After four years of development, Kuhn introduced its latest trailed sprayer. The Karan will be available in four capacities from 4,500 litres up to 8,000 litres, with three specification levels and steel or aluminium booms up to 45m.
Initial models will be available in the Power specification, with a 6,000-litre capacity and booms up to 39m. This will include the Diluset solution system, with a 220-litre induction hopper and the option of a closed transfer system to minimise operator exposure.
Later models will expand the Autoset system, which adds a 900-litre/min filling system and the ability to spray at up to 500 litres/min, with additional rotating nozzles in the tank to handle cleaning of the main tank.
At the boom, there is the option of the new Eagle contour control system, which automatically adjusts the boom at heights as low as 30cm to ensure the best coverage of the crop, even in difficult conditions or variable crop heights. Standard nozzle spacing is set at 50cm – although later models will have the option of 25cm spacings on the new XEA3 aluminium booms – and this can be bolstered with the Autospray pulse width modulation system.
Throughout the development, efforts have been made to keep the machine compact and lightweight. The Karan only extends to 5m in length in the 5200 and 6000 specifications, and the overall weight has been dropped to 5,690kg for a 6,000-litre model with a 36m boom.
To further reduce soil and crop damage, it features the Track-Matic steering axle, which has a steering angle of 28deg to follow the tractor on headlands and when turning onto tramlines.
Maintenance of the pump has also been improved, with an integrated winch that allows it to be removed in just 15min. The tank has a removable sump and tank roof, allowing access to components without having to enter the machine.
Later additions to the machine are expected to boost the technologies available, with the aluminium booms with 25cm spacings and the I-Spray spot spraying and camera systems.
