Review: Househam Harrier H5 sprayer

By: Mark Fouhy, Photography by: Mark Fouhy

Date: 27.11.2023

Quality Bertolini pumps are used

Valves and cam lock filling points

Mixing tank folded neatly away

The 30L mix/rinse hopper

Control panel for sprayer

Large screen to monitor sprayer function

A possible mounting point for suction hose or chemical storage

Quality Bertolini pumps are used

Valves and cam lock filling points

Mixing tank folded neatly away

The 30L mix/rinse hopper

Control panel for sprayer

Large screen to monitor sprayer function

A possible mounting point for suction hose or chemical storage

Recently landed in NZ, the Househam Harrier has an impressive wingspan of up to 32m and is dedicated to helping keep weeds and diseases under control

Just like the Harrier Hawk, the English Househam Harrier (the latest generation of Househam self-propelled machine) also has an impressive wingspan. Up to 32 metres, this mammoth reach is ideal for covering large amounts of ground in a short window of time (necessary these days as contractors and farmers struggle to complete their spraying demands in the pockets of suitable weather).

The quality-built Househam Harrier H5 arrived at the yard of EuroAgri in Canterbury, where it was eagerly awaited by a group of local farmers who work together on their properties, as well as doing a small amount of contract spraying.

Having run four Househam self-propelled sprayers already, they were aware of the benefits the brand and its technology offer. Major changes to the Househam Harrier H5, however, include the new Vista cab (taken from CLAAS harvesters), offering an updated level of comfort over previous models and enhancing operator comfort and useability. Reliability, efficiency, and comfort are at the heart of this design throughout every aspect.

Perched on top of 46" tyres provides plenty of ground clearance

Boom options range from 24 metres up to 36 metres, with either two or three folding sections on each side. The test machine we looked at on our visit was ordered with a 32-metre boom option,
a sizeable difference from the 24-metre boom on the previous machine. This offers the ability to cover more ground with each pass, while still being able to run the sections at 24 metres (if the tramlines have been predetermined at planting).

Boom time

Househam designs its booms in-house, with all booms manufactured from steel to ensure the greatest strength. Additionally, sensors on the wings help prevent damage from hitting the ground.

The auto boom level function works in conjunction with the boom suspension, for vertical load as well as forwards/backwards movement of the boom when turning, etc.

With three sections per side, the boom folds up neatly for transport

The air ride suspension of the Harrier, like that used on trucks, also helps minimise extra stress on the boom while operating across paddocks. A ladder frame mounting system is used to mount the sprayer, running on 46-inch tyres. As the first Househam in New Zealand running these larger diameter tyres, it delivers an impressive 1.3 metres of ground clearance, allowing the operator to set the boom height to spray anywhere between 40cm and 240cm, depending upon the crop being sprayed.

On the machine we looked at, there are 12 sections, which can be shut off as required (helping save chemicals). One boom line has two outlets, each with two nozzle options. These work together to keep the spray rate right, as the speed of spraying changes across a paddock. As well as the full LED work light package for excellent night vision, the blue LED boom lights allow a good view of spraying operations when natural lighting is lacking.

Spray system

A quality spray system is part of the package with any Househam sprayer. Boasting an in-house-made and designed stainless steel tank, there are a range of tank sizes available: 4000 litres, 5000 litres, and 6000 litres.

Ladder frame boom mounting gives great height adjustment for a range of spraying applications

A fold-down 30-litre mixing and rinsing hopper is located on the left side of the machine, conveniently located by the electronic control panel and control taps, allowing you to do everything you need from the ground in one spot, without needing to do anything on the in-cab monitor.

This machine uses a quality Bertollini pump connected to a high-tech electronic system, run by four CAN bus computers to control the different function groups. Toolboxes behind the cab and by the control panel provide storage for the essential PPE required for spraying.
One area that’s slightly lacking is around storage for pump hoses should you use the machine for contracting away from your home base. However, this is a relatively straightforward fix, and the team at EuroAgri was fabricating a storage box to mount on the front of the sprayer to solve this.

