Exclusive test drive with the Baldan Avola 3000 self-propelled sprayer.

In a groundbreaking test for the teams from Revista Cultivar Máquinas and the Agrotechnology Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Maria, we went to Fazenda Boa Vista, in the municipality of Matão, São Paulo state, to test the Baldan self-propelled sprayer, model Avola 3000. We had not yet had the opportunity to test any equipment from this prestigious São Paulo-based brand, which has a broad portfolio of products for the agricultural sector.

With the support of the Baldan team, comprised of spraying specialist Eduardo Fernando Casagrande, after-sales spraying technician Juliano Martins Manzolli, and after-sales technician Marcos Rodinei Candido, we spent the day conducting field tests with this new Baldan product. This equipment was recently launched at Agrishow 2026 in Ribeirão Preto (SP), and has been on the market ever since.

The Avola 3000 we tested is a new, highly technological product, specifically designed for sugarcane, although the company has also launched a version for the grain market.

The sugarcane market demands certain specific characteristics, which were taken into account by the Baldan engineering team. For example, the boom length is shorter than that used for grains and compatible with other equipment used in the crop. A steering system for the rear wheels is also essential to reduce damage to the growing crop.

Another essential feature is the use of wider tires on this machine to prevent soil compaction and provide stability. This ability of the equipment to stabilize itself on the ground is fundamental, especially for operations that occur before the ridge-breaking operation. This work is done to reduce the difference in soil height between the area between the rows and the furrow, where the setts have been placed and the crop is developing. The ridge-breaking operation displaces a portion of soil into the furrow, in the center of the row, starting from the development of the third sugarcane node. Until this stage, the ridge remains high and unstable, requiring greater stability from the machine, which is achieved by the wider diagonal tire.

The sprayer can be used in spacings of 1,50 m, alternating double spacing (1,50 m x 0,90 m), and in alternative spacings such as 1,40 m. The self-propelled sprayer is part of this mechanized system, applying all the products used in the crop development cycle, which includes applications of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.

During the test we conducted, it was verified that a large number of safety requirements were met, with the Baldan team assuring us that the machine meets all the criteria established by Regulatory Standard NR-12 of the Ministry of Labor and Employment.

Incidentally, there were several aspects of this machine that positively surprised us. But, among the many to mention, we would choose the ease of operation. We saw that the machine's design has as its main objective to meet the needs of the person who will conduct the process. Everything is made easy so that the machine operator can achieve the correct settings and that the operation of all controls is easy and safe. We highlight the issue of product incorporation and mixture formation, using the incorporator, located on the left side of the machine, near the main tank. The equipment has an external panel that controls all actions. Thus, the operator can incorporate the product, using personal protective equipment, without needing to enter the cabin during the process. Only after the entire system is configured, the mixture is ready, and the equipment is adjusted to begin application, does the operator enter the cabin.

Vehicle

The Avola 3000 self-propelled sprayer is a four-wheeled vehicle with a steering and suspension system, powered by an engine and a drive transmission, to which spray application equipment is attached. The engine responsible for providing power and torque to move the vehicle and all other components is an MWM engine, calibrated to deliver 260 hp. The fuel tank, located to the right of the main spray tank, holds up to 300 L.

The power transmission is hydrostatic, with 4x4 all-wheel drive and independent electronic traction control for each wheel. The system can lock the wheel that is losing traction, transferring the effort to those with better ground conditions, which facilitates movement on unstable terrain. The gearboxes are from Bonfiglioli and the wheel motors are Danfoss, used in other brands and therefore tested and approved for agricultural tasks. The application speed goes up to 30 km/h and, in transport, can reach up to 48 km/h under suitable conditions.

The wheels fitted to the sugarcane version of the model we tested are of the diagonal type, measuring 18.4-38. Radial profile wheels are generally used in the grain version, in sizes 380/80R38 and 380/90R38, however few sugarcane customers opt for this configuration, precisely because of the stability that wider tires provide on routes performed on the back of the truck.

The chassis is constructed from metal profiles forming a square tube, seemingly quite robust, with axles interconnected by stabilizing arms. The wheel columns, or axle shafts, which provide ground clearance, are constructed from assembling plates welded together, offering more space than those made of cast iron. In this way, the hydraulic hoses for wheel actuation are embedded within the axle shafts, an important detail to prevent damage to the crop. All hoses and hydraulic blocks are well distributed and organized, with quick-connect fittings for easy connection during machine assembly and maintenance.

