In this section we will make some payload calculation. Basically, we will see what is the weight of all items in the trailer and in the trunk. It is important to know the total payload as this factor will influence your vehicle choice as well as driving safety. We will compare the total payload requirements for both DJI and XAG drones, as there is a slight difference between these two drones.

 This is a list of total payload calculation for spraying fertilizers with estimated rate of 15 liters per hectare.

We have divided the list into two parts, as there is a slight difference in weights for DJI and XAG drones.

First on the list is water for mixing - you will require at least 750 liters of water for a total volume of 50 hectares. In addition, the clean water tank also weights around 50 kilos. Keep in mind the weight of the product, which will be provided to you by farmer. Basically, if according to product label the application rate is 1 liter per hectare, you will have to add 50 extra liters to your payload. Or, in case it is 5 liters per hectare, you must have room for 250 kilograms, in which case you will require less water for mixing.  Next is cooling water - only XAG requires this item, as the batteries have water cooling.

Cleaning water is required in both cases.

As we already discussed, generator setup is different for DJI and XAG. For DJI you will have to buy a third party generator which weights around 150 kilos. On opposite, XAG offers original light weight generators with total weight of 60 kilos. Since XAG generators don't provide 220 volt power supply, you will have to buy an additional mini-generator or power bank for mixer pump and utility supply, which is extra 15 kilos.

 In both cases drones with batteries will weight around 70 kilos. Mixer weight is approximately 50 kilograms and all equipment in the toolbox is 50 kilos as well.

You will probably be working with an assistant, who's weight is approximately 90 kilos.

In the result, the total payload for a 50 hectare scenario with the rate of 15 liter per hectare is over 1200 kilos. 

Well, remember, we had a target to spray 100 hectares per day. The main question is - are you capable to carry such weight?

Let's continue our calculation.

Let's add another 750 liters and extra cooling water for XAG drones. Eventually, the total payload is around 2 tonnes. 

If you have a Toyota Hilux or similar type of SUV with payload of 1 ton and towing capacity of 3500 kilos, you shouldn't have any issues.

One thing to keep in mind, you might have to obtain B96 driving license if you exceed 3500 kilos, which is a combined total weight of a car, trailer and payload.

You might ask, how can we reduce the payload? 

One option, which we don't recommend, is to reduce the spraying rate down to 13 liters per hectare, which will save you around 100 kilos. 

Other option is to ask farmer for the clean water supply. It is hard to forecast what sort of water they may provide, but don't expect to get high water quality which we discussed earlier in the generic chapter.

If the farmer prepares a mix by himself without your presence, we recommend to ask for a statement that the mix doesn't contain any prohibited products such as pesticides.

In any case, shell life of most products is only a few hours, which means you have to spray them very quickly after mixing and, mixing in advance might not be such a good idea.

If, for example, you are continuously working for one client, you may ask him to assist with clean water supply and install your own filtration system at his property. This will give you an opportunity to drive to and from work location with minimum payload.

What are the rumours about rates for pesticide spraying? Most probably the product labels will require operators to spray at least 20 or 30 liters per hectare, which will certainly increase your total payload.

One more thing to keep in mind - XAG P100 is not foldable and it will occupy lots of space in your trailer.