The Innovators: Finding a better way to spray

John Bailey saved money by building his own boom spray unit using compressed air instead of hydraulics.

Dean Taylor looks at Kiwis’ latest inventions, among them a 4WD-attachable boom spray unit using compressed air

John Bailey is the type of guy who likes to make something, rather than buy it, especially if it saves money.

So when the Hamilton-based agricultural sprayer figured he could save more than $10,000 setting up his boom spray unit on his 4WD using a compressed air system it seemed a no-brainer.

Bailey took the resulting invention to the National Fieldays and says it attracted a fair bit of interest.

But for him it is a piece of equipment for his own business - taking the next step to patent, develop and market the invention is a whole other ball game he isn't ready for just yet.

He uses a petrol-powered air compressor, fitted to the truck, to run the booms.

He has other air tools for work and home and can use the compressor for the lot.

Bailey says other options that would work include a 12V or belt-driven compressor.

Bailey has a wealth of agricultural and horticultural experience and says his unit doesn't just save him money - it works better than using hydraulics.

He says the booms can be moved more quickly and the compressed air rams provide a shock absorber effect, both up and down, so they travel nicely over rough terrain and don't give the "whipping" effect of hydraulics.

Bailey also likes the fact air is clean if something goes wrong.

The man who built the system has high praise for Bailey.

Dave Epplett, formerly of Pirongia and now based in Hamilton, owns and operates Wholesale Pneumatics.

He says when he was approached and asked if the idea would work he said yes -- then worked out the how.

But he says the idea is unique and ingenious.

"No-one else has done it, but it works fantastically well," he says.

Epplett believes there is the opportunity to franchise the business using compressed air and it would revolutionise spraying.

And he says Bailey's brilliance with air hasn't stopped at the boom sprayer.

"He saw an air cannon I was working on and has come up with an inexpensive idea to spray steep hillsides."

Bailey operates a full spray service as Bailey's Hotspot.