Kim McNee’s cropping program needed a boost this season, so he purchased a Hardi Commander 8500 boom sprayer from Boekeman Machinery.
A Wyalkatchem graingrower, Mr McNee said in previous years they could cover their 6700 hectares just fine with their Case IH Patriot Self Propelled Sprayer, but with the extra hectares they would need to be able to cover more ground in the same time frame. It’s equipped with a 36-metre boom and 8500 litre capacity.
Mr McNee’s cropping program involves sowing canola, wheat (Calibre and Vixen varieties), barley, and lupins. Last year’s harvest netted a good result for Mr McNee at two tonnes per hectare. Mr McNee began his seeding program on April 3.
“It’s been a bit stop and start, we haven’t been going flat out the whole time,” he said.
“It’s pretty good so far, I can’t complain about it; we’re just on the home stetch now.”
Mr McNee pointed to his 30 Series Simplicity bin, which he also bought from Boekeman Machinery, and has been using for four seeding seasons.
“It’s liquid on the back, and it’s a 28,500 litre capacity,” he said.
“21,500 of granular and 7,000 liquid on the back,” he said.
It’s Simplicity’s biggest bin but Mr McNee said he wished there was an even bigger one available.
“We just don’t like stopping,” he said.
Mr McNee said if they don’t have a high fertiliser rate, they’ll get a good 12 hour shift out of it.
“It can cover up to about 140 hectares but with fertiliser now it’ll just go down to about 100,” he said.
The 30 series comes standard with Linear Actuator variable rate control system, which also has the option of Automatic Section Control to minimise overlap. A few other features include a gas strut assisted fold up ladder mechanism, a single sided top platform, and fold out access rails – which provide access to the bin lid zone with integrated kick boards.
His son, Ben helps out on the farm, and share a living unit on Mr McNee’s property with worker Harry, separate from the main house. After graduating high school, Ben finished up a heavy diesel mechanic apprenticeship with Penske. He worked on all kinds of vehicles, including trucks, boats, yachts, and trains. During that period Ben would help out on his dad’s farm whenever he had the chance.
“Harvesting canola I wouldn’t come home because it was too slow,” he said.
Harry, who graduated high school last year, said he’s still fairly new to farm work but so far he’s finding it to be a good experience.
