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]

What is the Active Phased Array Radar System?

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

Introducing the DJI Relay, a powerful accessory to enhance your drone's capabilities. Whether you're in agriculture, surveying, or any industry that demands precise positioning and data transmission, the DJI Relay has you covered.

Key Features:

High Precision Positioning: The DJI Relay utilizes RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) technology to provide centimetre-level positioning accuracy for compatible DJI drones. This level of precision is essential for applications like surveying, mapping, and precision agriculture.

Multi-GNSS Compatibility: Equipped with support for multiple global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) including GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo, the DJI Relay ensures accuracy and reliability in positioning data.

Rapid Initialization: The RTK system in the DJI Relay allows for fast satellite signal acquisition and rapid initialization, enabling your drone to achieve high precision immediately after startup.

Long Baseline Flexibility: Some RTK Base Stations offer support for long baseline distances, providing flexibility in setting up the base station in various environments, including challenging terrains.

Data Logging and Real-time Correction: The DJI Relay is capable of logging positioning data for post-processing and analysis. Additionally, it can transmit correction data to your drone in real-time, ensuring accurate positioning during flight.

User-Friendly Setup: DJI designed the Relay with ease of use in mind. It comes with an intuitive interface and can be quickly set up in the field, saving you time and effort.

Seamless Integration: The DJI Relay is compatible with specific DJI drone models, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance. It works in tandem with the drone's RTK-enabled receiver for precise positioning.

Built-in Communication: Some versions of the DJI Relay feature built-in communication modules like 4G or OcuSync, allowing for remote operation and data transmission without the need for additional external devices.

Weather Resistant: Designed to withstand various weather conditions, the DJI Relay ensures reliable operation in different environments, ensuring your drone can perform even in challenging weather.

Elevate your drone's capabilities with the DJI Relay. Experience cm-level accuracy and seamless data transmission for your most demanding applications.

Standard rental package "dry hire" includes:

1 x DJI  Relay standard inclusions 

Item	3 days	7 days	14 days	30 days
Standard rental package above	170.00	300.00	500.00	800.00
Figures are Ex. GST. Rental terms and conditions apply. Security deposit required. Extra batteries available for an additional fee. The estimated shipping fee each way in Australia for this item is as below, sent via Toll or Australia Post if preferred. Overnight express also available as needed. Note that the shipping duration (days in transit) are not included as billable days in your hire agreement: Sydney - Canberra ~ $35  Sydney - Melbourne ~ $35 Sydney - Brisbane/Sunshine Coast ~ $35  Sydney - Adelaide ~ $36  Sydney - Perth ~ $52 Sydney - Darwin ~ $76 Sydney - Hobart ~ $66

Contact the DFH Head office on [email protected] or 1300 029 829 for more information, availability, and pick up / drop off arrangements. 

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This is DJI's RTK system (similar to a Trimble GNSS receiver), for cm-level accuracy spraying. Without this, the Agras can drift off course by about 1-2 m as it moves along its Field Plan. Compatible with the T40, T30, T10, P4M, P4R.

Main features includes:

High Precision Positioning: RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) technology provides centimeter-level positioning accuracy for compatible DJI drones. This is crucial for applications like surveying, mapping, and precision agriculture.

Dual-Frequency GNSS: RTK Base Stations usually support multiple global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) including GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo. Dual-frequency GNSS enhances the accuracy and reliability of the positioning data.

Fast and Accurate Initialization: RTK systems enable rapid satellite signal acquisition and fast initialization times, allowing the drone to achieve high precision quickly after powering on.

Long Baseline Support: Some RTK Base Stations support long baseline distances, allowing flexibility in setting up the base station in various environments, especially in challenging terrains.

Data Logging and Transmission: RTK Base Stations often have the capability to log positioning data for post-processing and analysis. They can also transmit correction data to the drone in real-time for accurate positioning during flight.

Easy Setup and Operation: DJI RTK Base Stations are designed for user-friendly setup and operation. They typically come with intuitive interfaces and can be set up quickly in the field.

Compatibility: RTK Base Stations are compatible with specific DJI drone models, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance. They work in tandem with the drone's RTK-enabled receiver for precise positioning.

Built-in Communication Options: Some RTK Base Stations feature built-in communication modules such as 4G or OcuSync, enabling remote operation and data transmission without the need for additional external devices.

Weather Resistance: RTK Base Stations are often designed to withstand various weather conditions, ensuring reliable operation in different environments.

