Hey everyone!
I own a 50-acre tree farm in Oregon with steep ravines and dense canopies. Manual pesticide spraying was impossible, so I invested in a DJI Agras T40 drone (with 40L pesticide tank). Here’s my honest review after 6 months:
- Week 1-2: Mapped terrain with drone LiDAR. Calibrated spray nozzles for 20-micron droplets (ideal for pine beetle control).
- Month 1: Covered 12 acres/day vs. 2 acres manually. Saved $1,200 on labor!
- Month 3: 90% pest reduction in drone zones. BUT wind gusts over 12 mph caused drift into a creek—EPA warning!
- Month 6: Mastered night spraying (drones have thermal cameras). Zero drift with 0% wind.
Key Lessons:
- Legal Hurdles: FAA requires Part 107 license + state pesticide applicator certification.
- Battery Hell: 8 batteries = 4 hours of non-stop spraying. Invest in fast chargers.
- Eco-Tip: Use biodegradable pesticides to minimize runoff risks.