How Many Acres in 1 Day?

How Many Acres in 1 Day?

How Many Acres Can the DJI Agras T50 and ABZ L30 Spray in a Day?
Flight Times and Coverage Breakdown
DJI Agras T50: Daily Acreage and Flight Times
The DJI Agras T50 is a powerhouse designed for large-scale agricultural operations, boasting a 10.56-gallon (40-liter) spray tank and a coaxial twin-rotor design for stability with heavy payloads. According to manufacturer specs, the T50 can cover up to 52 acres per hour when spraying at a typical rate of 2 gallons per acre (GPA). This figure includes time for landing, refilling, and battery swaps, making it a practical estimate for real-world conditions.
Over a 10-hour workday, this translates to 520 acres per day with a single T50, assuming optimal conditions and an efficient ground setup. You mentioned hearing claims of “up to 500 acres in a day” for the T50 over 10 hours, and that aligns closely with the manufacturer’s specs (52 acres/hour × 10 hours = 520 acres). However, let’s ground this in reality. In practice, most operators report covering 400 to 450 acres per day with the T50. Why the difference? Factors like field size, application rate, operator experience, and downtime for refilling or battery management can reduce the hourly rate to around 40-45 acres per hour.
Flight Times and Battery Management: The T50’s flight duration per battery charge is approximately 7 to 10 minutes when fully loaded with a 40-kg (10.56-gallon) spray tank, depending on conditions like wind, temperature, and payload weight. The DB1560 Intelligent Flight Battery, with a 30Ah capacity, supports rapid charging in about 9 minutes using the DJI C10000 charger. With a setup of four batteries cycling through charging, you can keep the T50 in the air almost continuously, pausing only for quick battery swaps (about 30 seconds) and tank refills (around 60 seconds). This minimizes downtime and helps you approach that 400-450-acre mark in a 10-hour day.
Key Specs Impacting Coverage:
  • Tank Capacity: 10.56 gallons (40 liters), covering 5.28 acres per tank at 2 GPA.
  • Spray Width: Up to 36 feet (11 meters), allowing for wide coverage per pass.
  • Flow Rate: 16 liters per minute with 2 sprinklers, or 24 liters per minute with 4 sprinklers, enabling faster application.
ABZ Innovation L30: Daily Acreage and Flight Times
The ABZ Innovation L30 is another excellent option we offer at DroneSprayPro, tailored for farmers who need a balance of capacity and precision. While ABZ Innovation doesn’t publish as detailed specs as DJI, industry insights and user reports provide a good picture of its performance. The L30 has a 30-liter (7.9-gallon) spray tank and is designed for efficiency in medium to large fields, with a focus on advanced spraying technology like CDA (Controlled Droplet Application) for uniform coverage.
Based on user feedback and similar drone benchmarks, the L30 can cover approximately 35 to 40 acres per hour at 2 GPA, including time for refilling and battery swaps. Over a 10-hour workday, this means the L30 can spray 350 to 400 acres per day under optimal conditions. This is slightly less than the T50 due to its smaller tank and slightly narrower spray width, but it’s still a strong performer for many operations.
Flight Times and Battery Management: The L30’s flight time per battery charge is around 8 to 12 minutes when fully loaded, depending on payload and environmental factors. ABZ Innovation emphasizes efficient battery systems, with recharge times typically around 10 to 15 minutes using a high-powered charger. With a setup of three to four batteries and a generator (220-240 volts, 30-50 amps recommended), you can maintain near-continuous operation, similar to the T50. Refilling the 30-liter tank takes about 45-60 seconds, keeping downtime minimal.
Key Specs Impacting Coverage:
  • Tank Capacity: 7.9 gallons (30 liters), covering 3.95 acres per tank at 2 GPA.
  • Spray Width: Estimated at 8-10 meters (26-33 feet), slightly narrower than the T50.
  • Flow Rate: While exact figures aren’t widely published, the L30’s CDA system ensures efficient application, likely around 12-15 liters per minute.