Standard rental package "dry hire" includes:

1 x DJI  RTK Base Station and Tripod standard inclusions 

Item	3 days	7 days	14 days	30 days
Standard rental package above	420.00	790.00	1400.00	2500.00
Figures are Ex. GST. Rental terms and conditions apply. Security deposit required.  The estimated shipping fee each way in Australia for this item is as below, sent via Toll or Australia Post if preferred. Overnight express also available as needed. Note that the shipping duration (days in transit) are not included as billable days in your hire agreement: Sydney - Canberra ~ $129 Sydney - Melbourne ~ $151 Sydney - Brisbane/Sunshine Coast ~ $177 Sydney - Adelade ~ $204 Sydney - Perth ~ $382 Sydney - Darwin ~ $391 Sydney - Hobart ~ $450

Contact the DFH Head office on [email protected] or 1300 029 829 for more information, availability, and pick up / drop off arrangements. 

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Very handy for knocking over small jobs that are missed by the boom / crop duster such as sections of blackberry in gully's, steep areas, fence lines etc. Small, light and easy to carry on and off a ute to get spraying and seeding jobs done fast. No CASA licence needed if on your own land.  Excess floor stock must go. 

The T10 is essentially a smaller-scale version of the T30 – it shares most of the same tech smarts (e.g. uses the same Agras app to fly, same front and rear FPV cameras and same spherical radar system), but has around 1/3 the spray tank capacity. Whilst its called the ‘T10’, the spray tank capacity is actually 8L (where the line is marked on the tank). However it is possible to overfill it to around 9.3L. Interestingly, the T10 can fly with the larger T16 (older model) batteries, taking your flight time from around 8 mins (T10 battery) to around 16 mins (T16 battery). This will however increase the total weight, as will overfilling the spray tank.   But where the elephant fails the mouse succeeds - being smaller that the T30 it is more agile, easier to re-fill and to carry around in general (weighs only 13kg when dry and no battery, and folds up to 30% of its original size). The T10 is generally very good for isolated target areas that utes and tractors cant access or get bogged in after rain – hilly,  rocky or low lying terrain. It can spray 16.5 acres per hour on average (with a dosage of 4.8 L/acre, spraying width of 5 m, speed of 5 m/s, and height of 2 m). The T10 can also carry 12 kg of solid dry particles via the optional spreading system.

Click here to read about the 4 Steps required by CASA to be able to operate a spray drone on your own land in Australia.

Main features includes:

1. Efficient Spraying: The Agras T10 is equipped with advanced spraying technology, capable of covering large agricultural areas efficiently and precisely.
2. High Payload Capacity: Designed with a large payload capacity, the T10 can carry a significant amount of liquid for spraying, reducing the need for frequent refills during operations.
3. Modular Design: The drone features a modular design, making it easy to replace parts and perform maintenance, ensuring minimal downtime and maximizing operational efficiency.
4. Intelligent Operation: Offers intelligent flight planning and control features, allowing users to plan spray routes, set flight parameters, and monitor the operation in real-time for precise and targeted spraying.
5. DJI Agriculture Management Platform: Integrates with the DJI Agriculture Management Platform, providing a comprehensive solution for farm management, data analysis, and workflow optimization.
6. Advanced Sensors: Equipped with high-precision sensors and GPS technology, enabling accurate positioning and obstacle avoidance during flight, ensuring safe and reliable operations.
7. Variable Spray System: The Agras T10 supports variable-rate spraying, allowing farmers to adjust the spray volume based on specific crop needs, optimizing the use of pesticides and fertilizers.
8. Customizable Nozzle Configurations: Offers customizable nozzle configurations, allowing users to adapt the spraying system to different types of crops and field conditions for optimal coverage and effectiveness.
9. Long Flight Time: Provides a long flight time per battery charge, allowing the drone to cover extensive areas in a single flight, reducing the need for frequent battery swaps.
10. Dustproof and Waterproof Design: Designed to withstand challenging agricultural environments, the Agras T10 features a dustproof and waterproof design, ensuring durability and reliability in various weather conditions.
11. Remote Controller with Integrated Display: Comes with a dedicated remote controller featuring an integrated display, providing real-time telemetry data and live video feed, enhancing the operator's situational awareness.

Considering Ownership After Rental

If you've been enjoying your rental drone, here's an opportunity to make it a permanent part of your gear. Once your rental period is complete, you can choose to purchase the rental drone and save the waiting time for its arrival.

Drone Specs:

For detailed specifications and additional information, please visit the DJI Agras T10 web page.

