en.Wedoany.com Reported - Portuguese agricultural machinery manufacturer Pulverizadores Rocha has launched the Cronos LG NVS series orchard sprayers, targeting the crop protection application needs of citrus cultivation in the Algarve region. Algarve is Portugal's main citrus-producing area, accounting for approximately 85% of the country's total output, with annual production exceeding 335,000 tonnes in the best seasons; local growers simultaneously face challenges such as water scarcity, climate change, Mediterranean fruit fly infestation, and monitoring of the African citrus psyllid, a vector of Huanglongbing (citrus greening disease).
Citrus trees have dense leaf canopies, making it difficult for conventional spray droplets to penetrate into the inner canopy. The liquid tends to remain on the outer layer and may drift or drip, compromising treatment effectiveness. Pulverizadores Rocha's R&D team collaborated with local growers, technicians, and dealers in Algarve to develop this series of products to address these issues.
The most distinctive feature of the Cronos LG NVS series is the teardrop-shaped air column, whose geometry conforms to the natural contour of citrus canopies, allowing airflow to be distributed more evenly along the vegetation, improving penetration of the spray liquid into the inner canopy areas and enhancing foliar coverage. The air column structure also reduces mechanical contact with branches, flowers, and fruit, thereby minimizing physical damage during operation.
The series is equipped with two turbine options: the 820mm turbine generates an airflow of approximately 61,900 m³/h, while the 920mm turbine reaches 83,800 m³/h, requiring tractor power of 50cv and 65cv or above, respectively, with operating noise below 95dB. The mounted models can be fitted with either turbine, while the trailed model is available only with the 920mm turbine; all models offer two speed gears plus neutral, allowing airflow adjustment according to orchard conditions. The nine-blade propeller, combined with a centrifugal clutch and pre-distributor, ensures uniform airflow distribution to each spray column, and the 18 M62 twin-nozzle bodies with anti-drip system provide configuration flexibility for different application scenarios.
The sprayer can also integrate the Bravo 180S or Bravo 350S electronic control systems, which automatically adjust pressure based on travel speed to maintain a constant per-hectare dosage. Ultrasonic sensors can detect missing vegetation, missing trees, or headland positions in young orchards, automatically shutting off the corresponding spray sections to reduce liquid waste. For operations requiring higher precision, the series supports variable rate application technology and is compatible with ISOBUS and WAATIC platforms, allowing the dosage to be adjusted according to the actual needs of different areas within a field.
The product is available in two versions: mounted models with tank capacities ranging from 600 to 1,200 litres, and trailed models from 1,000 to 4,000 litres, covering orchards of different scales. Optional configurations include a pivoting steering axle for improved headland manoeuvrability, 400/60 R15.3 traction tyres to reduce soil compaction, and a hydraulic braking system for operation on steep slopes.
