How the Spray Coverage Calculator Works
A spray drone's theoretical work rate is its swath width multiplied by its speed. Converting to hectares per hour gives:
ha/h = swath (m) × speed (m/s) × 3,600 ÷ 10,000 × field efficiency
Total liquid is the application rate times the area. Divide that by tank size to get the number of loads, and add the refill time for each load to find the full job time.
Worked Example
A 6 m swath at 5 m/s with 75 percent efficiency sprays about 8.1 ha per hour. A 20 ha field at 15 L/ha needs 300 L, which is 10 loads from a 30 L tank. Spraying takes about 2.5 hours, and 10 refills at 4 minutes add another 40 minutes, so the job takes a little over 3 hours.
Getting Accurate Results
- Measure your real effective swath with water-sensitive paper, not the brochure figure.
- Slow down in wind or on tall crops to keep coverage even.
- Have batteries charging in rotation so refills aren't held up.
- Plan flight lines across the slope on hilly ground.
Stay Safe and Legal
Aerial spraying is closely regulated. Check your permissions in the drone law checker, follow product labels and watch for drift near water and neighbouring crops. The Skysdrone agriculture drone uses radar terrain following and variable rate nozzles to help with even application. Planning to offer spraying as a service? Price it with the drone business income calculator.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hectares per hour can a spray drone cover?
It depends on swath width, speed, application rate and refill time. A drone with a 6 m swath at 5 m/s covers about 10.8 hectares per hour in theory, but refills and turns often reduce that by a third or more.
How do I calculate liquid per acre for drone spraying?
Use the application rate on the product label. Drone rates are often lower than ground rigs. Multiply the rate by the area to get total liquid, then divide by tank size for the number of loads.
Do I need a permit to spray crops with a drone?
In most countries, yes. Aerial application usually requires drone operator permissions plus pesticide application training. Always follow the product label and local law.
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