A California original meets Australian orchards, as Croplands takes the reins on one of the industry’s most trusted names in tall tree spraying.

For growers battling the age-old problem of getting spray coverage to the top of a towering almond or macadamia tree, help has just arrived from an old friend with a new address. Croplands Equipment has been appointed the exclusive Australia and New Zealand distributor for Nelson Hardie orchard sprayers — a partnership set to reshape how tall tree crop growers tackle their toughest spraying challenges.

A brand built on reputation

Nelson Hardie isn’t a newcomer chasing a trend. Manufactured in California since the 1980s, the brand has spent decades earning its stripes in orchard and tall tree applications, building a loyal following among Australian growers who need equipment tough enough for the job. Heavy-duty chassis, stainless steel tanks, and a design philosophy built around longevity have made these machines a familiar, trusted sight in demanding horticultural conditions across the country.

The distribution deal comes on the heels of another significant development: the sale of the Nelson Hardie business to Jas Thiara of MIS, a change of ownership that Croplands says marks a genuine new chapter for the globally recognised brand.

Solving the tall tree problem

Ask any grower working with almonds or macadamias about their biggest spraying headache, and coverage at height is usually near the top of the list. It’s a gap Nelson Hardie was built to fill.

Croplands now carries the full Nelson Hardie line-up, spanning Power Take Off (PTO)-driven and engine-driven models engineered for high-volume air blast spraying.

The range includes PTO units with capacities up to 5000L,alongside engine-driven machines running on John Deerediesel power — options designed specifically for a market segment where, as Croplands points out, many locally built sprayers simply can’t get adequate coverage to the canopy top.

Backing it up with support

A great machine is only as good as the support behind it, and Croplands’ commercial manager Sean Mulvaney says that’s exactly where the company is focusing its energy.

“We have committed to strong local inventory and are actively assessing regional parts locations to ensure immediate delivery, improve service support and minimise downtime for growers during critical spray windows,” Mulvaney said.

It’s not just about stocking parts, either. Croplands and Nelson Hardie are running an extensive customer engagement program across both Australia and New Zealand, using direct grower feedback to shape targeted improvements in safety, spray performance and long-term reliability. 

 “We’re working closely with growers and the Nelson Hardie team to refine these machines for local conditions, while also partnering with industry specialists to optimise spray coverage and efficiency outcomes in orchard environments,” Mulvaney said. “This is what Croplands is all about; we are confident the results will deliver benefits through enhanced performance and reduced maintenance to owners and operators.”

Timing it for spring

With critical spring spraying periods fast approaching, Croplands says a range of Nelson Hardie models are already available, and flexible equipment finance through DLL is on offer for growers looking to make the switch or expand their fleet.

Growers wanting a first-hand look won’t have to wait long. The Nelson Hardie range will front up at:

• Riverland Field Days, South Australia — 18–19 September

•Australian Almond Conference, South Australia — 21–22October, where growers can also meet new Nelson Hardieowner Jas Thiara in person

Croplands is also planning dedicated demonstration days for growers who’d rather see a Nelson Hardie unit at work in the orchard than read about it in a brochure.

The bigger picture

The move slots neatly into Croplands’ broader identity as the equipment and emerging solutions platform of Nufarm, a global crop protection and seed technologies company with more than a century of history and a head office in Melbourne. For over 50 years, Croplands has built its reputation on partnering with growers across Australia and New Zealand to deliver spraying solutions matched to local conditions — and the addition of Nelson Hardie’s tall tree expertise looks set to extend that legacy into the orchard’s highest branches.