Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/529491
www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER JULY 2015 25 payload of about 70 pounds, but the "practical payload" is listed at 35 pounds. It is mounted with two tanks, each hold- ing just over two gallons. A double-acting piston pump delivers material at a rate of 1.5 to 2-plus quarts per minute. For appli- cation of granular materials, two hoppers carry 18 pounds of material and discharge it by impeller at about 5 pounds a minute. Exact specs are given in metric units on the website. It is powered by a two-cycle, 246 cc engine that runs on gasoline with oil added to the fuel. It will run for about an hour before it needs refueling, Markofski said. According to Yamaha history, development began in 1983 when the company received a request to develop an unmanned helicopter for crop dusting from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery of Japan. That began initial research and development efforts that led to the industrial-use unmanned helicopter R-50 in 1987. In 1997, Yamaha released its new RMAX with greater payload capacity and greater ease of operation. Since then, RMAX helicopters have logged more than 2 million flight hours in agricultural uses include spraying of fungicides, insecti- cides, and herbicides, seeding, remote sensing, and frost mitigation. In Japan, RMAX helicopters are primarily used for seeding and spraying rice, but have also been used in wheat, soybeans, and vegetables. Yamaha cites several advantages to using the RMAX: No soil compaction, no crop damage, reduced applicator expo- sure to chemicals, and less drift. A key advantage of the helicopter design is it requires no landing strip and can launch from anywhere. The FAA set some specific limits on how the RMAX can be used. It must be in visual line of sight of the operator at all times, can't exceed speeds of 45 miles per hours, can't go above 400 feet altitude, must not leave the property on which it is operating, and can't go within four miles of an airport. The pilot must be trained and certified under FAA rules. It can't be used in populated areas. Yamaha has installed safety features including pre-takeoff diagnostics, alti- tude control, GPS (Global Positioning System) flight control, warning lights, rotor brakes, and safety default landing in case of loss of remote control. • "What makes our machine unique is it is the first one weighing more than 55 pounds to receive permission from FAA." —Steve Markofski