GPS Sprayer technology Cancel The title field is required!

1. Eric Smith

   

   1 posts
   
   2/5/2021 1:02 PM

   I am looking at upgrading our Toro sprayer to a gps control system.  If anyone has upgraded an existing sprayer, wondering how much savings in chemicals you had.  I’m sure there are positives and negatives with all the systems that are out there, but what is the brand you are using.
   
   Thanks

   
   
   
   
2. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   2/9/2021 9:02 AM

   Following.

   
   
   
   
3. William Murphy

   

   8 posts
   
   2/10/2021 5:02 AM in reply to Eric Smith

   I am not able to give you any current figures, but some of our Tennnessee Golf Trail courses have installed systems to thier sprayers.  Here is a blog from Paul Carter (also a GCSAA Board Member), and I am sure if you reached out to him he could give you some great info and savings estimates.  
   
   http://bthbgcm.blogspot.com/2018/07/using-smart-guided-sprayer-gps-system.html

   
   
   
   
4. Christopher Thuer

   

   101 posts
   
   2/10/2021 8:02 PM in reply to William Murphy

   A course nearby went to GPS a few years ago.  Saved enough on fairways that they are now able to spray a lap or 2 around the fairways in the rough.  Dollar spot hits rough around here pretty hard at times.
   

   
   Chris Thuer, CGCS, Bear Slide Golf Club, Cicero, IN
   
   
5. Jeffrey Scott

   

   8 posts
   
   7/3/2021 8:07 AM

   GPS Sprayer Upgrades are a great investment, but don't overlook a far more important - and much less costly - technology on your way to making your turf sprayer more productive.  Steve Willey and I have been upgrading turf sprayers in the Chicago area with Capstan's SharpShooter Tip Management System since 2010.  Steve was a Capstan Ag Field Representative at the time and was the first to install a downsized version of Capstan's Aim Command System used on the big ag sprayers on a Toro 5500 turf sprayer.  He also installed a Raven EnvisioPro/SwitchPro controller to replace the Toro ProControl rate controller to be able to have 10 sections across the boom width, individual nozzle control, and the ability to create spray maps using WAAS gps that was free to use.
     The SharpShooter upgrade was less than half of the cost of the upgrade.  It would work with ANY rate controller (Toro ProControl included), but the majority of the clients we upgraded wanted the ability to create maps and have individual nozzle control.  SharpShooter provides on-the-go drift contol; instant on/off flow, pattern, and pressure control at the nozzle; and the ability to spray at any speed from 2 to 10 mph without changing tips!!
   
     BE SURE to include the Capstan Tip Management System in your upgrade!!!  At the GIS in Orlando, the updated version of SharpShooter was introduced in our booth.  It's known as EVO and one of the new features is Turn Compensation so the flow is adjusted across the boom when turning the sprayer - no more over application on the inside of the turn or under application on the outside of the turn.  (The sprayer must be equipped with GPS at present)
   
     Even the experts at the GPS technology - Turflux, based in the Pittsburgh area, and Above Par Tech that's based in Iowa, know the value of the Capstan Tip Management System.  Both of them install the EVO as part of their upgrade.
   
     And when considering upgrading your sprayer, be sure to check out the Featherweight Combo Turf Boom that is currently retrofitting Toro and John Deere turf sprayers.  Imagine over a 60% reduction in fairway spraying time by installing the electronic technology on a 28 or 30 foot wide boom...
   
   Have a great 4th of July holiday,
   Jeff

   
   
   
   
6. Eric Strzepek

   

   3 posts
   
   7/13/2021 10:07 AM in reply to Eric Smith

   Just purchased a 300 gallon Toro sprayer w?gps.  Went from from 5.75 tanks to down to 4.  I could not be more happy with the product

   
   
   
   
7. Jeffrey Scott

   

   8 posts
   
   7/14/2021 4:07 PM

   So, the the GPS has rewarded you with a remarkable improvement in the accuracy of your applications.   Did you ever see turf damage resulting from sprayer overlap?  That was always the determining factor when a client was deciding to invest in the upgrade.
     I dare to say though...you COULD be more happy with your product if you had upgraded with the EVO tip management system.  Perhaps you, like many other supts over the past several years, have been told that SharpShooter won't work with the Topcon rate controller.  We have proven that to be nonfactual on more than one occasion.  Supts who have invested in it say they'll never buy another sprayer without it.  
   
   Best regards,
   Jeff

   
   
   
   
8. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   7/21/2021 6:07 AM in reply to Jeffrey Scott

   Jeffrey, I would rethink the way I reply to Superintendents post on here. I find it insulting the way you basically tell the guy he is wrong for being really satisfied with the product he used but that yours is better so he's wrong in his assessment. I simple tactic of I would really love to give you the opportunity to demo our unit side by side with the next would of went way further in my book. prove to me your unit is better don't just tell me I am wrong in what I decided to go with. 
   
   Your post basically blocked me out of even wanting to do business with your product. Maybe you should read your post before posting in the future so you don't insult professionals who spend their lives using these products.

   
   
   
   
9. Eric Strzepek

   

   3 posts
   
   7/21/2021 11:07 AM in reply to James Smith

   What he said!!!

   
   
   
   
10. Jeffrey Scott

    

    8 posts
    
    7/22/2021 11:07 AM

    James. when I saw your name as the author of the post, I didn't have to read the message to know that I would be reprimanded for my reply to Eric.  I never once insinuated that he was wrong. or that mine is better.   Did you read the previous post or any of the seven posts I've contributed to threads discussing sprayer upgrades or grooming brush use over the years?  My message has always been aimed at the betterment of the superintendent's profession.  
     You visited our booth at a GIS a couple years ago and got the six minute introduction to the technology.  When you left, my business partner, Steve said "Wow - what do you think the chances are that he'll ever upgrade a sprayer?"  My reply was that my guess would be less than five percent.
    
