Ecorobotix expands Ara spot sprayer range to four models at Eima

Ecorobotix will show three new Ara spot sprayers and three new front-mounted tanks at the Eima trade fair in Bologna, Italy, from 10 to 14 November. The launch quadruples the Swiss manufacturer's range in a single move, from one model to four.

The production version of the Ara 1200, a 12-metre working width machine, heads the line-up. It follows the world premiere of the prototype at the AgroTechniek Holland (ATH) trade fair in mid-September, where importer Abemec displayed it on its stand. Eima visitors can also see the new Ara 200, with a 2-metre working width, and the previously announced Ara 900 at 9 metres.

Why four models instead of one?

Until now the range consisted solely of the familiar Ara 620 with its 6-metre working width. Ecorobotix developed the new widths in response to farmer demand for wider machines — and to growing competitive pressure.

The underlying technology stays the same across all four models. The camera and spraying system that made the Ara 620 a pioneer in spot spraying (targeted treatment of individual plants rather than whole fields) carries over unchanged. What is new is a redesigned control unit, already visible on Abemec's stand at ATH.

The Ara 1200 brings practical transport changes too. Despite its 12-metre working width, it is narrower in transport position than the existing Ara 620. It achieves this with a rear wheel assembly, central sections that fold upwards and outer sections that fold downwards. The machine weighs approximately 2,000 kg.

What do the new tanks offer?

Alongside the sprayers, Ecorobotix presents three new front-mounted tanks at Eima:

• TS900 — 900 litres nominal capacity
• TS1200 — 1,200 litres nominal capacity
• TS1500 — 1,500 litres nominal capacity

These sit alongside the existing 600-litre tank. Larger tanks matter for wider sprayers: a 12-metre boom covers twice the area per pass of the Ara 620, so tank capacity has to scale to keep refilling stops to a minimum.

What does it cost?

Abemec has already published prices for the two larger new models. The Ara 900 costs €180,000 and the Ara 1200 costs €210,000. The existing Ara 620 currently sells at €134,000. That positions the top model at €76,000 more than the machine that until now defined the brand.

How stiff is the competition?

Ecorobotix was once the pioneer of this segment but has faced several wider rivals in recent years. The Rumex RXF 900 offers a 9-metre working width. The Farm-ING SpotSprayING comes in 9- and 12-metre versions, and Farm-ING has recently added working widths of 2.5 to 3 metres and 4.5 metres. Its 3-metre version is available from €80,000 — less than the price of the smallest full-size Ara.

The new Ara 200 gives Ecorobotix an entry at the small end of the market for the first time, while the Ara 1200 matches the widest Farm-ING offering. The Ara 900 sits directly against the Rumex RXF 900 at identical working width.

Farmers weighing a spot sprayer purchase should watch the Eima stand closely, and compare the new tanks' capacities against their own refill logistics before choosing a width.