Kondinin Group editor and engineer Ben White said Farming Ahead had previously tested a Patriot 4430 about five years ago.
“With significant changes to the 4430 in the past 5 years it was time to look at the Patriot sprayer again,” Ben said.
“The cab-forward, rear boom layout, with the engine mounted at the back in a pod is unique to the Patriot, and certainly aids forward vision,” he said.
The 4430 sprayer sports a 6000L tank, and was fitted with a 36m boom, which demonstrated improved stability to that tested in 2012.
“Any questions surrounding boom stability were quickly put to rest, with the Patriot acing the test track.”
In the new engine pod a powerful 8.7L diesel, six cylinder FPT engine pumps out 243kW, with a peak of 266kW at 2000rpm. Peak torque is 1412Nm. Patriots sold in Australia are still Tier 2 and thus Adblue is not required.
The Patriot’s new ingenious active suspension system also helps negotiate hills and improve off-the-mark starts.
“It senses a decrease in hydraulic pressure to a wheel, indicating slippage, and compensates by slightly raising the opposite wheel to improve traction, bringing grip back to the slipping wheel to maintain ride over rough terrain,” White said.
Our engineers tested this and four other models as part of the Research Report: SP Sprayer Update, this research report gives an in-depth look at each SP sprayer side-by-side with independent performance data on boom stability and specifications tables to help you choose the right self-propelled sprayer for your farming needs.