Standard rental package "dry hire" includes:

1 x DJI Agras T10 standard inclusions 

2 x extra battery (3 in total)

Item	14 days	30 days
Standard rental package above	4090.00	7580.00
Figures are Ex. GST. Rental terms and conditions apply. Security deposit required. Extra batteries available for an additional fee. The estimated shipping fee each way in Australia for this item is as below, sent via Toll or Australia Post if preferred. Overnight express also available as needed. Note that the shipping duration (days in transit) are not included as billable days in your hire agreement: Sydney - Canberra ~ $101  Sydney - Melbourne ~ $101 Sydney - Brisbane/Sunshine Coast ~ $101 Sydney - Adelade ~ $97 Sydney - Perth ~ $207 Sydney - Darwin ~ $270  Sydney - Hobart ~ $299

Contact the DFH Head office on [email protected] or 1300 029 829 for more information, availability, and pick up / drop off arrangements. 

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The DJI Zenmuse L1 is a LiDAR and RGB camera payload designed for aerial surveying and mapping applications. Here are the main features:

1. LiDAR Sensor: Equipped with a Livox LiDAR module capable of capturing detailed 3D point clouds at high speeds, enabling accurate mapping of terrain, structures, and vegetation.
2. RGB Camera: Features a 20-megapixel RGB camera for capturing high-resolution images, providing additional visual data to complement the LiDAR point clouds.
3. Large Field of View: The LiDAR sensor has a wide 70-degree vertical field of view and 360-degree horizontal field of view, allowing for comprehensive coverage during mapping flights.
4. High Accuracy: The Zenmuse L1 can capture accurate LiDAR data with a measurement accuracy of up to 5 cm (vertical) and 10 cm (horizontal), providing reliable and precise mapping results.
5. Real-Time Data Processing: Supports real-time LiDAR data processing and point cloud visualization, allowing operators to assess the data quality and coverage during flight.
6. Seamless Integration: Designed to seamlessly integrate with DJI Matrice 300 RTK drone, providing a complete aerial mapping solution.
7. Rugged Design: The Zenmuse L1 is built to withstand challenging environmental conditions, making it suitable for various mapping applications in different terrains and climates.
8. DJI Terra Compatibility: Compatible with DJI Terra, DJI's mapping software, allowing users to process and analyze LiDAR and RGB data efficiently, create 3D models, and generate detailed reports.
9. Multi-Sensor Fusion: Supports multi-sensor fusion algorithms, combining LiDAR data with RGB imagery for enhanced mapping accuracy and richer visual information.
10. Survey-grade IMU: Integrated with a high-precision Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to ensure stable and accurate data capture during flight, even in challenging flight conditions.

Considering Ownership After Rental

If you've been enjoying your rental camera, here's an opportunity to make it a permanent part of your gear. Once your rental period is complete, you can choose to purchase the rental camera and save the waiting time for its arrival.

Camera Specs:

For detailed specifications and additional information, please visit the DJI Zenmuse L1 web page.

Standard rental package "dry hire" includes:

1 x DJI Zenmuse L1 standard inclusions 

Item	3 days	7 days	14 days	30 days
Standard rental package above	900.00	1790.00	3190.00	4500.00
Figures are Ex. GST. Rental terms and conditions apply. Security deposit required. Extra batteries available for an additional fee. The estimated shipping fee each way in Australia for this item is as below, sent via Toll or Australia Post if preferred. Overnight express also available as needed. Note that the shipping duration (days in transit) are not included as billable days in your hire agreement: Sydney - Canberra ~ $27  Sydney - Melbourne ~ $26  Sydney - Brisbane/Sunshine Coast ~ $27  Sydney - Adelaide ~ $28  Sydney - Perth ~ $42 Sydney - Darwin ~ $52 Sydney - Hobart ~ $48

Contact the DFH Head office on [email protected] or 1300 029 829 for more information, availability, and pick up / drop off arrangements. 

3 Requirements to dry-hire  

(1) A security deposit

About 80% of the retail value of the equipment new. Can be paid via regular bank transfer or as a hold/freeze for the on your credit card for the deposit amount.   

(2) Public Liability (PL) Insurance

Required in case of third party property damage or injury. You will need a Certificate of Currency showing Drones for Hire listed as an 'interested party' (since DFH is the owner of the equipment).   

Note that 'hull' insurance (covers costs associated with repairs / replacement of  the drone itself), is  not mandatory since we take a security deposit. You may choose to have your own hull insurance so you are covered in case there is a crash / theft and DFH needs to retain some of the security deposit for repairs (parts and labour) or replacement.