Factors That Affect Daily Acreage for Both Drones
While the T50 and L30 have impressive potential, several variables can impact how many acres you’ll actually cover in a day:
  1. Application Rate (GPA): At 2 GPA, the T50 covers 5.28 acres per tank, and the L30 covers 3.95 acres. If you increase to 3 GPA, those numbers drop to 3.52 acres and 2.63 acres per tank, respectively, meaning more frequent refills and less acreage per hour.
  2. Field Size and Shape: Both drones excel in large, uniform fields where they can fly long, straight paths. In smaller or irregular fields, frequent turns reduce efficiency. The T50’s wider 36-foot swath gives it an edge in open fields, while the L30’s slightly narrower swath makes it more agile in tighter spaces.
  3. Ground Setup Efficiency: A streamlined setup is critical. Use a trailer with a water tank, mixing station, and generator for fast battery charging. Driving to the drone on the field’s headland for refills (rather than flying back to a fixed spot) can save 30-60 seconds per cycle, adding up to hours over a 10-hour day.
  4. Operator Experience: New operators might only achieve 30 acres per hour with the T50 or 25 acres per hour with the L30 as they learn the workflow. With experience, you’ll hit the higher end of the range (40-45 acres/hour for the T50, 35-40 acres/hour for the L30). Training, like the free coaching we offer with every purchase at DroneSprayPro, can help you optimize early on.
  5. Weather and Terrain: Wind can affect spray drift, and hilly terrain may require slower speeds or higher altitudes (10-15 feet above crops) for uniform coverage. Both drones have terrain-following sensors (the T50 can handle slopes up to 20°), but complex landscapes can still reduce hourly rates.
Practical Tips to Maximize Your Daily Coverage
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your T50 or L30:
  • Optimize Flight Paths: Use the T50’s DJI RC Plus or the L30’s flight planning software to map fields and fly the longest possible paths at the fastest safe speed (up to 10 m/s for the T50). This minimizes turns and maximizes coverage.
  • Invest in Batteries and Charging: For the T50, four batteries and a 10,000-watt generator ensure near-continuous operation. For the L30, three to four batteries and a similar generator setup work well. Fast charging (9 minutes for the T50, 10-15 minutes for the L30) keeps downtime low.
  • Streamline Ground Operations: Set up an elevated landing platform to avoid tall crops, saving battery life on takeoff and landing. Keep your mixing station close to the drone’s landing spot to speed up refills.
  • Adjust Application Rates: If 2 GPA provides adequate coverage, stick with it to maximize acres per tank. Test spray patterns to ensure uniformity at lower rates, saving time and resources.
  • Consider Field Conditions: The T50’s 36-foot swath and higher capacity make it ideal for large, open fields, while the L30’s agility suits smaller or more complex fields. Choose the right drone for the job to maximize efficiency.
T50 vs. L30: Which Drone Fits Your Needs?
The DJI Agras T50 is the go-to choice for large-scale operations aiming to cover 400-450 acres per day (or up to 520 acres in ideal conditions). Its larger tank, wider swath, and faster flow rate make it a beast for vast fields. The ABZ Innovation L30, covering 350-400 acres per day, is better suited for medium-sized farms or fields with more obstacles, offering precision and agility with slightly less capacity.
Both drones deliver flight times of 7-12 minutes per battery, with fast charging and efficient ground operations allowing near-continuous use over a 10-hour day. The T50’s 500-acre potential is achievable with perfect conditions and an experienced operator, but 400-450 acres is a more realistic target for most users. The L30’s 350-400 acres per day is equally impressive for its size and versatility.
Final Thoughts: Plan for Success with DroneSprayPro
At DroneSprayPro, we’re committed to helping you maximize your spraying efficiency with the DJI Agras T50 and ABZ Innovation L30. Whether you’re aiming for 400+ acres a day with the T50 or 350-400 acres with the L30, proper planning and setup are key. Map your fields, optimize your ground operations, and take advantage of our free training to hit those higher acreage numbers.
Ready to take your agricultural spraying to the next level? Visit DroneSprayPro.com to explore the T50 and L30, and contact us to find the perfect drone for your operation. Let’s make your next spraying season the most efficient yet! Happy flying!
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