Aerial Advantages

It’s easy to think of drones as technology for the future, as just a novelty. However, as farms scale up in size and labor shortages continue, ag drones are becoming a necessity by offering reliability, efficiency, smaller costs and easier decision making.

Drones can access tougher terrain, reduce chemical waste and adapt to field changes while filling the gaps we continue to find in application methods. There are drone options for every operation, from small-acre farms to custom applications.

This spotlight explores some of the most advanced and versatile ag drones on the market. 

XAG P150 2024

The XAG P150 is a multi-function agricultural drone designed for large-scale operations, capable of spraying, spreading, transporting materials and aerial mapping. With a maximum payload of 154 pounds, the drone features an 18.5-gallon spray tank and a 30.4-gallon spreading tank. 

The spraying system delivers up to 7.9 gallons per minute using centrifugal nozzles for uniform application across fields and orchards. For granular materials, the RevoCast spreader system can dispense up to 617 pounds per minute and supports fertilizing, seeding and feeding. The P150’s transport mode enables movement of supplies over challenging terrain, while its RealTerra system produces 3D field maps from high-resolution aerial images.

The onboard SuperX 5 Pro control system supports autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance and terrain sensing without relying on pre-mapped data. Additional components include a smart battery system with rapid charging and extended cycle life, along with multiple control modes for fully automated or manual operation.

EAVision J100 Base Package

The EAVision J100 is an agricultural drone equipped with lidar technology for obstacle avoidance and terrain following, setting it apart in field applications.

It features a standard 45-liter spray tank with a 36-foot swath, capable of covering up to 60 acres per hour at 2 gallons per acre. The drone’s third-generation nozzles provide adjustable droplet sizes ranging from 10 to 620 microns, supporting various crop spraying needs. Its propulsion system provides strong thrust and agility, enabling efficient navigation of complex terrain. The J100 features a 110-pound spreader equipped with sensors and an agitator, enabling consistent material distribution of up to 243 pounds per minute.

A modular battery system supports rapid charging and is designed for durability in high temperatures. The drone also supports sling loading up to 132 pounds for transport tasks. Equipped with a high-definition first-person view camera, the J100 offers fast aerial mapping with stitching of up to 50 acres in five minutes, helping farmers make timely crop management decisions.

ARES HYL-150

Built in Richmond, Texas, the Hylio ARES HYL-150 is a U.S.-manufactured ag drone equipped for high-volume aerial applications. Designed for both liquid and granular treatments, the system can handle up to 13 gallons or 20 gallons of payload, respectively, and cover as much as 70 acres per hour with liquid applications.

The ARES features a 40-foot swath width and supports multiple nozzle types for different tasks. It can operate autonomously or can be manually controlled, with real-time data monitoring and storage through Hylio’s proprietary GroundLink controller.

Radar-based obstacle avoidance and optional RTK GPS offer added precision and safety. Modular components and a serviceable build make it suitable for demanding fieldwork. The drone's onboard sensors and AgroSol software enable full-rate control and mission planning, whether flying solo or as part of a drone swarm. The system is National Defense Authorization Act-compliant and ready for commercial or government use.

eBee AG

The eBee Ag from senseFly is a fixed-wing drone designed for crop mapping and aerial scouting. With up to 55 minutes of flight time using an endurance battery, the drone can cover nearly 400 acres in a single flight. This extended range allows for efficient field monitoring with fewer takeoffs and landings. 

The system captures high-resolution aerial imagery to help identify crop health patterns and guide in-season decision-making. Flight paths are created using eMotion software, and once deployed, the drone operates autonomously from launch to landing. Data collected is compatible with major farm management platforms and precision ag tools, making integration with existing systems straightforward. 

Its streamlined workflow helps producers reduce time spent on manual scouting and better allocate labor and resources. Designed for both in-field and remote operation, the eBee Ag supports timely insights into plant health and crop performance across a wide range of farming operations.

Z20

The Z20 is a quadcopter drone built for solo agricultural operations, with a compact frame designed for transport between fields. It supports both spraying and spreading functions, switching easily between tasks.

The 20-liter spray tank delivers up to 15 liters per minute using a centrifugal nozzle system that provides adjustable angles and fine atomization. The spreading system includes a 30-liter tank with a centrifugal spinner capable of 360-degree coverage at speeds up to 13.8 meters per second. The drone features a modular flight control system and separate motor/Electronic Stability Control components for easier diagnostics and repairs.

A 7-inch touchscreen remote, paired with the manufacturer’s 3.0 app, enables real-time control and customization. Built from die-forged aluminum with waterproof and impact-resistant features, the Z20 is engineered for durability in tough field conditions.Its maximum takeoff weight is 51.5 kilograms, with up to 17 minutes of flight time when unloaded and eight minutes under full load.

T60X

The Talos T60X is a high-performance agricultural drone built for efficient spraying and spreading over large acreages. It features a 50-liter spray tank, upgradeable to 60 liters and can cover up to 70 acres per hour, with a maximum swath width of 36 feet. The spraying system delivers up to 7.4 gallons per minute using four nozzles, with adjustable droplet sizes from 20 to 320 microns for improved application accuracy.

For granular use, the T60X includes an 80-liter spreader tank with a 132-pound payload and a 26-foot swath width. Three auger conveyors support smooth, even material distribution. The drone is equipped with a tri-camera navigation system and low-light, full-color First-Person View for enhanced obstacle detection and safe operation in varied conditions.

Additional features include automated one-click takeoff, single-side spraying, multi-field routing and terrain-following return. The T60X supports both open field and orchard applications through 3D waypoint-adjusted flight paths.