Self-propelled sprayer manufacturer Househam has overcome the challenges of Covid-19 to build and deliver five bespoke machines simultaneously to farms throughout the UK.
All of the sprayers were made at the firm’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire and each has a custom specification to suit the farms’ specific requirements.
To make sure the sprayers were delivered in time for key autumn applications, the design and engineering teams carefully restructured their build programmes. This ensured production could continue even when supplies of some key parts were delayed by the pandemic.
“We’re lucky to work with some great local suppliers and together we were able to plan ahead and make sure there were no breaks in manufacturing,” says engineering manager Andrew Tingey.
“Given the current climate, it’s really impressive that the team has been able to deliver these machines in the timeframe that we had.”
Unique sprayers
Two of the machines are the latest-generation, high-spec Harrier models, featuring a lightweight single-piece chassis, load-sensing air suspension and a plush Excalibur cabin, complete with Househam’s TMC (Total Machine Control) system.
The first has been built with the most popular 4,000-litre GRP tank option and features a powerful 240hp six-cylinder MTU engine as standard.
The second Harrier is the first 5,000-litre model to be produced by Househam and has been custom-built for a customer in Cambridgeshire. This unique crop sprayer has a brand-new stainless-steel tank, 36m tri-fold boom and custom Airtec spray system that uses air to adjust droplet size.
Another of the five sprayers is one of the firm’s recently introduced Air-Ride XTRA models, which come with a host of factory fitted extras, including an upgraded spray pack, enhanced lighting package, boom protection and higher-spec control screen. This machine has been fitted with a 3,500-litre tank, 24m double-fold boom and an additional Pacer fast-fill pump.
The fourth model in the production run is the first entry-level Spirit featuring the latest four-cylinder Stage 5 MTU engine which develops 170hp. This nimble, lightweight machine has a 3,000-litre tank, 24m double-fold boom and Arag Delta 80 controller.
The final machine shown is a second-hand Harrier, featuring a Stage 4 MTU Engine and a 4000-litre GRP Tank. This machine was put through a complete, ground-up refurbishment within the Househam production team before being completed to a customer’s specification.
Househam’s UK-based manufacturing, extensive in-house parts stock and relationship with domestic component suppliers means it can fully support UK farmers throughout the pandemic and beyond.