One important point we verified during the test is the weight distribution between the wheel axles. The manufacturer states a static weight distribution of 50% on each axle. This is an important design point in this type of machine, mainly due to the speed at which it travels during operation and the natural instability that vehicles with a high center of mass of this size are subject to. Analyzing the equipment by the distribution of components, it is noticeable that there was a significant concern with this point. The distribution begins with the cab, positioned forward in relation to the front axle, then immediately behind it the engine, which is strategically placed in a transverse position, followed by the main tank, the hydraulic fluid reservoir and, finally, the drawbar.

One of the highlights we saw during the test, including a special turning radius test to prove the system's efficiency, is the integrated steering of the front and rear wheels. The Avola 3000 corrects the trajectory of the rear axle based on the front axle, using three positioning sensors, ensuring that the rear wheels always follow the same path, reducing damage. We verified the perfect functioning of the system which, in principle, seems simple, but required considerable effort from the factory's engineering team to design and implement it in the machine, as it has automotive standards and will be very useful for customers. In cases where it is not needed, it can be deactivated.

Due to the operational speed of this equipment, it is necessary to install an efficient suspension and vibration damping system, especially for low-frequency, high-amplitude vibrations, in order to mitigate terrain irregularities. For this reason, self-propelled sprayers are equipped with suspension. In this case, the Avola 3000 has an active pneumatic suspension, which controls each wheel individually, always actively. An important detail is that the air chambers of the pneumatic system are located in the structure, close to the wheels, and not in the wheel shafts or columns.

Another technological detail is unprecedented in the machines we tested. A sensor placed in the main tank instantly measures the volume of the slurry level, but it also serves as an active safety device, as it measures the longitudinal and lateral inclination (roll) of the machine, providing danger alerts to the operator whenever the vehicle is unstable. In certain situations, this is very important.

The GPS and autopilot system, with RTK or RTX correction, is hydraulic and standard on all equipment in this model.

This equipment underwent validation by Baldan teams, encompassing field and laboratory tests. The field tests, conducted in Bahia, São Paulo, and Paraná under varying conditions, involved methods for evaluating ramp power, stability of the bars and wheel slip control systems, as well as the equipment's structural resistance.

In the laboratory, accelerated tests were conducted to verify the resistance of components such as the chassis, axles, and spray booms, simulating long operating cycles in the field.

Spraying system

The spraying system of such a technologically advanced application equipment uses electronic spray control, minimizing errors and configuration difficulties. It begins with a three-thousand-liter tank, constructed of stainless steel, equipped with hydraulic agitators for the spray mixture. From there, the fluid goes to a spray pump from the well-known brand Hypro, also constructed of stainless steel, designed for a maximum flow rate of 556 L/min, capable of applying the necessary doses required by the sugarcane crop.

The tank can be filled with clean water or ready-mixed syrup using the equipment's own pump, or with external motor pumps. When using clean water, the product can be mixed to form the syrup using a 30 L Arag brand incorporator, which also performs triple rinsing of bottles, located on the left middle side of the machine.

As expected, there is a suction filter on the pump, important for removing impurities and preserving the components. The liquid enters through quick-connect filling nozzles, located below the cabin platform, for both clean water and the ready-mixed solution.

Additionally, the Avola 3000 has a 360 L clean water tank used for cleaning the equipment. It is supplied by a Hypro brand transfer pump. Furthermore, on the rear left side, a 26L reservoir is used for washing hands and small items.

Barra

The Avola 3000 spray boom, specified for sugarcane, is shorter than the grain version, offering options of 24 m and 27 m, with a spacing between the trijet nozzle holders of 50 cm. The spraying height is variable, ranging from 0,58 m to 2,42 m.

During the test, one of the points we observed was the bar's ability to remain stable, even on uneven terrain. We found that the system using springs, plus the hydraulic chamber placed on the cylinder, was quite effective in stabilizing the bar.

Nine sections were established along the entire width of the boom, with the possibility of automatic flow control per section. This control can be done using equipment from two of Baldan's partner brands, Trimble and Agres. The equipment we tested was equipped with the section control of the Trimble GFX 1060 Autopilot NAV960 system, but if the customer wishes, it can also come with the Agres Agronave 12. In the case of using the Trimble equipment, it can control 21 sections, with an average of three nozzles per section, but when it reaches the nozzle tip, the control can be nozzle by nozzle, that is, one nozzle will be a section. In the Agres system, the control can be for up to 18 sections, and at the nozzle tip with fewer nozzles per section.

