Emperor 3.0

The first self-propelled machine with triple function, launched by Stara, combines a sprayer with central bars, a solid fertilizer distributor and a pneumatic seeder in a single machine.

The Imperador 3.0 is an unprecedented self-propelled machine and combines a sprayer with central bars, a distributor and a pneumatic seeder, being able to carry out all three operations with the same equipment at different times. This machine launched by Stara comes to meet the desires of rural producers who were looking for self-propelled equipment with great working autonomy, but who were faced with the high amounts to be invested with the acquisition of more than one machine to carry out their work on the farm. The Imperador 3.0 project is based on the concept of enabling producers to have a self-propelled vehicle on their property with cutting-edge technology for spraying and distribution, in addition to allowing the sowing of a mix of fine seeds for soil coverage, a trend in Brazilian agriculture, combined with a more affordable cost.

The characteristics of this machine provide producers with efficiency in their farm work, in addition to reducing operating costs, all combined with operational simplicity. Imperador 3.0 allows fertilizer and pesticide applications to be split in installments, using the same trail, ensuring greater agility, speed and efficiency in applications. It has an excellent cost-benefit ratio, as it comes to the market to be the machine that does the most work on the property, carrying out spraying, distribution and seeding. According to data from the Aquarius Project, the average productive gains from using a single trail in spraying and distribution operations are one bag/ha in soybeans and two bags/ha in corn.

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION

The Imperador 3.0 allows you to change gears while the machine is moving, keeping the application speed constant during work. It has a 223 hp Cummins turbo electronic engine, complying with MAR-I legislation, intended for the agricultural segment. In addition to greater durability, the engine has low pollutant emissions and lower vibration and noise. The Eco Mode available on this machine provides better performance and performance of the engine and transmission, ensuring a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 12%. This happens through the Topper 5500, which communicates with the self-propelled engine. 
The transmission system is hydro 4 x 4, with optional traction control, allowing work on terrain with a slope of up to 31,7%, with the highest ramp capacity in the category. The hydraulic pump is LS (Load Sensing), an intelligent system that provides the necessary flow for the implement, coupled to the engine, which provides more efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.

PULVERIZATION
In the spraying system, the self-propelled machine has a 2.400-liter spray reservoir, made of polyethylene. The central bars, exclusively patented by Stara, guarantee stability during application, even on uneven terrain. With the central bars, the producer can spray 75% of the time at the ideal height, that is, being 58% more efficient, according to studies by the Agricultural Research Foundation. The producer can choose a bar length of 27 or 30 meters, both with nozzle spacing of 50 centimeters. The application height with 27 meter bars ranges from 60 centimeters to 2,05 meters. With 30 meter bars, the application height ranges from 80 centimeters to 2,25 meters, with a free span height of 1,5 meters, without Up and Down System. During spraying, the weight of the machine is evenly distributed, 50% at the front and 50% at the rear.
In research carried out by Fapa – Agricultural Research Foundation, three models of self-propelled sprayers were compared to prove the quality of the central boom system. In this study, the central bar system was compared with two models with rear bars, applied at three speeds on the same route, simulating real working conditions. The sprayers were from producers in the Guarapuava region, Paraná, and driven by the property's operators. The result of this study showed that the Imperador with central bars is 58% more efficient than the other models tested, working 75% of the time at the ideal spraying height (50 cm from the target with a maximum oscillation of 20 cm up or down). 
The Imperador 3.0 has a clean water reservoir with a capacity of 240 liters, which makes the producer's job easier when supplying the incorporator and carrying out the triple wash. The self-filling pump, optional for this machine, allows the reservoir to be completely filled in less than five minutes. It also has an incorporator and bottle washer with a capacity of 35 liters, eliminating the need to open the incorporator lid and allowing the reuse of the pesticide from washing for spraying.
The Stara Spray System (SPS) features calibrated return, exclusive to Stara. This system has the advantage of not overloading the spray nozzles, because when the sections are turned off, the product returns to the spray reservoir, not remaining in the hoses or nozzles that continue working. This way, it is possible to maintain the same pressure, generating more precision in the application, quality of information about the work and product savings. The Imperador 3.0 bars are fixed at four points on the machine, this gives the sprayer a great copy of the soil, maintaining stability and the spray target. The bars have a damping system against operational forces, which increases their useful life.
The suspension of the Imperador 3.0 is active pneumatic, with a three-point system that provides great uniformity in spraying. Furthermore, it allows for better copying of the terrain, lower slippage and better application quality.

DISTRIBUTION
For distribution, the Imperador 3.0 has a stainless steel tank with a capacity of up to three tons (depending on the specific weight of the product), with high resistance to oxidation caused by the agricultural products used, giving the tank greater durability. The double gate, which is optional, gives the distributor greater precision in the application. It was developed to save fertilizers when carrying out trimmings, applications on borders and also in areas already applied, avoiding overlapping, following the ideal dosage recommendation and correcting existing variability in the soil. An optional tarpaulin for the reservoir is easily accessible for opening and closing, using a handle, which prevents the product from coming into contact with moisture, protecting against wind and rain. It has a coefficient of variation (CV) below 12% under normal climatic conditions, maintaining an excellent distribution profile.

