similar model in Australia. The T50 spreader is larger than the T40 one and has a more consistent output rate of granules.
Even the older DJI T40 model was able to cover more hectares than the current closest competitor in Australia . In an online comparison video the T40 achieved 18 acres after 4 batteries and the other brand achieved 14.9 acres after 4 batteries. Compared to the T40, the T50 fly’s faster, and has a higher max flow rate, and larger capacity hopper. As a result, the upcoming T50 comparison videos will likely show a widening the gap even further , between DJI and its nearest competitors.
In addition to the T50 being the most efficient in its main function - spraying and spreading, the next point below discusses the importance of understanding the drone/aircraft itself is just one part of your whole setup out in the field – which involves various systems working together in order to achieve overall workflow efficiency.
2. A much more considered and integrated system as a whole
DJI is by far the largest drone maker in the world. Estimated more than 85% market share of the global drone market. Employing over 14,000 employees of which 25% are research and development-based, a testament to the company's list of world leading innovations and achievements. DJI’s depth and breadth of experience allows it to compound its strengths across multiple market segments such as agriculture, inspection, thermography, delivery, mapping and recreational flying. Some of DJI’s marked achievements are noted below:
2.a. In addition to agricultural drones DJI also makes the best mapping drones in the world by far (e.g. M3M, M350RTK), which are designed to work in unison with their spray drones.
2.b. DJI also designs and produces a long list of other world leading industrial drones such as the M3T thermal drone (animal spotting), Flycart30 (delivery) , Dock 2 (continuous automated monitoring) 2.c. DJI has by far the most advanced and easy to use remote controller (RC) with Ocusync 3 transmission technology , 4 x RF antennas on the AC and a large bright integrated screen and smart menu system.
2.d. DJIs thorough and unmatched testing process: the T50 was tested for over 12 months in China before being sent out to Australia and other markets.
2.e. Peace of mind regarding nozzle and droplets regulation: DJI has a manufacturer declaration that the T50 has been developed, constructed and verified to meet the technical requirements of the regulation and ‘certified nozzle’ LX8060SZ.
2.f.
Engineered to achieve good spraying results, not just short term sales. From our observations and testing, our opinion is that a spray drone operating at more than 10 MPS (meters per second), is likely to be significantly compromising its ability to achieve its job - getting spray droplets sufficiently down into the target (the weed or crop), and out to the sides (swath / spray width). This is likely because the aircraft is moving too far ahead of its own “sphere of influence” – the forces coming from the rotors. The rotors on a T50 are carefully positioned and engineered to drive and circulate the spray droplets downwards and outwards for optimal spraying efficacy, but only whilst the droplets remain inside this sphere of influence (not behind it). Be wary of any spray drone with a top speed of more than 10 MPS as whilst it may be flying over more hectares per day, it may only be applying some of the application rate that it was set to achieve. Also be wary if the spray drone has a ‘flat’ rotor layout – this suggests it is engineered only for lift, and not for both lift and optimal spray efficacy.
What does all this mean for an Australian farmer? It means that when you use DJI equipment, it feels right - the different components, systems, software’s, integrate together well. DJI has considered the wider user experience as a whole, rather than picking equipment specifications to work on in an isolated way.
Some of the benefits listed above of these are less visible when ‘window shopping’ but play a very important role when you’re out in the field trying to get hectares treated by a deadline. At the end of the day DJI have succeeded by being customer-centric - understanding that farmers want - a dependable machine that is productive, not overly complicated, and well thought out. You might choose the T50 for the same reasons you choose the LandCruiser - it focuses on the right things and gets the job done, and is the most dependable and well supported asset every time.
3. Unique dual-purpose design (broadacre and complex terrain)
Some spray drone manufacturers took the easy path - designed their machines for broad acre work – large flat areas with no trees or obstacles. These are easy conditions for the drone to perform in. Getting a spray drone to confidently navigate and spray in trickier country is much more difficult – steep terrain, trees, powerlines, gully’s etc. The T50 has a uniquely powerful perception system - phased array digital radars on both the front and back, plus 2 x sets of binocular vision cameras. These features form a much more advanced overall perception system for the aircraft, enabling it to confidently move through and spray/spread on areas of your property you’ve never been able to access with a quad or tractor or quick spray setup.
