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

Welcome to Drones for Hire's Repair Service! We are thrilled to introduce our drone repair services, led by our in-house engineer and mechanic, Mark. With a deep passion for the world of drone technology and years of extensive experience, Mark is dedicated to ensuring the prompt and safe return of your drones to the skies.

Expert Repairs

Our technical manager, Mark, is prepared to revitalize your drones. He specializes in the repair of damaged components, guaranteeing that your drone takes flight again with precision and reliability.

Update your Firmware

Keeping your drone's firmware up to date is essential for optimal performance. Trust Mark to handle firmware updates, ensuring your drone functions flawlessly with the latest software enhancements.

Crash Data Analysis

Accidents can happen, but we've got you covered. Mark will perform in-depth crash data analysis to pinpoint issues and get your drone back in the sky safely without a repeat of prior accidents.

Complex hardware Repairs

Drones are intricate devices, and internal problems can be challenging. Our team is equipped to handle complex repairs, addressing even hidden, internal issues to restore your drone's functionality.

Free Helpline for Quick Fixes

Our technical manager, Mark, is prepared to revitalize your drones. He specializes in the repair of damaged components, guaranteeing that your drone takes flight again with precision and reliability.

Diagnosing Unknown Issues

Sometimes, drone problems can be mysterious. Count on Mark to diagnose and resolve unknown issues, ensuring your drone performs at its best.

FAQ

• What types of drones do you repair? We repair a wide range of drones, including consumer drones, professional drones, FPV racing drones, and more. Whether it's a DJI Phantom or a custom-built racing drone, we've got you covered.
• What types of drones do you repair? We have the expertise to repair a wide range of drones, spanning from compact DJI Mini 3 models to larger agricultural drones like the Agras T40 and everything in-between.
• What kind of drone issues can you fix? We can address various drone issues, from minor cosmetic damage to complex electronic and mechanical problems. Whether it's a broken propeller, a malfunctioning flight control, or a controller issue, we can help.
• How long does a typical repair take? Repair times can vary depending on the complexity of the issue, but we aim for a quick turnaround. We will assess your drone and provide an estimated repair time during the evaluation.
• Do you offer a warranty on repairs? Yes, we provide a warranty on our repair services to ensure your satisfaction and peace of mind. The warranty duration may vary depending on the specific repair.
• What are the repair costs? Repair costs depend on the extent of the damage and the parts required. We offer transparent pricing and will provide you with a detailed quote before proceeding with the repair.
• Do I need to ship my drone for repairs, or can I drop it off locally? You have the option to drop off your drone at our workshop close to Chatswood NSW, and there won't be any shipping fees. Alternatively, if you prefer to send it to us, you'll be responsible for covering the shipping costs. We can also organise the pickup from you if you want it that way.
• Do you use genuine replacement parts? We use genuine and brand new replacement parts to ensure the highest quality repairs. If genuine parts are unavailable, we will inform you of the alternatives.
• How can I inquire about getting my drone repaired? You can easily inquire about our repair services by filling out our online form on the "Get a Quote" section of this page. We'll get back to you promptly with the necessary information.
• Don’t know what happened to your drone? We can extract and asses the flight data to determine what exactly happened right before the crash and explain any errors that showed.

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us on [email protected] or 1300 029 829 for more information. We're here to help you with all your drone repair needs.

Case Studies

Matrice 600 Pro

Incident: During a data collection mission, a Matrice 600 Pro drone experienced a crash while utilizing a ground-penetrating radar antenna. This incident occurred as the drone was operating near its maximum capacity, carrying nearly its full payload at a speed of 30 km/hr, with only 35% battery remaining. As the drone initiated its return journey, the propellers failed, leading to a rapid descent and causing the arms to snap upon impact with the ground.

Fix: After the unfortunate crash of the drone, it was handed over to our repair expert, Mark, for restoration. He promptly replaced the damaged propellers, arm and motor with brand new ones, ensured the firmware was intact, and conducted a comprehensive system diagnostics. Thanks to Mark's expertise and our thorough repair process, we successfully brought the Matrice 600 Pro back to its optimal condition, ensuring it is ready to soar through the skies once more.

Parrot Anafi

Incident: During flight, a Parrot Anafi drone collided with a tree, causing extensive damage to all of its propellers. Additionally, the impact also damaged a stabilizing antenna located on one of the drone's legs. Consequently, the drone experienced erratic behavior and lost stability due to these combined damages.

Fix: In our repair center, our technical manager, Mark, replaced the damaged propellers and repaired the compromised stabilizing antenna and ensured the firmware was intact. This led to a full restoration of the Parrot Anafi drone to peak condition, ensuring stable and smooth flights once again.

SwellPro Splash Drone 4

Incident: The SplashDrone 4 encountered connectivity issues, failing to pair with both the controller and the phone. Additionally, the firmware had not been upgraded as required.

Fix: Mark performed a firmware upgrade, ensuring that both the drone and the controller had the latest software. This resolved the connectivity problems, allowing seamless communication between the SplashDrone 4, controller, and phone, restoring the drone's functionality.

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.

Here are some useful materials to help using DJI SmartFarm Web. Please view this on a computer (not mobile)

Download Orchard Mission

Variable Rate Prescription

Using VRA

Using RGB Base Map

Orchard Mission Planning

Image Processing

Drones for Hire offers an exclusive subscription service tailored for regular dry-hire clients. Subscribers can enjoy substantial discounts of up to 25% off on selected drone rentals, coupled with complimentary shipping. To express your interest, kindly complete the enquiry form provided below.

Standard Package:

The Standard Package encompasses a wide range of compact drones from our dry hire fleet. These drones include the Mavic series (M3M, M3E, M3T), Parrot Anafi, Phantom 4 RTK, and the RTK + Tripod.

