Drone Vineyard Spraying
DJI Agras T100 & T50
Real demo data, head-to-head platform comparison, battery operations, and precision positioning for vineyard operators.
Why Drones Fit Vineyards
Four drivers that make vineyards one of the strongest use cases for aerial spraying.
Head-to-Head: T100 vs T50 for Vineyards
Side-by-side spec comparison designed for vineyard decision-making.
| Specification | Agras T100 Heavy-Lift Workhorse | Agras T50 Flexible Mid-Size |
|---|---|---|
| Spray Tank | 100 L | 40 L |
| Max Flow Rate | 40 L/min (4 nozzles) | 24 L/min (4 nozzles) |
| Effective Spray Width | Wide swath | 4–11 m |
| Droplet Size | 50–500 μm | 50–500 μm |
| Spreading Capacity | 150 L / 400 kg/min | 75 L / 50 kg |
| Battery | DB2160 | DB1560 |
| Charge Time (30→95%) | 8–9 min | 9–12 min |
| Obstacle Sensing | mmWave radar + Penta Vision | Phased-array radar + Binocular |
| Price (from) | $39,167.00 | $30,297.00 |
- Large or steep blocks requiring volume per flight
- Tall, dense canopy needing maximum downwash
- Strong staging: headlands, mixing station, power available
- Multi-vineyard operations or contractor fleets
- Peak disease pressure across high-labor blocks
- Moderate block sizes or mixed estates with tight/irregular blocks
- More constrained staging areas with smaller footprint needs
- First spray drone before scaling to heavier platforms
- Trial blocks, organic parcels, or canopy experiments
- Balance of capability across multiple crop types
Real-World Vineyard Data
Outcomes from documented demos and research trials — not lab specs.
- Cone mixing station integration
- Flight speed/height tuned to canopy
- Redesigned mixing and staging workflow
- Large vigorous blocks with slope
- Downwash-driven canopy penetration
- Hard-to-reach terrain for ground rigs
- Tuned height, speed, lane spacing
- UAV matches ground sprayer deposition
- Steep/hard-to-reach blocks excel
Vineyard Spray Workflow
- NDVI & NDRE vigor maps
- Stress zone identification
- Slope analysis per block
- Block prioritization
- Prescription map creation
- Exclusion zone definition
- Logged repeatable missions
- Consistent droplet size
- Full canopy coverage
DB2160: The Battery Behind T100 Operations
The DB2160 Intelligent Flight Battery powers the Agras T100 — here is why it matters for all-day vineyard spraying.
Operational Impact
What Changed for Vineyard Ops
D-RTK 3 AG: Precision Positioning for Vineyard Rows
Repeatable routes, stable positioning, and consistent field documentation across large blocks and rolling terrain.
Why RTK Matters in Vineyards
D-RTK 3 AG Specs
Recommended Vineyard Kit
A realistic vineyard kit centred on DJI hardware — build up based on your block size and operation type.
| Category | Product | Role | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spray | DJI Agras T100 | Large/steep blocks, max throughput | $39,167.00 |
| Spray | DJI Agras T50 | Mixed/tight blocks, flexible coverage | $30,297.00 |
| Scout | Mavic 3 Multispectral (M3M) | Vigor mapping, block prioritization | $6,245.00 |
| Battery | DB2160 Flight Battery | Fast-charge power for T100 operations | $4,669.00 |
| Charging | C12000 Battery Charger (3-Phase) | 12,000W fast charge for continuous ops | $2,499.00 |
| Positioning | D-RTK 3 AG Module | RTK precision for repeatable rows | $2,205.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can drones spray vineyards on steep slopes?
Yes. DJI Agras drones with terrain-following and RTK positioning are documented spraying vineyard slopes up to 45°+. Rotor downwash helps drive droplets into canopy even on inclines where ground rigs cannot operate safely.
What is the difference between T100 and T50 for vineyards?
T100 carries a 100L spray tank (vs 40L on T50), making it ideal for large or steep blocks where volume per flight matters. T50 is better for moderate blocks, constrained staging areas, and mixed estates where flexibility and a smaller footprint are needed.
Do I need the DB2160 battery for the T100?
Yes, the Agras T100 is powered by the DB2160 Intelligent Flight Battery. With the C12000 fast charger, you get 30→95% charge in just 8–9 minutes, enabling continuous all-day vineyard operations with 3+ battery rotation.
What does D-RTK 3 AG do for vineyard spraying?
It provides centimetre-level positioning accuracy, enabling repeatable row-following, precise terrain-following on slopes, and documented flight paths for regulatory compliance and spray records.
How long does it take to spray a vineyard with a drone?
It depends on block size and configuration, but documented cases show a 600-acre vineyard reduced critical spray cycles from 5 days to about 2 days after optimizing staging and flight parameters.
Can I hire SkyFlow to spray my vineyard instead of buying a drone?
Yes. SkyFlow offers per-acre spraying services across Ontario. You get the precision of drone spraying without the capital investment. Contact us for a per-acre service quote.
Sources & References
Ready to Equip Your Vineyard?
Talk to a SkyFlow agriculture specialist to scope your vineyard blocks, compare T100 vs T50, and build a kit that matches your terrain and throughput targets.