T50 is the only choice if you're looking for a flexible multi-terrain machine. It is not simply a flying boom sprayer. Put your T50 to work on a wider variety of tasks such as seeding, stabilizing steep areas, spraying weeds in gully’s or rocky areas, spraying up close to trees and fence lines on ridges. And see a faster return on investment from your spray drone.
4. Superior features and performance when compare to nearest competitors
As with any farming machine, by buying the best and most ubiquitous spraying drone from the largest and best drone manufacturer in the world, you are making a relatively safe investment and will see a more reliable resale value than choosing a sub-par brand.
5 reasons why spray drones are booming in Australia in 2024
1. Availability: By having a T50 yourself, you can spray/spread anytime, day or night in a moment's notice. No more waiting for spray contractors, helicopter pilots to show up, or for the ground to dry out. Spend less time worrying about missing tight time frames that are right to spray in.
2. Efficacy: The drones' propellers sit just 3m off the ground, forcing the droplets down and circulating them to get more liquid on-target. Drones very often achieve the same kill rate / desired effect with less water and less chemicals.
3. No ground compaction Meaning no yield loss & no machine wear from ground impacts. Particularly so for small plot broad acre drone spraying
4. Accuracy and precise control: Spray drones can get into steep areas you've never felt safe taking your tractor into, or near fence lines, close to trees, gullies etc.
5. Safety: spraying via drone allows you to stand back at a distance meaning reduced risk of chemical exposure.
El Niño's demise and La Niña's emergence is gaining traction, increasing the odds Australia will face another lengthy period of above average rain and cooler temperatures by the back half of 2024 (ABC article). Not being able to spray because the ground is too wet or the area is inaccessible can create large losses for any farmer - sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars. An event like this can make the cost of adding a spray drone to your list of machines insignificant. Even having a spray drone purely as a backup can create a return on investment in just a year or two when used at those critical times when your boom sprayer is out of action, helicopter pilot is too busy, or your contractor is unavailable. It's also quite likely your neighbors will take an interest and ask you to spray sections of their property as well, meaning there's potential for a new side-income stream.
Important to note, there's more to it than just buying one - spraying by any method, needs to be done at the right application rate, performed carefully to manage drift, and done on-time. Like most farming activities, it is a workflow which can also be done efficiently or inefficiently. The drone spraying workflow usually involves designing aircraft missions with the controller (see 2-min video), moving chemical/granular into it, battery charging, trailer design and whether pre-mapping (see 7-min video ) is needed or not.
It helps to be supported by people who use the equipment themselves and know what they're doing and to be connected to a community of other drone sprayers. People who can assist you with understanding your spraying goals and the capabilities of drone, setting you up properly and with legitimate equipment, planning suitable spray missions for each section of your property, supplying useful value-adding accessories and supplying parts and support quickly when needed to reduce machine downtime. The initial cost of the equipment is important, but it's only the first step and only one part of the consideration set when you plan for long term success and cost minimisation.
Choosing between the DJI Agras T25 and T50 for agricultural purposes depends on the specific requirements of your farming operations. Here are some scenarios where the T25 might be a preferable choice over the T50:
Smaller Farm Size: The T25 is light, nimble, and flexible, with smaller dimensions when compared to the T50. This makes it better suited for smaller or more confined agricultural lands where a smaller drone can maneuver more easily and efficiently. A T25 tends to be the go to option for farmers with land smaller than 100 hectares and who won’t be spraying often (often is considered twice a month or more).
Cost Efficiency: The T25 comes at a lower cost. Additionally both initial investment and operational expenses are less. If budget constraints are a concern, opting for the T25 could be more economical while still providing the necessary capabilities for agricultural tasks.
Ease of Handling and Transportation: Due to its reduced dimensions and weight, the T25 can be easier to transport and set up , especially if your planning to be operating on your own. Easy to put on and off the back of the ute, easy to quickly pack up and move up to the next patch of weeds, again - especially if your a single person operation.
