Pantera walks tall and wide

WITH three models delivering a maximum ground clearance of up to 1.7 metres and a choice of three infinitely adjustable track width systems spanning 1.8 to 3 m, the AMAZONE Pantera 4502 self-propelled sprayer is a highly versatile spraying unit.

The sprayer is ideal for large operations or spraying contractors. “The standard 4502 model has an infinitely adjustable track width of 1.8 to 2.4 m, enabling operators to quickly adjust the machine for different row crops,” the AMAZONE Product Manager says. “Fitted with 1.95 m diameter tyres, its 1.2 m ground clearance is ample for most spraying operations. The 4502-W wide configuration has an adjustable track width from 2.25 to 3 m, making it ideal for controlled traffic farming systems. The 4502-H high configuration includes a hydraulic height adjustment that lifts the entire machine to achieve a ground clearance of 1.7 m, which makes it suitable for spraying flowering canola, maize, sunflowers or certain vegetable crops.”

The Pantera 4502 features a 218 hp Tier 3 engine, 4500 litre spray tank, Super-L2 booms from 24 to 40 m, automatic hydro-pneumatic suspension, speed-regulated all-wheel steering system and electronic traction control. All key driving operations, including speed, braking and steering mode, are controlled using a multi-function joystick. “With the joystick pushed forward, the machine operates to the desired field or road speed up to 50 km/h, the driver simply pulls the joystick back to engage the dual circuit hydraulic auxiliary braking system. In most cases, the foot brake is not required to reduce speed.”

The joystick also controls the key spraying functions, including boom folding, tile and height; application rate, boundary nozzles, section and headland control. The easy to use ISOBUS-compatible AMATRON 3 terminal automatically regulates the pre-set application rate.

At headlands, AMATRON 3 automatically switches the sprayer off, raises the boom and engages all-wheel steering. Back in the crop, the steering reverts to two-wheel mode.

GPS Switch section control and GSP Maps guidance systems are also available. 

Pantera 4502-H can also be fitted with row sensing technology. Sensor ‘fingers’ located under the machine scan along the crop rows and control the automatic steering system to ensure the wheels stay within the crop rows.

It takes a fairly high level of concentration to steer the lifted machine through crop rows, especially on long working days or when spraying on hilly terrain, the system prevents any damage to the crop and enables the driver to concentrate on the spraying operation.