(3) A Drone licence  

You / the drone pilot, will need a CASA drone Licence (RePL) and to be listed as a pilot under a CASA Operators Certificate (ReOC). Note the insurance companies usually require an RePL and ReOC so you will likely have these already if you have PL insurance (point 2 above). 

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The DJI Zenmuse P1 is a high-resolution photogrammetry camera designed for aerial surveying and mapping applications. Here are the main features:

1. High-Resolution Imaging: The Zenmuse P1 features a 45-megapixel full-frame sensor that captures highly detailed images for precise mapping and surveying.
2. Global Mechanical Shutter: Equipped with a global mechanical shutter, the camera eliminates rolling shutter distortion, ensuring accurate and sharp image capture during fast-moving flights.
3. Interchangeable Lens Support: Supports interchangeable lenses, allowing users to choose the appropriate lens for specific mapping and surveying requirements, providing flexibility in capturing various field conditions.
4. Centimeter-Level Accuracy: When integrated with DJI's RTK module, the Zenmuse P1 can achieve centimeter-level accuracy, making it suitable for high-precision mapping applications.
5. TimeSync 2.0: DJI's TimeSync 2.0 system aligns the camera, flight controller, and GNSS module, optimizing the camera's position data for accurate geotagging of images.
6. Smart Oblique Capture: The Zenmuse P1 supports Smart Oblique Capture, allowing the camera to capture images at different angles during flight, enhancing the efficiency of 3D modeling and mapping.
7. Seamless Integration: Designed to seamlessly integrate with DJI Matrice 300 RTK and Matrice 200 Series V2 drones, providing a complete aerial mapping solution.
8. High Efficiency: Capable of capturing up to 3 frames per second (fps) in the single-shot mode, ensuring efficient data collection during mapping missions.
9. PPK (Post-Processing Kinematics) Support: Supports PPK technology, enabling precise geotagging of images during post-processing, improving the accuracy of the mapping data.
10. DJI Terra Compatibility: Compatible with DJI Terra, DJI's mapping software, allowing users to process and analyze mapping data efficiently, create 3D models, and generate detailed reports.

Considering Ownership After Rental

If you've been enjoying your rental camera, here's an opportunity to make it a permanent part of your gear. Once your rental period is complete, you can choose to purchase the rental camera and save the waiting time for its arrival.

Camera Specs:

For detailed specifications and additional information, please visit the DJI Zenmuse P1 web page.

Standard rental package "dry hire" includes:

1 x DJI  Zenmuse P1 standard inclusions 

Item	3 days	7 days	14 days	30 days
Standard rental package above	490.00	890.00	1490.00	2680.00
Figures are Ex. GST. Rental terms and conditions apply. Security deposit required. Extra batteries available for an additional fee. The estimated shipping fee each way in Australia for this item is as below, sent via Toll or Australia Post if preferred. Overnight express also available as needed. Note that the shipping duration (days in transit) are not included as billable days in your hire agreement: Sydney - Canberra ~ $35  Sydney - Melbourne ~ $35 Sydney - Brisbane/Sunshine Coast ~ $35  Sydney - Adelaide ~ $36  Sydney - Perth ~ $52 Sydney - Darwin ~ $76 Sydney - Hobart ~ $66

Contact the DFH Head office on [email protected] or 1300 029 829 for more information, availability, and pick up / drop off arrangements. 

 

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1. Availability: By having a T40 yourself, you can spray/spread anytime. No more waiting for helicopter pilots to show up, or for the ground to dry out. And less stressing about missing a spraying window in relation to timing with irrigation or incoming rain.   

2. Efficacy: The drones' propellers sit just 3m off the ground, forcing the droplets down and circulate them to get more liquid on-target (on the weed/plantation). Drones very often achieve the same kill rate with less water and less chemical.

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 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  

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 laughable. Even having a spray drone purely as a backup can create an ROI 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.  

5 reasons to consider DFH as your spray drone supplier & partner

1. DJI Agriculture Authorised Service Center (ASC) & Authorised Dealer 

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. 

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 images from 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.

To speak to a DFH representative about your spraying, mapping or drone related goals in general, reach us on 1300 029 829 or [email protected] . 

More information to consider:

Spray drone case studies & articles  
Image gallery: spray drone demo days
Spray drones for sale
Mapping drones for sale (regular images & NDVI) 
Thermal drones for sale (animal spotting etc) 
Finance providers - get quotes
CASA requirements for spraying 
Chemicals license requirements (ChemCert tickets etc)
Parts store (spray drone parts) 
View upcoming ag. demo days

This is the full and regularly updated video tutorial list.
Click the top right "list" icon to show all the videos.