Specific Crop Types: Certain types of crops or agricultural practices may not require the higher application rates and range that the T50 offers. In such cases, the T25's capabilities might be perfectly adequate, making it a more targeted and efficient choice.
When considering which drone to use, it's important to assess the specific needs of your operation, including the size of the area to be serviced, the type of crops, available time to complete the tasks and budget considerations. The T25, with its compact size and flexibility, may just be the better option for smaller, more budget-sensitive operations.
Why choose DJI
Market Leadership and Global Presence: DJI was founded in 2006 and has grown to become the world's leading drone manufacturer. The company has a significant global presence, with its products available in over 100 countries.
Versatility: DJI offers a diverse range of drones catering to different needs and budgets. From compact consumer drones like the Mini 4 Pro and Mavic 3 series, enterprise drones like the Mavic 3 Enterprise and Matrice 30 series, to the Agriculture drones like T50, T40 and FlyCart, DJI provides options for aerial photography, cinematography, mapping, agriculture, search and rescue, and more.
Quality and Reliability: DJI drones are known for their high build quality and reliability. They undergo rigorous testing to ensure they can withstand various environmental conditions and deliver consistent performance. Whether it's capturing stunning aerial footage or performing complex maneuvers, DJI drones are trusted by hobbyists, professionals, and industries alike for their dependability.
Agriculture Solutions: DJI has a dedicated line of drones and solutions for the agriculture industry. Their agriculture drones, such as the Agras series (i.e. Agras T50, Agras T40, Agras T10, etc.), are specifically designed for efficient crop spraying, field monitoring, and data collection. These drones help farmers optimize their operations, save time and resources, and improve crop yields.
Ecosystem and Software: DJI's software ecosystem includes apps for flight planning, post-processing, and data analysis, providing comprehensive solutions for drone users across industries. Specifically for agriculture, the DJI Terra app provides a comprehensive solution for farmers, agronomists, and agricultural professionals to plan, execute, and analyze drone operations for various agricultural tasks, such as Field Mapping and Surveying, Plant Health Monitoring, Crop Scouting and Inspection, Variable Rate Application, Irrigation Management and Workflow Automation.
Accessories: DJI has built a robust ecosystem around its drones, offering a wide range of accessories and add-ons to enhance functionality and performance. This includes spare parts, batteries, propellers, gimbals, and camera upgrades, allowing users to customize their drones according to their requirements.
Customer Support and Community: DJI is known for its strong customer support and active user community. The company offers comprehensive customer service, tutorials, and resources to help users get the most out of their drones. Additionally, DJI has a vibrant online community where users can share tips, techniques, and discuss their experiences.
Why choose DFH
1. DJI Agriculture Authorised Service Center (ASC) & Authorised Dealer
Our stock (T40’s, M3M’s etc) is legitimate and correct for the AU region and backed with an official DJI warranty. Being an Ag focused DJI dealer means our capability is uniquely focussed around spray drones and mapping drones. Here are some example imagesfrom setup days and demo days. And some example instructional videos . DFH has supplied over a hundred Agras units to growers and contract sprayers nationwide. Clients also include the QLD dept. of Agriculture and Fisheries, WA Dept. of Primary Industries, CSIRO, AECOM, Department of Defence, Charles Sturt University, Southern Cross University, and Anglo Coal. Other non-ag focused DJI dealers are likely to be focussed on the more common consumer drones which significantly affects their capacity to guide and support agricultural customers.
2. Onsite training on your property
DFH has technicians in most states who own and use this equipment themselves and are competent in drone-spraying and mapping operations. Our technicians are qualified with CASA type ratings/endorsements, and are often farmers themselves. Doing the setup day at your property is important as it means your technician will be able to understand the terrain in conjunction with your specific spraying/spreading goals and be able to advise the best spraying methods for each section of your property. They may also be able to map and start spraying/spreading the paddocks that are the highest priority for you to get started. Before the day, your technician will send you a list of pre-setup day procedures (activations, charging, firmware updates etc) that you can do at home so you can hit the ground running when he arrives.
