Sprayer upgrade provides benefits for Suffolk estate
28th January 2026
For a large Suffolk estate to move away from a long-trusted sprayer brand, it required confidence in both the new manufacturer and the dealer. Almost five months on, and with 1,820ha of spraying carried out so far, the farm’s management and user teams remain extremely pleased with their decision. David Williams reports.
Rougham Estate Farms, near Bury St Edmunds relied on trailed sprayers before moving to its first self-propelled machine during the 1990s. The self-propelled format proved successful, and a succession of sprayers from the same manufacturer carried out fertiliser and crop treatment applications until the change to a new brand last autumn.
Farming sustainably has been a long-standing priority at Rougham. Approximately 1,100ha is farmed in-hand or under contract farming agreements while there are also 400ha of woodland and large areas of land within environmental stewardship schemes. The diverse rotation includes wheat, oilseed rape, winter and spring barley, rye, cover crops and sugar beet, as well as seed potatoes grown on land rented by a local producer.
Challenging spraying regime
“Although our total sprayed area isn’t huge, the range of crops and small, 7.5ha average field size with obstructions such as trees, pylons and poles, create challenges,” explained farm manager, Matthew Carter.
“As well as weed control and crop protection products, the sprayer applies fertiliser too. We use a 50/50 split between Omex N22 + S liquid, and solid fertilisers, so during the peak spraying period from April to June, we rely on high work rates to maintain timely applications.”
The farm’s previous 4,000-litre, 30m sprayer was bought new in 2016, and had become outdated. While past replacements were like-for-like, this time the farm team sought improved design and technology. Key priorities included boom stability, efficient cleaning systems, remote nozzle selection, cab comfort, ease of use, even weight distribution, a large tyre footprint, and dependable dealer support.
After evaluating options, the Horsch Leeb 5.230VT with a 5,000-litre tank, a 30m boom and a 230hp engine was selected. Despite a higher purchase price, its advanced features, performance, and higher work rate made it better value than comparable competitor machines.
Support and confidence
Reliable backup was critical. Local Claas dealer Manns, located just 15 minutes away, represents Horsch and already supplied and looks after Rougham’s Claas Lexion 7700TT combine.
Matthew praised Manns’ “superb” support and highlighted the expertise of Manns sales manager, James Bowers. A demonstration confirmed the Horsch Leeb’s exceptional boom levelling and height control, while the Claas X11 cab, similar to the combine, provides outstanding operator comfort.
Precision and control
The sprayer has a 30m, three-section boom with Boom Control Pro for automatic height control and levelling. The three-section configuration folds neatly behind the cab, reducing risks of damage from overhanging branches during transport. Standard suspension was chosen rather than optional Pro Plus, due to Rougham’s flat terrain.
“It took a while to make the most of the excellent boom control and to trust it at higher speeds during turns, after our previous sprayer,” explained main operator, Michael Lord.
“With the height pre-set to 80cm for turns, the tips never come close to touching crops or the ground while maintaining speeds of 8–10kph, even on uneven terrain. With so many small fields requiring frequent headland turns, it makes a big difference to the daily output. The boom folding speed is impressive too, which adds up to a lot of saved time with frequent moves between fields.”
The sprayer is equipped with Autoselect Pro automatic nozzle selection. Spray heads are at 50cm spacing, with four nozzles, all of which constantly point down. Automatic selection of single or multiple nozzles is achieved in line with pre-programmed rate and pressure criteria.
Matthew pointed out that being able to use two blue 06 nozzles simultaneously to achieve 200 litres/ha is an advantage, allowing one nozzle to be angled slightly forward and the other to the rear, optimising plant coverage. Central vortex nozzles are designed for maximum spray efficacy by causing the spray to swirl around the target.
Turn compensation
The spray system also provides turn compensation. “It’s a good feature,” highlighted Matthew. “Often, when walking fields, flushes of weeds are seen on the outside of turns where the boom travelled faster, in effect reducing the application rate.
Where the inside of turns received an excess application, the land is weed free. Turn compensation automatically adjusts rates across the boom nozzle sections throughout the turns, so that all areas receive the correct dose. It’s better for the crops too and reduces stress and scorching.”
Matthew also says the tank filling and chemical induction system is the best he has ever used, programmed from the main cab control screen and switched at the touch of a button. “The filling process is very clean, and the induction hopper has a powerful draw. Although we haven’t yet mixed powders or salts which will be more of a test, we are convinced that they won’t be a problem.”
He also describes the CCS Pro cleaning system as ‘fantastic’, speeding up the cleaning cycle, and saving valuable time changing between crops.
Superb operator environment
The Horsch cab is approximately 50% larger than that of the previous sprayer. The higher specification, Cabin Pro version was selected, with a heated and ventilated leather seat for extra comfort. “There’s plenty of space, the visibility is superb and the controls are ergonomically designed and user-friendly,” said Michael.
Spray instructions are sent remotely to the sprayer from the farm office, and RTK guidance by sim-card manages variable rate applications, spray section activation and is used for automatic steering. “It’s all very simple and once I arrive at the field, I just press the ‘Play’ button and the sprayer controls the application automatically.”
Extended operating windows
The new sprayer has taller wheels than its predecessor, creating a bigger footprint, spreading the weight and allowing it to travel more easily on soft ground. The previous sprayer had 710mm standard tyres, whereas the new sprayer has narrower 650mm, reducing crop damage at the tramline edges while the larger footprint reduces ground pressure and increases traction.
A set of narrower, high-clearance wheels were also purchased for use later in the season, particularly for applications to oilseed rape, potatoes and rye.
Adjustable wheeltrack
The Horsch is equipped with hydraulically adjustable axles. “The new VT version is the first 5,000-litre model from Horsch with hydraulic wheeltrack adjustment,” continued Matthew.
“Although we use 80in wheelings across all our own crops, it makes swapping wheels easier as we only need to adjust the axles rather than repositioning wheel centres, and it also provides extra scope to carry out contract applications for farmers using alternative track widths.”
The right machine for the job
James Bowers told Farmers Guide that the latest Horsch Leeb 5.230VT has quickly proved popular with farmers across the dealer’s trading area.
“It competes easily with other smaller capacity self-propelled sprayers, particularly as few others of this size offer similar levels of spray technology, and the Horsch boom stability is second to none,” he explained.
“Our Horsch customers benefit from the same great back-up that our Claas customers enjoy, with a dedicated service team which specialises in the Horsch products. I was delighted when Rougham Estate confirmed its order for the new sprayer as I firmly believe that the size, features and specification are ideal for the situation.”
Matthew is confident that the Horsch build quality and reliability will allow the sprayer to be kept for at least five to seven years before it is updated. “We remain extremely pleased with our decision to invest in the Horsch Leeb VT, and its design is particularly well suited to our small fields.
“Having 1,000 litres of extra tank capacity as well as the ability to switch nozzles without leaving the cab makes a big difference to our productivity, and the combination of cruise control as well as the boom’s impressive stability allow optimum work rates to be achieved while reducing driver fatigue.
“Although latest versions of our previous sprayer feature improvements incorporated since we bought ours in 2018, we remain convinced of the Horsch Leeb’s superiority. From higher work rates to increased accuracy, ease of use and operator comfort. It’s a real step-up in every way and supported by an exceptional dealer team,” Matthew concluded.
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