    There will always be a percentage of supts that won't buy the technology upgrade no matter what the return on investment or performance enhancement.  Thankfully, our past attendance at the two day GIS trade shows has been rewarding enough for us to continue in business.  Steve has told me that the acceptance of the technology in the turf industry has been very quick compared to his experience in the ag industry.  After being involved in this for over ten years, I expected a higher percentage of sprayers would be so equipped.
    
      Eric, at some point in the future, you might want to add the tip management upgrade.  Above Par Tech has installed the AgLeader GPS and the Capstan EVO on several new Toro sprayers in the Midwest this year. The enhanced performance capability of the sprayer is remarkable. 
    
      James, I'm happy to give you the opportunity to vent.  I have read my message over several times,  and don't believe I've offended any of my fellow professionals.
    
     All the best,
    Jeff

    
    
    
    
11. James Smith

    

    112 posts
    
    7/25/2021 4:07 AM in reply to Jeffrey Scott

    Well Jeffery, again you take strides in running away potential customers.
    
     "You visited our booth at a GIS a couple years ago and got the six minute introduction to the technology.  When you left, my business partner, Steve said "Wow - what do you think the chances are that he'll ever upgrade a sprayer?"  My reply was that my guess would be less than five percent."
    
    What do you think the percentage is now that I would buy from you? Really instead of simply making a reply back that promotes your product you take the opportunity to again insult a potential customer! 
    
    I will have you know me and my General manager have both been in deep discussions about my desire to upgrade my sprayer to GPS technology for the savings and benefit to our Environment. Seriously! Just because you were not impressed with me during our very short visit does not mean you know me. did you know that I had just took over at my club? did you understand that I had not yet had a chance to grasp the total concept of GPS and the money savings it could present? did you not consider that maybe, just maybe I am one of those people that first look at an idea and then go and do research on it before diving into it. God, a lot of people call me research Randy because of all I do before making commitments. 
    But I guess from a business sense, why waste time on someone that's not pulling out their checkbook during the tradeshow, after all they get a discount there right?
    I noticed you did not try to follow up with me to get me more information and try to convince me on how great your product and company is!
    
    Maybe going forwards you should try to be a little more open minded towards potential customers, even ones who may of decided to purchase competitors products. but wait maybe the reason customers are purchasing competitors products is because of the sales team at your company. Maybe something just did not set right with them. I really wish I could remember visiting you at the tradeshow. I remember a few vendors I had met and their products. I am guessing you did not knock my socks off with your product. 
    
    I will end this conversation here by saying I intend to look at GPS at this next years tradeshow because I now have my General Manager thinking it is something we should be using. I will visit every vendor that is selling it (including your own) to determine which unit is the best fit for my club. I do not hold grudges when it comes to what is the best product and actually find our conversation stimulating so please do not feel like you would be wasting my time by showing me what makes your product better.
    
    Until then, stay safe with Covid out there and have a good rest of the year.

    
    
    
    
12. Christopher Thuer

    

    101 posts
    
    7/25/2021 5:07 PM

    Having been at this as a Superintendent since July 1991, and working on golf courses since 1981, I have seen a lot of changes, a lot for the better, and some not so much.
    
    My hesitancy with GPS sprayers has more to do with remembering the nightmare stories of others from years back when electric boom control began to take off.  I remember the few that were trying them and all the problems with solenoids, etc.  In the last couple months I replaced a 30 year old 100gal SDI that is on a 3 wheel Cushman Truckster.  Still love the simplicity and nearly foolproof operation of 1 inch brass ball valves for the master boom control and individual boom section control.  If not for the reliability issues of the 7k hour Truckster I wouldn't have replaced it.
    
    The new sprayer is a 175gal with electric boom control.  Did not get the GPS due to cost.  The good, I can spray all 21 greens with 1 tank instead of 2.  However, It will be interesting to see if the unit lasts 30 years.  I bet the under of 15.  I do know that when a valve or something else related goes bad I can't make a 5 minute round trip to the the town hardware store and pick up a new valve for about $10 and be back up and spraying.

    
    Chris Thuer, CGCS, Bear Slide Golf Club, Cicero, IN
    
    
13. Philip Cook

    

    2 posts
    
    2/15/2023 7:02 AM

    Good morning.  If you are interested in GPS sprayers I had a great experience with Sam Schmidt at Above Par Tech.  Sam is a very nice person and he did a great job of helping me navigate my concerns about making the transition to GPS spray systems.  
    
    We ended up converting 2 Toro 5800's and having him build a 200 gallons sprayer on a workman for our greens.  I really love the sprayer he built from scratch for us, and the updated Toro's work so much better.
    
    As for your question on cost, I'm sure it's there, particularly on greens and tees.  However, we chose not to use cost savings as a selling point, and instead focused on the quality of the applications and the benefits to us of not applying PGR's in the collars on greens sprays.  
    
    Having been very hesitate to make the transition, I would do it a 100 times out of a 100.  I have now taken a job at a different property and I am back to GPS-less sprayers and I really miss them.  Anyway, I'd reach out to Sam and he could get you some really good information.  I hope that this helps
    
    Joshua Cook

    
    
    
    
14. James Smith

    

    112 posts
    
    2/15/2023 8:02 AM in reply to Philip Cook

    Thanks for the info.
    
    We are on our third day of installation of the Par tech system right now. he is out mapping our course. I am looking forward to being able to use the system.