Furthermore, Imperador 3.0 has a rubber belt with a self-centering device for the conveyor belt, for greater precision in application. The rollers have a reduced distance between them, which considerably improves the distribution of weight on the conveyor belt, resulting in more precise and uniform distribution. The treadmill chassis is made of stainless steel, which provides a longer useful life for the equipment. The rubber belt system was designed in this way to avoid the formation of “bellies” in the component, eliminating undue variation in dosage and ensuring uniformity of application. The application discs have blade adjustment and provide an application range of up to 30 meters, with great uniformity. The weight of the Imperador 3.0 during distribution is located 44% at the front and 56% at the rear.
As an option to make the operation even more efficient, the Imperador 3.0 has a camera to assist when reversing the machine and to visualize the operation of the double gate. 
Another evolution of the Imperador 3.0 is the use of 380/80 R38 radial tires, which provide a lower rate of slippage and soil compaction. Wheel motors have axial reducers that allow faster movement of the equipment and greater torque for working on rough terrain. This self-propelled vehicle has an electrical system made up of modular harnesses, integrated into the machine and properly positioned inside protective conduits, avoiding exposure and direct contact with corrosive products and the elements, thus increasing product protection. With the same objective, derivative splices are applied to the harnesses, in addition to the use of the best connectors on the market with seals resistant to field application.

CABINS
The Imperador 3.0 cabin has large internal space, is comfortable and provides great acoustic insulation. The air conditioning is digital and with an activated carbon filter, to ensure the best quality of air circulating in the cabin. Allows broad visibility of the crop and bars during application. It has a pneumatic suspension seat, CD player with USB and Bluetooth input, and the interior finish of the cabin allows for easy cleaning and hygiene.

TECHNOLOGY
The Imperador 3.0 is equipped with the best standard technology package offered by Stara, with autopilot and Topper 5500. The autopilot reduces failures, overruns and crushing in straight and curved mode applications, enabling traffic control and more performance. The Topper 5500 is a complete controller for precision agriculture that brings together information from agricultural machines in a single device, with simple and practical access. It allows you to work with a free or paid signal, and can be used in fixed or variable rate applications.
With this package, producers can enable Stara Telemetry, which makes it possible to have their farm in the palm of their hand. It provides real-time management of information on operations carried out on the farm, through a device with internet access. All Stara hardware and software are produced by the company itself in tune with the mechanics and hydraulics of the machine, all with 100% national technology.

Go up and down - Did you need it? Got up!
The Imperador 3.0 has the Up and Down System, which allows the machine to increase its free space by 40 centimeters, that is, the height goes from 1,43 meters to 1,83 meters with the system activated. With this, the producer can carry out fractional and late application of nitrogen to corn and control pests and diseases before and after bolting the crop, guaranteeing health and increasing crop productivity. Furthermore, it provides the same trail for spraying, distribution and cover seeding work at the end of the crop cycle, reducing losses due to crushing and increasing production gains.
The Up and Down System makes it possible to work with the machine with a larger free space only when needed. Activation is quick and simple, using a command on the Topper 5500. The application height with the Up and Down System and 27 meter bars ranges from 58 centimeters to 2,43 meters. For the Imperador 3.0 with 30 meters of bar, the application height ranges from 78 centimeters to 2,63 meters. The free span goes from 1,43 meters to 1,83 meters with this system.

Emperor 3.0CA
To meet the peculiar characteristics of sugarcane and rice crops, which are normally grown on uneven terrain, Stara brings to rural producers the Imperador 3.0 CA, with an application height varying between 50 centimeters and 1,95 meters or 40 centimeters to 1,85 meters, varying according to the tire chosen by the producer, which can be 380/80 R38 or 540/65 R28. The CA model is available with 27 meter bars and a clearance of 1,30 meters or 1,40 meters, depending on the tire.

PNEUMATIC SEEDER
High yields start with efficient cover cropping. To make cover seeding more effective, Imperador features a pneumatic system, called Ponte Verde, which provides seeding across the entire length of the bar. This guarantees better uniform coverage, using the same spray trail, reducing operating time, losses due to crushing and fuel consumption.

The pneumatic seeder that sows fine seed mixes consists of a turbine, seed mixer and seed outlet. The turbine is responsible for supplying the air necessary to drive seeds through the conductive tubes. The seed mixer and separator mixes the different seeds to distribute them evenly through the seed outlet, guaranteeing the quality of the coverage distribution. This system is available for models with 30 meters of boom, with guaranteed uniformity across the entire length of the boom.
According to Silva R.F. et al (2014), with the use of cover crops, the increase in soil diversity can be at least 18%, reaching up to 78% (mainly earthworms and mites). This is related to greater nutrient cycling and increased organic matter in the soil. Other studies with cover crops demonstrate that the productive gain can reach 24% in soybeans, depending on the cover crop used, such as that of Pacheco et al (2009). Another major point to be observed is the productive stability that is gained over the years, presented by Amado et al (1999) in a study carried out over nine years. On average for this period in corn cultivation, the average increase, using the “vetch” cover crop in relation to “oats”, was 45,6%. What can be seen in this work is that, depending on the crop, it can also have an important source of nitrogen.