T40 Fruit Tree Mapping

A quick walk through on the a DJI AGRA T40 fruit tree mapping setup and execution.

DJI agras T40 Spreader Calibration
A quick walk through on how to calibrate a DJI Agra T40 spreader by adding a new material to the material list.

M3M mapping. 1 of 3 on Mapping, Terra and Spraying
This is the first video about the three step process used to map then process in terra and finally executing a prescribed spraying mission.

Target Plant Spraying in Terra
A very quick and rough look at target plant spraying in Terra. Stay tuned for a set of three videos covering the process of mapping, processing in Terra, and spray execution.

T40 Fence Line and Boundary spray
This is a quick walk through of one way to set up a fence line or fire break spray run. It involves using the route segment tool along with the auto boundary option. The process will require a little tweaking to get right, and it also can be done with or without prior mapping.

T40 Fruit Tree Tree Crown Spot Spraying
Using the T40, a quick walk through of how to run a Tree crown or targeted spot spray mission. The first step is to map the area (see the 1st video above).

T40 flight logs - controller to agms, agms export KML files for use in GIS applications.

Using Digital Surface Model to Extract Contours from DJI Terra.

Interviewer:

A bit of midnight oil and forgotten years on 14942AY, a wide crowd still pumping out here. The Henty Machinery Field Days is a lot of good people here as the jingle says and of course you can get your tickets for tomorrow at hmfd.com.au. We're still here with Nick Smith from dronesforhire.com.au. Now you've got a couple of local places where you're actually setting up some of these drones right now. 

Nick Smith:

Yeah we do. We have some customers, a lot of interest coming from the Aubrey -Rodonga area and we have customers operating in Bethanga, Tulangata, Gandharing and some of those areas surrounding those places as well. 

Interviewer:

A couple of beautiful locations. Now tell us about your setup day if we're interested in some of these amazing drones. 

Nick Smith:

Yeah sure so with every spray drone that we supply we include a full setup day with customers and that enables or ensures that they're using it confidently and so on the setup day we include preparation for spraying, helping to plot out their missions on their particular piece of land so we can understand by visiting their property we can understand their country and their terrain and help guide them about the best way to use the spray drone for each section of their property. So we include a full setup day and we also do mapping on that day as well so we can map out sections of their property and focus on the highest priority areas that the customers have for spraying weeds that are otherwise hard to reach. 

Interviewer:

Fantastic you keep talking about I guess these hard to get to areas and I mean it's why these drones are the best option instead of your quad bikes and all those sorts of things that can be quite dangerous. 

Nick Smith:

Yeah 100% so spray drones have really become famous for spraying in areas that are hard to access so very steep terrain gullies, rocky areas you know traditionally the farmers have always used things like quick sprays but they can be very hard work because you're walking up and down hills all day. Quad bikes can be quite dangerous because obviously when it gets steep they can roll over and be a hazard. and helicopter operators are good, but they have less precision and accuracy and they're often booked out because everyone wants to book them at the same time. So spray drones have very effectively resolved those problems and offered what we think is a more optimal solution for spraying difficult access areas. 

Interviewer:

Absolutely. Tell us a little bit about the spot spraying as well. 

Nick Smith:

Yeah, so if you have, say for example, Blackberry on steep terrain, you're not necessarily or quite often not using the drone in a way you would fly an RC car or an RC helicopter, so you would actually map the area first and then draw circles around where the Blackberry is and then the spray drone will go off and only spray those circled areas automatically on its own. 

Interviewer:

That's fantastic, isn't it? 

Nick Smith:

Yeah, so it's not manually flying the drone when you're doing spray drone work. 

Interviewer:

Stuff way over my head, but it might not be, of course, over some of the farmers in this region who can come out and find a little bit more about dronesforhire.com.au and grab one of these amazing sprays. In terms of inquiries or anything like that, Nick... the best place to grab you is of course at the website. 

Nick Smith:

Yeah, yeah, that's right. So it's dronesforhire.com.au. We're the largest drone site in Australia. We've been operating for 10 years and we focus on agricultural drones. And yeah, if you're at the Henty Field Days, come and have a look at our stand. Otherwise have a look at the website and I'm very happy to chat with anyone who's got country like that and has a problem spraying their weeds. 

Interviewer:

Nick Smith, thank you very much for joining us. I feel like I'm a drone expert now after the last hour or so. Thanks for joining us on 2AY and enjoy the rest of the Henty Machinery Field Days. Thanks very much, Panda.