The DFH team also includes degree qualified engineers, photogrammetry experts, PhD’s, OAM, robotics experts, members of agribusiness advisory committees, and an ex-RAAF pilot. The team has a diverse mix of capabilities who can assist with the various goals and challenges our customers face and bring to us for professional advice. This could be about facets of their unique workflow design to maximize hectares covered per day, capture and interpretation of multispectral data, software setup, trailer design and engineering (to carry drones, IBC carrier tank, batching tank, chemical tank, generator, pump etc), custom modification of your spray drone, and payload lifting kits.
3. Included spares kits and spares availability
DFH includes a spares kit with your spray drone order - spares that typically wear out sooner than other items (e.g. washers, sealing rings), and items that are good to have onsite ready to go if you have a mishap (e.g. propellers). Being able to continue spraying on the same day can make a huge difference especially when under time pressure with e.g. weather coming in.
In addition to supplying spares kits, DFH also maintains an extensive parts supply in NSW, ready for express shipping when customers need to get flying again fast.
4. DFH-exclusive value adding products
The DFH team of engineers and technicians has developed our own DFH-unique products designed to help our customers optimise their workflow when spraying/mapping. These include for example our T40 Fast Mover wheel sets, fast-fill tank caps, custom spares kits, HDS: Heavy Droplet Spinner discs, Granular Sherpa System, dual 15-amp socket extension cables, cooling station modifications, custom made CNC hard cases, and modified laptops for faster image processing on the go.
5. Backed by the largest drone site Australia since 2013
DFH has deep roots in the Australian drone industry. We started in 2013 , building DJI Flame Wheel F550 ARF Kits (pre the first Phantom and pre the MG-1P - DJIs first spray drone). With 10 years of relevant experience DFH has now grown to become Australia's largest drone site, supplying $M of hardware sales each year and attracting more than 40,000 drone marketplace requests.
When do i need an RTK mobile station, and when do I need a mapping drone?
Complexity of your country
RTK makes your drone more precise and stable in how it moves around. So if you have a lot of trees, steep hills and complex country in general, RTK will help you operate and steer the drone with extra surety and confidence.
Adding a mapping drone such as an M3M adds more surety again to your spraying mission as it essentially gives your spray drone all the information in advance as to the ‘lay of the land’ its about to head in to - in effect showing the spray drone the height changes and trees etc before it even takes off.
The ‘google map’ showing on your controller screen is relatively low resolution, relatively old (maybe 1-3 years), and low accuracy (it was created by GNSS satellite imagery, not RTK ).
By mapping an area with a mapping drone, you will be able to solve these limitations:
High resolution - zoom in and mark precise spraying area boundaries,
Recency - you know that the map your looking at was made as at the day you flew the mapping drone,
Accurate - because the mapping drone needs to connect to your RTK base station, you know the position of trees and other features are correct to centimeter level accuracy. This means it's good to prepare prescription spraying missions from.
GPS, Size of area and frequency of spraying
Basically , the more you spray in general the more important precision becomes, because the cost of any inaccuracy increases proportionally to how often you're spraying. Especially if ‘GPS’ (GNSS) is known to be relatively weak on your property, you will be more likely to be slightly overspraying or under spraying since the spray drone may not maintain its route spacing and or height as well. This GNSS accuracy affects every drone and make , since 99% of drones determine their position based on satellite connections . GNSS accuracy is a contingency on every property, but is pretty good in many areas of Australia compared to some other countries.
Using RTK in conjunction with a mapping drone
If you have a RTK mapping drone such as the M3M, you can produce a high resolution map, view it on your PC then shade-in specific areas of the map to spray - you then save the map and put it into your T50 RC to execute the mission as a prescription spraying mission rather than a blanket spraying mission. You will need an RTK base station to do this since the spray drone needs to know precisely where the clump of e.g. blackberry is otherwise it will head out and spray e.g. 2m to the side of the clump of blackberry.
