Herbicat presents spraying evolution with VAPT 2.0

One of the highlights of Herbishow 2024 was the presentation by Herbicat, a company specializing in developing and commercializing application technology equipment and accessories.

During the event, Luís César Pio, President of Herbicat, delivered the lecture ″The Evolution of Chemical Weeding Equipment: VAPT 2.0.″ The presentation highlighted the importance of localized herbicide application, a practice to increase productivity, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impact.

In this context, the president of Herbicat presented a comparative chart of aerial applications via drones and ground applications, pointing out the pros and cons of each method. Regarding ground application, the company introduced a new version of VAPT – Point Application Vehicle: the VAPT 2.0, emphasizing the technical evolution of the current model. 

"The vehicle is a historical evolution of other equipment developed since 2008, such as the micro tractor and the Herbiciclo, a quad bike with a spraying system," said Pio.  ″It is an innovation, as we still find companies and producers using only backpack sprayers in their work fronts for weeding,″ he added.

The Herbicat president highlighted the robustness of the equipment due to its 4x4 traction, maintaining agility and versatility as the main technical characteristics of the new equipment. Additionally, the VAPT 2.0 accommodates two people, offers greater stability and safety as its speed is limited to 25 km/h. 

"With great autonomy, thanks to a total tank capacity of 300 liters (two tanks of 200 and 100 liters), the VAPT 2.0 provides various application modes," the manufacturer said. The new model features a front box for inter-row applications, booms for applying selective and non-selective products, and pendants for application at the base of sugarcane plants, the company added.

The Brazilian industry for developing and commercializing spraying equipment and accessories was established in 1988 based on the experience of Agricultural Engineer Luís César Pio, who had been working with agrochemical application technology since the beginning of his career. 

Between 1993 and 1996, the company started manufacturing a line of sprayers and, over the years, developed technology supported by partnerships and exchanges with leading Brazilian universities. Moreover, it partnered with manufacturers of technological parts and accessories for spraying, such as TeeJet Technologies, Comet, GeoLine, Ace Pumps, and Sanz, among other current suppliers.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)