AGCO Application Equipment has introduced three new RoGator high-clearance sprayers for 2012.

“Customers are going to experience higher engine horsepower, easier access to service points, more-efficient fuel consumption and reduced in-cab noise levels, among many other benefits," says says Mark Sharitz, AGCO Application Equipment director of marketing.

The RoGator RG900, RG1100 and RG1300 models have Tier 4 interim-compliant AGCO POWER 8.4-liter diesel engines with e3 selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. Placement of service access points means that most maintenance tasks can be accomplished at ground level.

Easier Maintenance

“Machine maintenance is critical to productivity, which is why a lot of time and attention was put into making service checks faster and easier to accomplish,” explains Paul Haefner, AGCO Application Equipment product marketing specialist.

He says nearly all service points can be accessed at ground level and are grouped in key locations, including fuel fill stations on either side of the machine. The redesigned hood easily lifts from the front for fast and quick cleanout of the cooling unit.

Express End Caps on the stainless-steel boom plumbing are strategically located to virtually eliminate the need to remove and clean end caps. Rather than climbing on top of the RoGator, the new grease banks located on the back of the machine keep the high grease points well-lubricated, so all other greasing can be done by the operator at ground level.

The undercarriage and hydraulic hose covers also reduce downtime caused by wear and tear on wires and hoses in contact with crops.

The step from the chassis to the system is eliminated, creating an even front-to-back level for easy and safe footing. High posts on the boom rests are removed to improve the look and in-cab visibility of the machine.

The 36-gallon fresh water tank previously used for foam markers is removed. Instead, an injection-style foam marker pulls water from the rinse tank, making filling of the foam markers easier.

Other improvements include an increase in fuel tank capacity to 150 gallons. A new, longitudinal 'A' suspension creates sharper turns, minimizes soil disruption and reduces the amount of motion that is transmitted to the cab.

The front axle is repositioned to improve weight distribution and provide better visibility of the front tire from the operator station. Modifications to the boom plumbing and air aspirators provide faster on and off times, while also improving upon an already-impressive, industry-leading +/- one psi tip-to-tip accuracy.

Improved Cab Comfort, Safety     

The sloped hood, redesigned cab, removal of high-post boom rests and relocation of mirrors all contribute to improved all-around visibility. Ten auxiliary lights are located around and under the RoGator, and 10 more lighting locations are available for even more visibility.

As an additional safety precaution, a back-up alarm is triggered when the machine runs in reverse. Inside the cab, noise levels are quieter than ever, and controls have been reconfigured so that boom, pump and sparger switches are conveniently located on the armrest for easy access.

Improvements to the AGCO RoGator Management Center (RMC) include a larger display screen and more intelligent reporting on critical operating features like the engine, transmission and fuel performance. RMC also is capable of controlling track adjustments automatically or manually.

“When making the move to achieve Tier 4 interim compliance, we opted for an SCR engine because of its track record in other off-road machines to generate lower fuel consumption and noise levels compared with an EGR engine,” says Haefner.

For more information on the new RoGator lineup for 2012, go to www.applylikeapro.com