To take things further, the M3M has a regular camera and a multispectral camera meaning you can create NDVI maps that show where there are variances in health across your crop, and then automatically prepare a variable spray rate mission for your T50. See the M3M page for more information on this.
If you're planning to be a contract sprayer (spraying on other peoples properties for an income), it's very likely you should get the RTK base station and M3M as you will be spraying more often and in a variety of conditions described above which you will need to be prepared for in advance.
Whereas if you are using the T50 on your own property, and on a more casual basis, you may not see the need for RTK or mapping drone. you can always add these later if you are initially unsure. The DFH team will always be ready to help by asking the right questions to help you decide.
What licencing is required to fly a spray drone
Flying a spray drone, such as the T50 and T25, entails two essential licenses and one optional certification:
Remote Pilot Licence (0-7 kg RePL):
The RePL is indispensable for drone pilots as it imparts fundamental knowledge and regulations essential for safe drone operations. It covers the basics of flying drones and ensures compliance with aviation rules.
Type Rating:
A Type Rating is necessary for operating aircraft weighing over 25kg. Given the T50 has a minimum weight of 39.9kg and the T25 is 25.4kg, they both mandate a Type Rating. Despite similarities between predecessors (T40 and T10), each model requires a separate Type Rating according to CASA rules. Type Ratings are not interchangeable. For instance, if you own both a T50 and T25 drone, you will need a different Type Rating for both.
If intending to undertake contract work with the T50 or T25, obtaining an ReOC is necessary. This certificate allows individuals or businesses to operate drones commercially under specific regulations.
In summary, an RePL and a Type Rating are mandatory for flying the T50 and T25, while a ReOC is optional - its for commercial contract work / work not done on your own property.
How much can I earn as a contract spray drone operator?
DFH maintains the largest network of agricultural spray drone and regular drone operators in Australia. On average, spray drone operators tell us they earn around $35 per ha for broad acre work and $275.0 per hour for spot spraying work. You should always consider the amount and type of competition available at each specific site. Some customers will opt for a boom operator if lower cost, but will quickly pay more for a drone operator if the boom is unavailable due to wet country, repairs or if hes just too busy / booked out. And some sites literally cant be done by any other means such as steep country with powerlines – in these cases a T50 with its advanced radars can be the only way to treat that area and e.g. unlock more valuable grazable land for your customer.
Other useful material
Droplet size and drift study report for DJI T40 & T50: download here.
Manufacturer declaration for certified nozzle: download here.
MSDS sheet for DJI Agras T50 battery: download here.
By now you may have noticed spray drones are becoming much more popular in Australia. So who’s buying them? For large broadacre plots, spray drones won’t cover as much ground per day as ground based sprayers.
SP sprayer 600-800 ha/day
Smaller boom sprayer 200-230 ha/day
T50 or T40 100-130 ha/day
Existing spray systems for large operations are a big capital investment and unless operating a precision agricultural enterprise, the yield loss created by ground based sprayers trampling crops is not high enough to advocate switching to a spray drone, for larger plots. For crop spraying (as opposed to weed spraying), spray drones such as the DJI Agras T50 and T40 have therefore seen a faster up take for smaller sized broadacre plots (e.g. 25ha or 50ha) for the following reasons:
1. Owners of smaller sized plots are less likely to own an SP sprayer / ground based sprayer or manned aircraft as they just wouldn’t see a good enough ROI / utilization of the asset.
2. Manned aircraft pilots (as spray contractors) charge more per ha for small plot owners (e.g. $25/ha instead of $15) and are known to de-prioritise them (or even refuse the work) especially in high demand times
3. Availability: just having a spray drone onsite means you can knock off some spraying at will, anytime (day or night). No waiting for people to turn up, for the weather or waiting for the ground to be prepared. Just get it out and start spraying -particularly useful when its time sensitive (e.g. an 8 day spraying window after irrigating cotton).