Pricing:

• Annual Subscription: $1,500 ($125 per month)
  • Benefits: 25% discount on selected drone rentals and free shipping
• 6-Month Subscription: $900 ($150 per month)
  • Benefits: 20% discount on rentals and free shipping
• 1-Month Subscription: $200
  • Benefits: 20% discount on rentals

Business Package:

The Business Package includes all drones featured in the dry hire fleet including drones from the standard Package, providing an extensive selection to meet your aerial needs.

Pricing:

• Annual Subscription: $6,000 ($500 per month)
  • Benefits: 25% discount on all drone rentals and free shipping
• 6-Month Subscription: $3,600 ($600 per month)
  • Benefits: 20% discount on rentals and free shipping
• 1-Month Subscription: $800
• Benefits: 20% discount on rentals

Enquiry Form

A remotely piloted aircraft operator’s certificate (ReOC) allows you or your business to use your drones commercially.

A ReOC permits your business to conduct a range of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) operations (subject to approval) that are not available to other operators.

You do not need a ReOC if you plan to operate your T40 spray drone on your own property.

Requirements

A remotely piloted aircraft operator’s certificate (ReOC) allows you or your business to operate as a drone service provider for hire or reward including:

• Employing remote pilots to operate a RPA that weigh:

• Less than 7 KG

• Less than 25 KG

• Less than 150 KG

• More than 150 KG - additional certification of the RPA required

• Applying for additional permissions and approvals to conduct more complex drone operations outside of the drone safety rules

Important note: A ReOC does not allow you to operate an RPA. To operate an RPA, you must hire a licensed remote pilot or have a Remote Pilot License yourself 

As a ReOC holder you must:

• Create operational procedures and manuals per Part 101 (Unmanned Aircraft and Rockets) Manual of Standards 2019

• Make sure you train all remote pilots in the business’ operations procedures

• Make sure you conduct all operations following the law and the conditions of your certificate

• Keep the required operational records

• Register your RPA before fly

Your initial ReOC is valid for 12 months and renewals are valid for up to 3 years.

• You can renew your certificate online within 3 months of its expiry date, providing your not making any changes

Drones For Hires can assist you in applying for you ReOC

For more information on applying for your ReOC, visit CASA or contact Drones For Hire ([email protected] , 1300 029 829)

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. 

From a distance it looks like almost any other drone

But a larger black panel on a prototype developed by an Auckland startup makes this one a little different, in a big way.

"We're one of the few companies in the world to deliver this technology for light-based energy transmission," said Aquila CEO and co-founder William Jeremijenko.

It's light that is invisible to the eye.

But they're using it to charge the drone while it flies, opening the doors for a raft of possibilities in the future.

"You can imagine having this on agricultural sites or mining sites where you got a love moving platforms."  Jeremijenko told 1News

"They need an energy source and you can have that energy supplied continuously by beams of light"

The ultimate goal. as he puts it, is to make an "internet of energy" - a network of satellites to send power from where it's generated to where it's needed.

Eventually they hope to send power to electric planes flying internationally.

"So with this directed energy capability you can all of a sudden create these networks that can serve any imaginable application." Jeremijenko said.

And the hope is it can be done within a decade, helping along by AUD $3 million recently secured in funding.

Making it large-scale and safe

"The reason why no-one has done this yet is because it is just that hard." fellow co-founder Nelson Smith told 1News

"There are dozens of really difficult technical problems that have only recently become fundamentally soveable."

A lot of people have tried, Smith said.

their solution involves a "lighthouse" module that can direct a beam of light to a receiver, in this case on the prototype drone.

The receiver is in effect a specialised solar panel that can work with the specialised light.

It can deliver more than what solar can.

The "Lighthouse" module on the drone

"So think of autonomous aerial vehicles, or boats, or submarines just staying forever, that's the goal" Smith said.

"The biggest reasons we can't transition to renewables is electrical propulsion just isn't good enough yet"

"However if we can charge things mid-flight suddenly all those barriers just evaporate"

The team is working to make safety a key part of the whole design.

"For me to put it in front of people , it has to be safe... we have to be so confident that it's not even going to hurt a bird, let alone a person." said Smith "And it's working beautifully so far"

Potential game changer

The drone in flight

Victoria University sustainable energy professor Alan Brent told 1News a number of companies are working on the technology.

"It's definitely a potential game changer in the power", he said.

He said serving communities in difficult terrain in difficult times could be key winners.

"Definitely for communities in topography that's very difficult to install and maintain lines if we have disasters, or earthquakes, or cyclone events - they won't disrupted using this kind of technology" he said.

Cushla McGoverin from the Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies calls it "solar power, amped up"

"If you don't have to bring your drone down to charge it every few hours? The potential advantage of that is massive." She said.

"In events like disaster events when you're trying to find things, agriculture is starting to use drones - it's just massivem the potential applications"

Hey guys, 

We had perfect weather for our Maryborough QLD demo in March 2023. And a fantastic site that has cotton, cane and pineapple plantations. We demonstrated the T40 over cane , showing that there is no yield loss when using it  – no compaction or damage to the tops of the cane that you get with boom sprayers. Guests could also see the strong penetration into the cane thanks to the T40’s large coaxial rotors pushing the droplets down and circulating them around inside the cane for creating exceptional efficiency.

We also demonstrated targeted spot spraying (for weeds such as Giant Rats Tail) and also manual and manual plus modes for spraying the edges of the nearby dam.

And we demonstrated the Mavic 3 Multispectral, Mavic 3 Thermal, and had the T10 there and discussed its suitability for spraying isolated gullies and small patches of weed.  

Guests were able to see a good run down of Terra too thanks to the large LED screen and an hdmi out from the RC and the laptop.

Thanks to all for a great day out.