Smithco Spray Star Cancel The title field is required!

1. Justin VanLanduit

   

   0 posts
   
   10/25/2012 9:10 AM

   Posted this in shop talk but figured I'd post here as well as this forum probably gets more traffic.
   Looking into replacing my greens sprayer and this is a machine I've demo'd. Don't know of anyone in my area with this machine so reaching out here to see who has one and how it has performed for them. Will be doing the GPS technology with all bells and whistles. Info and thoughts are greatly appreciated.
   
   Thanks,
   Justin

   
   
   
   
2. David Callanan

   

   0 posts
   
   10/25/2012 9:10 AM

   I purchased the Smithco Super Star 1000 18 months ago and I'm very happy with it. I got the GPS and other extras. When it came down to it the Toro was slightly more expensive but the weight of the machine -v- the Smithco was the deciding factor in not going red. The manoeuvrability and climbing ability of the Smithco is second to none (I have used both Toro and John Deere in the past).
   I have clocked 500 hours on the machine and no problem so far with the exception of a faulty GPS sensor that was replaced under warranty.

   
   
   
   
3. Jeffrey Scott

   

   8 posts
   
   10/26/2012 12:10 PM

   David,
   Just curious - Was the "GPS and other extras" the upgrade from Capstan Ag or some other brand of GPS system that Smithco was installing 18 months ago? MTS has been installing aftermarket upgrades of the Capstan Sharpshooter system on any brand of turf sprayer for 3 years now - 8 sprayers so far, mostly Toro, but scheduled to do our first JD next week. There is huge interest in the technology all over the country and the supts that are using it will never be without it on future sprayer purchases! The ROI comes back to you very quickly in time and product savings.
   
   Jeff Scott
   Midwest Turf Specialties,LLC

   
   
   
   
4. David Callanan

   

   0 posts
   
   10/27/2012 1:10 AM

   Hi Jeff,
   I'm in Ireland so my options are limited as to what GPS systems are available. Its a Raven Spray Control SCS 440, the other extras are the chemical mixer and electric booms. I almost went without the Raven but in the end I struck a good deal with the supplier and have never looked back.

   
   
   
   
5. Jeffrey Scott

   

   8 posts
   
   10/27/2012 7:10 AM

   David,
   Thanks for the reply. The Capstan Sharpshooter system is only now gaining exposure in the US turf market. Capstan is based in Topeka, Kansas and has been marketing the technology in the ag industry as AimCommand on Case IH ag sprayers for the past 15 years. It took a good 5 years for the technology to be fully accepted in the ag market, but today there are few ag sprayers that are purchased without some form of GPS control.
   The Sharpshooter for Turf system is a downsized version of that ag technology. There are videos to see at www.capstanag.com click on the Sharpshooter for Turf tab, scroll down and click the Turf Videos tab. Module 1 is the Sharpshooter pulse generator and all new Wilger nozzles that will work with your Raven 440 rate controller. Module 2 is a Raven EnvisioPro mapping rate controller to replace your Raven 440. Module 3 would be the SmartSteer component.
   Smithco signed a 3 year contract to factory install the system on new Smithco sprayers. They were a big hit at the GIS in Las Vegas and I have heard that they sold about 25 of the systems since then. Smithco is not able to install the Smart Steer as yet because of the tilt steering column that is standard on their machine.
   
   I'm not sure about the international interest in the technology right now, but this would be a good question for your Smithco dealer. I firmly believe that the turf market in the US is following the same lines as the ag market did many years ago. One day, this will be the way that most turf applications are made - there is really no downside to the technology at all.