Sensors help protect the boom from damage

Autosteer and section control give you the greatest accuracy on the sprayers. Househam has been fitting AgJunction nav guide systems on these machines in New Zealand, running an Ag Leader receiver, although, I’m sure you could spec with whatever you want in this area: Trimble/ Topcon/ Greenstar, etc.

As well as auto steer, the four-wheel steer allows the Harrier to ensure minimal damage on valuable crops, with front and rear wheels tracking on the same lines.

Cab

The new to Househam but ex-CLAAS Vista cab is one of the standout features/upgrades for the latest Harrier model. Comfort is taken care of with good heating and cooling, premium leather, and air-suspended seating.

Great comfort and visibility from the new Vista cab

There’s also a handy 27-litre fridge to keep lunch and drinks cool. Radio with Bluetooth connectivity, which most operators would struggle to survive without nowadays, is also part of the package. If you’re familiar with CLAAS foragers, you’ll feel right at home here. Basic operation is similar, with two-speed hydrostatic transmission. However, instead of a grass or maize pickup at the front and a bin to fill, you just have a boom to the rear to keep an eye on.

Forward visibility is excellent with the front wheels mounted behind the cab, and the panoramic cab provides a good view all round. With the engine and 5000-litre tank directly behind, a reversing camera helps take care of any blind spot directly behind the machine, while large glass doors provide a good view of the boom tips.

The Harrier comes fully kitted with an LED lighting package, worth its weight in gold for early mornings and late nights. And while the 46-inch wheels are great
for crop clearance, it does mean the operator is perched rather high off the ground, but there’s a folding ladder to get up into the cab.

Engine

This latest Househam Harrier H5 opts for an Iveco engine producing 235hp, using the latest technology to achieve emissions targets of EU machines, and the new engine and cab combination makes the new Harrier quieter than previous models.

Four-wheel steer in paddock, two-wheel steer for road mode

The engine drives a two-speed hydrostatic transmission, standard at 40km per hour. With the air ride suspension, the Harrier was as smooth as silk as we drove it down the road, and although it doesn’t always look it (largely due to its massive size), it was still stable off-road, partly due to the 5000-litre tank being kept as low as possible in the frame.

One downside of high clearance self-propelled sprayers is often around servicing the engine. The Harrier offers plenty of room to get underneath to drain oil or change filters and has walkways to the tank which double as access for working on the engine if necessary.

Summary

Having the right tools for the job always makes life easier, whether it’s a hammer to drive a nail or in this case, the latest self-propelled sprayer. With more than 50 years of experience behind the Househam brand, this newest machine represents the continual evolution and dedication to innovating and improving.

The 32m boom width, with options from 24m to 36m

If you have serious hectares to cover, as a contractor or farmer (or group of farmers in the case of this specific test machine), the Househam Harrier H5 has the capacity to get the job done in comfort and with accuracy and precision to achieve a quality outcome. With excellent back-up, knowledge, and service from the team at EuroAgri in Ashburton, it’s a machine that’s as forward-thinking as the rural industries continue to be.

Top features

• Air ride, smooth operation
• New Vista cab: quieter, more comfortable
• Well-built, quality machine using quality components
• Great ground clearance with new 46-inch tyres
• Househam-designed steel boom with different sizes to suit

Househam

Len Househam founded the Househam company back in 1970 with a simple business plan to help customers grow healthier crops. Since the beginning, Househam’s focus has been on producing advanced sprayers by creating innovative solutions and incorporating groundbreaking technology.

Through the 70s, the self-propelled unit was based on a standard Ford tractor, with a fabricated chassis and Spraycare spray unit fitted to the rear. It wasn’t until 1986 that the first complete Househam self-propelled sprayer was manufactured. Since then, Househam has celebrated milestones with centenary gold models of machines, added tractor-mounted and trailed machines to the range, as well as cab upgrades and improvements to spraying software, drives, and engines.

As well as producing standard machines, Househam has manufactured specialist machines with air booms and those suited to individual crops, such as cotton. In 2009, Househam produced its 1000th self-propelled machine.

The latest model Househam Harrier has been developed from feedback received directly from the end user, farmers, and spray contractors.

Househam Harrier H5 Specifications

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