4. For ground based sprayers the land preparation time, and machine prep time relative to spraying time is much higher (e.g. preparing rotor bucks, syphons, checking for holes, rocks, checking nozzles, inspecting the machine, etc)
5. Maintenance cost due to wear and tear is also much higher with ground base sprayers because they impact against the ground as they roll.Also ground driven spray rigs have a lot of moving parts (stering, suspension, engine) and therefore lots of water parts and lubrication points. 6.For some plantations, cotton for example, the last 3-4 sprays (of 7 sprays per season) must be via plane or helicopter (when the cotton canopy has joined up between rows). It can make sense to purchase a spray drone rather than pay an aerial contractor.
A T50 or T40 may be considerable for larger properties
If the property has a relatively high ratio of difficult terrain (steep and or rough ground: holes, rocks).
If you are growing crops that respond particularly well to the strong droplet penetration and circulation effect created by the drone. You can therefore reduce the water rate. Fertilizer has gone up 2* and chem 3* in cost in the last 18 months.
To have a T50 or T40 simply as a backup , especially for when crops are advanced (e.g. Spring time , fungicide sprays) or when its very wet and the ground machines can’t get across the ground.
One of the main barriers to drones in Australian ag is the fact that it is new technology. The average farmer is over 50 and are often doing the same thing they have been doing for a long time. As drones become more common and growers see that they are an effective tool they will inevitably become more accepted. It will take a different way of thinking for example, it may be advantageous for growers to invest in spray drones and use a contract ground rig. As opposed to the traditional arrangement where growers own ground rigs and use contract manned aircraft for in crop sprays.This type of system would allow growers to get onto fields no matter what the conditions(wet, when contractors are in high demand, in-crop spraying for pests etc) and use ground rigs when they are cheaper and easy to find contractors.
About us: Drones For Hire (DFH) is an Ag-specific DJI dealer meaning our capability is uniquely focussed around spray drones and mapping drones. We have representatives in most states who own and use this equipment themselves and are highly competent in drone spraying and mapping operations. Amongst our team we have farmers, contractors and drone experts that can assist in operations and in utilizing drones in different agriculture systems. DFH also maintains an extensive parts supply in NSW, ready for express shipping when customers need to get flying again fast. We started in 2013 and have grown to become Australia's largest drone site, supplying $M of hardware sales each year and attracting more than 40,000 drone job requests.
Feel free to ask us about your property’s suitability for a spray drone via phone or email 1300 029 829 or [email protected]
The active phased array radar system on the T50 drone is an advanced technology that allows the drone to perform precise and efficient obstacle sensing and avoidance. This system utilizes an active electronically scanned array (AESA) to electronically steer the radar beam, enabling rapid scanning of the drone's surroundings without the need for physical movement of the antenna. By incorporating a binocular vision sensor system, the T50 drone achieves 360-degree horizontal omnidirectional obstacle sensing, enhancing its safety and maneuverability during flight. This radar system is crucial for agricultural applications, such as crop spraying, where the drone needs to navigate through complex environments while avoiding obstacles to ensure accurate and efficient operations.
What's so good about the Radar upgrade?
As technology continues to revolutionize farming practices, the DJI T50 spray drone emerges as a beacon of efficiency and reliability, equipped with the latest advancements in aerial agriculture. At the heart of its capabilities lies the upgraded Active Phased Array system, a game-changer in precision farming. Here's why the T50 is a must-have for farmers:
Unmatched Versatility: While its predecessor, the T40, boasts impressive features, the T50 takes versatility to new heights. With the ability to navigate slopes of up to 50°, compared to the T40's 30° limit, the T50 ensures no terrain is too challenging to conquer.
360° Situational Awareness: Imagine a drone that sees everything. With an omnidirectional 360-degree field of view, the T50 comprehensively understands its surroundings, enabling precise navigation and obstacle avoidance.
Height Precision: Farming requires precision at every level, and the T50 delivers. With a height measuring range of 1-50m and a height fixing range of 1.5-30m, surpassing the T40's ranges, farmers can now execute missions with unparalleled accuracy, optimizing crop treatment and monitoring.
Safety First: Agricultural drone farming demands intelligent safety measures. The T50's advanced perception system coupled with auto-braking capabilities ensures swift response to obstacles, significantly reducing the risk of accidents. With the ability to halt horizontal speeds of up to 10m/s and vertical speeds of 3m/s, farmers can rest assured that their investment is protected while maximizing operational safety.
