The 6500 litre Rubicon was launched at the Hardi Showcase 2017 in Adelaide where the spraying manufacturer also revealed an 8500 litre Commander trailed sprayer with ActivAir reticulation, Mega linkage sprayer and Saritor Active 62 self-propelled sprayer (6200 litre).

There was also a new look Rubicon 9000 at the launch, which represents the finished, ready-for-retail model which is slightly different to the pre-production model launched last year.

The biggest difference on the 9000 is a re-design of the stainless steel tank which keeps the overall height to a minimum. There’s also now an option of a 330hp (246kW) or 370hp (276kW) Cummins engine and several tyre options.

Tyres fitted on the Rubicon 9000 at the launch were Goodyears, LSW 480/70R54 rated at 8250kg.

The Rubicon 6500 uses the same platform as the 9000 however it will be available standard with a poly tank and stainless steel will be optional.

Both the Rubicon 9000 and 6500 can be fitted with front-mount 36.5m or 48.5m Pommier aluminium booms while the Saritor Active 62 has a rear-mount, 36m wide Terraforce boom.

The ActivAir is a rapid nozzle on/off control system, which uses the Commander’s on-board air supply to instantaneously open and close non-drip nozzles during spraying. 

Air pressure is reticulated along the boom through 8mm tubing to electrically activate solenoid valves and then through 4mm tubing to each non-drip valve.

The spray lines are divided into 14 sections to ensure minimal overspray when AutoSection control is in operation.

More details will be available in the September edition of the Farming Ahead magazine.