In this video, we’ll be working with two of the five Frontier LS11 Mounted Sprayers (US CA). All five models, which have maximum spraying widths from 25 – 45 feet (7.6 – 13.7 m), are essentially adjusted and operated the same way.
First, we’ll use the LS1130 Mounted Sprayer, which has a 30-foot (9.1 m) boom that includes two bi-fold wing sections. Each main wing swings out from back to front and has a flip wing on the end that folds out 180-degrees to complete the section. The flip wings and main wings then swing back in the opposite fashion for transport, and are secured by a keyed pin.
With this sprayer, we’ll be using a John Deere 5075E Utility Tractor (US CA). It delivers 75 horsepower (55.9 kW) and has a 12F/12R PowrReverser transmission. We’ve added an H240 loader (US CA) and 190 lbs. (86.2 kg) of wheel weights on each rear wheel to make sure our tractor and sprayer are properly balanced.
These mounted sprayers attach to your utility tractor just like any other 3-point implement. We’ve added a John Deere Quick Coupler (US CA) that will make hooking up this sprayer as easy as it can be. Caitlin will just focus on the top hook and everything else falls into place. Then she’ll lock down the locking levers, connect the section valve controller harness, the foam marker pump harness, and the transport lights.
Finally, she’ll hook up the PTO that will power the sprayer pump, and attach the safety chain. The series also offers a hydraulic pump option.
for all LS11 Series Mounted Sprayers, both a tear-drop shaped 250-gallon (1,101.22 L) tank, and a 300-gallon (1,321.47 L) tank are available. The tear-drop shape allows the tank to drain completely for faster switching between chemicals and preparing the sprayer for storage.
After adding the chemical, Caitlin will use a common water hose to fill the tank with water. A handy hose-holding bracket is available that easily attaches to the tank fill opening. It should take about 30 minutes or so to fill the 250-gallon tank.
Once in the field, she’ll unfold the boom wings.
First, she’ll remove the hair pin and locking pin, then unfold the gas-shock assisted main wing. Then she’ll replace the locking pin and hair pin, and then rotate the shock assisted flip wing into position. She’ll unfold the left side first, then the right side the same way.
The LS1130 has 18 single body nozzles across it’s 30-foot working width. An optional foam marker nozzle at the end of each boom arm is available. Using a liquid foam from the attached foam tank, it marks the path where chemical has been applied to help prevent skip and overlap while achieving complete coverage.
For hand spraying along fences or spot spraying weeds or other vegetation, each model in the series includes a hand-held spray wand with a coiled 30-foot (9.1 m) hose.
If you’re in a situation where you need one-sided spraying, a manual boom section controller that’s operated from inside the cab is available on all LS11 series models. An automatic spray rate controller, is available on the LS1140 and LS1145 models. Also operated from inside the cab, the auto controller controls up to five sections, including two fenceline nozzles, on the boom depending on the speed of the tractor.
Each boom is designed with a breakaway clutch located between the center wing and the end of the main wing sections. The breakaway clutch protects the boom from mechanical damage if it encounters an obstacle.
Now, if you have pasture or other property that has a lot of obstacles like trees to work around, the LS1130BL boomless mounted sprayer could come in mighty handy.
Two spray nozzles located at the rear of the tank deliver a maximum spray width of 30 feet (9.1 m). Without the extended booms, however, you can get in and around some pretty tight places. Each nozzle can be controlled with a simple on-off switch from inside the tractor cab if you want to spray in one direction only.
And like all the other models, this boomless model offers the same hand-held spray wand with 30-foot hose for spot spraying or maybe getting in under low-hanging branches along a tree line.
These Frontier Mounted Sprayers, along with nearly 600 other implements, are available only from your John Deere dealer, the place to go for advice and equipment.
So remember, for implements that help turn your tractor into the workhorse it was built to be, think Frontier and your John Deere dealer.
And remember, always read the Operator’s Manual before operating any piece of equipment and follow all operating and safety instructions.