In conclusion, the DJI T50 Drone with its upgraded Active Phased Array system represents a leap forward in agricultural drone technology. From conquering rugged terrains to ensuring precise crop treatment, the T50 empowers farmers to embrace efficiency and safety like never before.
Are you interested in advancing your drone technology skills? Drones for Hire provides the DJI T50 Type Rating Certification, designed for current Multi Rotor RePL holders. With this certification, you gain the ability to operate your personal T50 drone on your property. If you plan to extend your flying activities to other properties, consider obtaining an additional ReOC license in conjunction with your type rating certification.
Pricing
Here is the pricing for Type ratings (for T30/T40/T50) in a single booking/day. It's possible to do up to 3 people in one day.
1 person – 889.0
2 person – 1389.0
3 person – 1689.0
Pricing is inc GST
The travel fee is $68c per km and can be calculated when we match your location to the nearest Type Rating Instructors location.
FAQs’
Q1: Does my T40 type rating apply for the T50 as well?
A1: No, type ratings are specific to the drone you got it for. However it does make the process faster and easier for you if you have the T40 type rating given the similarities between the drones.
Q1: Can I fly my T50 drone anywhere with the type rating?
A1: The DJI T50 type rating certification allows you to operate your T50 drone on your property. However, if you intend to fly on other properties, you may need to obtain an additional ReOC license.
Q2: Can I fly any large drone with the T50 type rating?
A2: No, the T50 type rating is specific to the DJI T50 drone and does not grant permission to operate drones over RePL standards. Different certifications or licenses are required for larger drones.
Q3: How long does it take to complete the type rating certification?
A3: The duration to complete the DJI T50 type rating certification varies based on prior experience. If you are familiar with DJI products, such as the T40, the endorsement can take just a few hours. However, for those less experienced, it typically involves training courses and assessments, spanning several days to weeks.
Q4: What are the prerequisites?
A4: To obtain the DJI T50 type rating certification, you typically need to hold a Multi Rotor RePL (Remote Pilot License) and fulfill any additional qualifications specified by relevant authorities.
Q5: How much does it cost?
A5: The cost of obtaining the DJI T50 type rating certification varies and is listed above, however, If you get it with a T50 drone get $300 off your purchase.
Q6: Does it expire?
A6: The DJI T50 type rating certification does not expire.
Q7: What should I expect during the training?
A7: During DJI T50 Type Rating Certification training, you can expect to learn the following:
- Comprehensive instruction on the operation of the DJI T50 drone.
- Training on the maintenance and care of the drone.
- Practical hands-on experience in flying the DJI T50.
- Guidance on safety protocols and regulations.
- Evaluation through assessments or exams to ensure competency.
4.5kw rated power (constant power) Inverter pure sine wave Single phase 2* 15 amp sockets Reasonable Weight (ideally under 90kg) Reasonable noise, ideally under 75 dba.
9kw rated power (constant power) Inverter pure sine wave Single phase 2* 15 amp sockets Reasonable Weight (ideally under 150kg) Reasonable noise, ideally under 75 dba.
Charging mode
Dual-line fast charging/single-line slow charging
Two-channel input fast charging/single-channel input slow charging
Charging completion time
9-12 minutes to charge DB800 battery
9-12 minutes
Spreader Protection level and cleaning requirements
Overall perception system The T50 has phased array digital radars on the front and back, and a binocular vision system that is double that of the T40. It can terrain follow in 50 degree slope mountains. This creates smoother, more confident and efficient flying , and more careful assessment of obstacles and other risks.
One main imaging radar and a terrain sensor and no binocular vision system at all.
Range (how far it can go)
2km (The maximum flight radius that can be set).
