Spraymaster [Mk2]

Maker and role
Heron Cars Limited, Manufacturer
Croplands Equipment Limited, Manufacturer

Object detail

Accession number

2021.19

Maker

Heron Cars Limited
Croplands Equipment Limited

Production period

1980s

Description

Spraymaster Mk2.

The vehicle consists of a blue fibreglass cab with a door on either side. On each door is a wing mirror which retracts with a metal lever. Inside the cab is a singular seat in a cream upholstery. Attached to the dashboard is a black steering wheel and a series of dials and buttons. A black maker's plate reads, "HERON SPRAYMASTER / MANUFACTURED BY / CROPLANDS EQUIPMENT LTD / WELLINGTON NEW ZEALAND / CHASSIS NO H.R.B7/050515". Other labels read, "LAND SPEED / P 400 = 2 MPH / P 500 = 2.5 MPH / P 600 = 3 MPH", "SPRAY PRESSURE", "LIGHT", "WIPER", "FAN" and "TEMP". The gear stick is attached to the inside of the right-hand side door with labels that read, "OUT / PUMP / HI / NEUTRAL /LOW". The front windshield has a singular black wiper, and a silver bumper lines the front of the cab. Attached to the back of the cab is the structural remains of the rear of the vehicle. This consists of four black wheels and the fan mechanics at the rear. A maker's plate on the fan reads, "Gebr.Holder Metzingen / Masch. Nr. / Masch. Typ / Baujahr / Motor Nr. / MADE IN GERMANY".

Brief History

Ross Baker of Heron Cars Limited was approached by orchardist Bob Gee to design an alternative way of spraying fruit crops to protect the grower from chemical sprays and the weather. By 1978 the first Spraymaster developed by Baker and Gee was up and running. It featured four wheel, powered steering to make it easier to circle back through the orchard rows and an enclosed, air-conditioned cab to make the work of fruit spraying safer. The vehicle was also designed with a wide lower body and slender upper to protect orchard crops. Croplands Equipment purchased the rights to commercially manufacture Spraymasters and this is a surviving example of the 17 that went on to be manufactured by Croplands.

Marks

HERON SPRAYMASTER / MANUFACTURED BY / CROPLANDS EQUIPMENT LTD / WELLINGTON NEW ZEALAND / CHASSIS NO H.R.B7/050515 Maker's Plate
LAND SPEED / P 400 = 2 MPH / P 500 = 2.5 MPH / P 600 = 3 MPH Label
SPRAY PRESSURE Label
LIGHT Label
WIPER Label
FAN Label
TEMP Label
OUT / PUMP / HI / NEUTRAL /LOW Label
Gebr.Holder Metzingen / Masch. Nr. / Masch. Typ / Baujahr / Motor Nr. / MADE IN GERMANY Label

Media/Materials

Processed Material/Metal
Processed Material/Synthetic/Plastic
Processed Material/Glass
Organic/Vegetal/Plant Extract/Latex/Rubber

Collection

Vehicle Collection

Credit Line

Heron Cars Limited et al. Spraymaster [Mk2], 2021.19. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).