The bar's opening and closing are very easy to do. It is divided into three parts: the central or primary part, fixed to the rear of the machine, and two wings, each formed by an intermediate portion and a tip. Interestingly, half the bar can be used for finishing. A detection sensor indicates when the bar is opening and closing.

Since the Avola sprayer is a functional piece of equipment designed to protect plants, it works intensively in sugarcane fields, even at night. Therefore, the Baldan engineering team dedicated efforts to providing full illumination for the entire machine, not just headlights, but complete illumination, including a blue light bar so the operator can monitor the application. This light beam is directed across the spray pattern.

Finally, it is important to mention that operator safety and equipment maintenance quality were considered in the design, providing for a clean water recirculation circuit throughout the system, including the spray arms, so that no product accumulates in the arms after application.

Dimensional and weight characteristics

The Avola 3000 self-propelled sprayer is an imposing machine weighing 11.260 kg, with dimensions that characterize it as a large machine. The total length is 9,50 m. The height, width, and ground clearance depend on the tires used. In the model we tested, equipped with 18.4-38 diagonal profile tires, the total height is 4,21 m, and the total width is 3,38 m. The ground clearance with this tire option is 1,73 m, and when equipped with 380/90 R46 tires, the ground clearance increases to 1,80 m.

The track width, which is the center-to-center distance of the wheels on the same axle, can be varied from 2,90 m to 3,65 m, with the positions limited by a support on the stop, and can be adjusted from inside the cab, with automatic opening adjustment.

Ergonomics of the operator's workstation

One of the points we also paid close attention to during the field test was the operator's station, which uses a fairly spacious, enclosed cabin. The steering column is of the automotive type, with three adjustment options: two for position and one for depth, which is quite suitable for allowing the operator to move when entering and exiting, as well as adapting to body measurements.

One of the main details that positively impressed us was the ergonomic design of the controls. This equipment features a layout where the most frequently used controls are located on the multi-function control (joystick), which forms the base during operation. Controls used moderately are distributed on the console to the right of the operator's seat, and those used less frequently are placed on the cab ceiling. This is considered an intelligent layout that will certainly provide comfort to operators, especially during long work shifts.

The main monitor, defined as the cluster screen, is the primary interface of the Avola 3000, displaying a wealth of information such as the spray level in the tank, spray pressure, hydraulic oil temperature and level, fuel level, coolant temperature, engine speed, and the configuration of available operating modes.

But other information can be obtained from this monitor, such as error alarms and general diagnostics, like the possibility of testing the electrical circuit by reading the current values ​​at each point, disabling the rear steering, and diagnosing the operation of the engine and the machine in general. It is also possible to configure two speeds there, for example, one for the application and another for maneuvering.

But our positive surprises don't end there. With the monitor, the operator can activate the rear-view camera display, even while moving forward, seeing how the spraying is working, including at night, through the blue light beam. Other important functions offered by Avola's technology are an electronic manual and a revision control system. Finally, we must mention the functionality included in this machine, which will certainly improve the operation, as it is possible to record and store a file with automatic operation logs for later analysis and verification of proper functioning. This log file can be considered the sprayer's black box. The instantaneous and recorded information can be accessed remotely via telemetry, so that a Baldan technician or authorized technician can intervene to correct any problem or even indicate items for maintenance and improvement of the application process.

Depending on the precision agriculture system the farmer chooses, an interactive screen will be placed in the cabin. In the case of the equipment we tested, the existing screen was from the Trimble NAV 900 1060 system.

Considerations finals

This was our first experience with equipment from the renowned Baldan brand. Being able to evaluate the field performance of a recently launched piece of equipment with technology like the Avola 3000 was quite interesting.

Due to the terrain being mostly flat, it was not possible to assess the ramp capability of the Avola 3000; however, the technical team accompanying us reported that it can handle a 47% incline when equipped with 380/80R38 radial tires and 40% with 18.4-38 diagonal profile tires.

During our test, the average travel speed was 12 km/h, but we noticed considerable stability at higher speeds during travel. Technically, it can operate at speeds of up to 30 km/h and reach up to 48 km/h during transport. A large part of these limits is due to the vehicle's damping system and suspension bars.

We conducted spraying performance tests, also evaluating maneuverability, including determining turning radius, boom opening, and working with half the boom to cover areas.

Jose Fernando Schlosser,
Agrotechnology Laboratory
Nema - UFSM