Whilst 2km is the max that can be set in the RC settings, the Effective Distance / is actually 7km as it has DJI 03 Agras (Ocusync). OcuSync 3 is DJI’s state-of-the-art transmission system that they have been improving since they first introduced it. It’s far more reliable than Wi-Fi since it provides stronger transmission over long distances and in areas with interference. Ocusync has more transmission power, less latency, and higher resolution. Its unique to DJI and its commonly known amongst industry professionals that most if not all other systems are nowhere near as good.
1km (The maximum flight radius that can be set).
Because its without Ocusync, this can been even lower than 1km, due to obstructions and interference effecting non-Ocusync systems more. This is a big consideration, especially for commercial operators. Losing transmission between your RC and aircraft can add risk and complication you just don't need when your out in a field. And having to move your position/ trailer more often to get closer to your drone can diminish productivity (hectares covered) per day.
Spray width 'swath'
11m
10m
Speading width 'swath'
8m
7m
Remote Controller (RC)
Large proprietary RC with built-in screen.
Large bright 7-inch touch LCD screen to view and manage essential controls and instruments. 8-core CPU for built-in prescription-map making.
When out in the field you often have sun glare and pressure to get your hectares done. You need clear on-screen information to manage the job and feel confident and safe in your operations.
Sync everything to DJI SmartFarm to do pre/post job analysis including elevation analysis and things like orchard tree counting. Just one piece of equipment to use, nothing else to add. DJI technology is powerfully interconnected
No screen (need to use phone).
Phone screen often too small and not bright enough. Result: cant see enough mission information, cant see it clearly and difficult to tap individual options especially with large fingers. Also if its your own phone you wont be able to take calls and will have to keep attaching and detaching the phone and cable. No image processing (map making) capability on board the RC. And a small controller size overall is more cramped and less comfortable for large hands.
Mapping and variable rate spraying
Use the DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral (M3M) mapping drone to create a regular map or NDVI map of your crop. DJI Terra will create a variable rate prescription mission for the T50. Or choose to manually draw polygons (with PC mouse) around sections of the crop that need spraying. M3M + T50 is a powerful combination that can result in much smarter spraying than simply spraying everything and with the same application rate.
No mapping drone (regular or multispectral)
Mobility and weight
39.9kg without battery and empty spray tank.
Users often carry their aircraft short distances on to the trailer when changing position in field or from trailer into shed at end of day.
54kg (+14.1kg heavier ) without battery and empty spray tank.
Not practical when simply wanting to move it from your trailer to the ground ( to take off point) and vice a versa. Requires 2 people every time which effects workflow efficiency. If the tank is detachable and the weight comes down to 46kg without tank this is still too heavy for one person.
Minimum granule size spreader can handle
0.5 mm (500 microns) More flexible to accommodate finer particles
1 mm (1000 microns) Less flexible to accommodate finer particles
RTK and accuracy
Without RTK: Horizontal ±60 cm, Vertical ±10 cm RTK Enabled: Horizontal ±10 cm, Vertical ±10 cm
Without RTK: Horizontal ±60 cm, Vertical ±30 cm RTK Enabled: Horizontal ±10 cm, Vertical ±10 cm
If the drones vertical height keeps moving up and down by an extra 20cm this can make spray width (swath) less consistent and therefore can increase potential for under-spray / over-spray
Note non-DJI systems typically include something called VRTK (Virtual RTK) which can require the operator to quickly spray within just a 2hr window of mapping or be forced to redo their mapping process again.
Dirt, particle, dust proofing
level 5 protection against solid particles greater than 1mm, Partial protection against dust, and level 5 Protection against low-pressure jets (6.3 mm) of directed water from any angle (limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects).
not tested for ingress protection from solid particles or dust
Final thoughts
The T50 is a dependable spraying machine created by an unapparelled R and D team. This team has evidently focussed their attention on the entire workflow in order to maximise hectares sprayable per year, and for the most years (longevity).
In this example comparison, the long list of factors above are highly relevant and important considerations when purchasing an asset/machine for your property or contracting business.
Drones For Hire (DFH) is a DJI Agriculture Authorised Service Center (ASC) and authorised dealer. DFH has multiple staff certified as official DJI Academy Certified Agras Instructors & DJI Certified Agras Repair Technicians.
