Hail Net Cleaning with the XAG P150 Max Agricultural Drone

Overview

In Tairāwhiti, New Zealand, the Droneworx team put the XAG P150 Max to work on a specialised hail net cleaning operation, treating moss, mould and lichen across an orchard block.

With clear skies and calm conditions, the drone applied treatment at 600 L/ha and achieved excellent coverage across the entire block. The operation shows how agricultural drones can support not only crop spraying, but also practical maintenance tasks in orchard and horticultural environments.

For growers and contractors, jobs like hail net cleaning can be difficult to manage with manual labour or ground-based equipment. By using drone-based aerial application, the team was able to complete the task efficiently while delivering consistent coverage across the target area.

The Challenge

Hail nets play an important role in protecting orchard crops from damage, but over time they can collect moss, mould and lichen. If left untreated, this build-up can affect the cleanliness and performance of the netting system.

Treating hail nets manually can be time-consuming and labour-intensive, especially across larger orchard blocks. Ground-based spraying may also struggle to reach the target area evenly, depending on the block layout, net height and access conditions.

For this operation, the goal was to apply treatment across the hail net structure with strong coverage, while keeping the job efficient, safe and practical for the team on site.

The Solution

The XAG P150 Max agricultural drone was used to carry out aerial spraying over the hail nets.

By applying treatment from above, the drone was able to reach the target area more directly and deliver consistent coverage across the block. This made the operation more efficient compared with traditional manual or ground-based methods.

At an application rate of 600 L/ha, the P150 Max supported the high-volume spraying required for this specialised cleaning task. The operation also demonstrated the flexibility of agricultural drone technology in horticultural environments, where jobs often require precision, coverage and adaptability.

Why the XAG P150 Max Was a Strong Fit

The P150 Max is designed for high-output agricultural spraying, making it well suited to demanding horticultural and orchard applications.

For this hail net cleaning operation, several features were especially relevant:

• 80 L smart liquid tank for high-volume application
• Powerful spraying system with up to 32 L/min max flow rate
• 5–10 m spraying width to support efficient coverage
• Adjustable 60–500 μm droplet size range for different spraying needs
• Strong downdraft to support coverage and penetration
• Optional four-nozzle kit delivering up to 46 L/min for higher-output orchard spraying applications.

For tasks such as hail net cleaning, where coverage and access are key challenges, the P150 Max provides a practical aerial solution that helps operators work more efficiently across the block.

Key Benefits

This hail net cleaning operation showed how the XAG P150 Max can support specialised horticultural spraying tasks where access, coverage and efficiency are critical.

Better Access from Above

By spraying from the air, the P150 Max helped treat hail nets across the orchard block without relying heavily on manual access or ground-based equipment.

Consistent Application Across the Block

The drone delivered treatment across the target area with excellent coverage, helping support a more even result across the hail net structure.

Practical for Orchard Maintenance

Beyond standard crop spraying, this operation demonstrated how agricultural drones can assist with maintenance jobs such as treating moss, mould and lichen on hail nets.

Improved Job Efficiency

For growers and contractors, drone-based application can help reduce labour pressure and make specialised spraying tasks more manageable across larger blocks.

Conclusion

This hail net cleaning operation in Tairāwhiti is a strong example of how the XAG P150 Max agricultural drone can support real-world orchard maintenance. By combining high-volume spraying capability, strong aerial coverage and flexible operation, the P150 Max helped make a challenging job more efficient and manageable.

For growers and contractors looking to improve spraying efficiency across orchards, nurseries and horticultural blocks, the XAG P150 Max provides a powerful platform built for modern agricultural operations.

Explore the XAG P150 Max

From spraying and spreading to mapping and logistics, the XAG P150 Max is built to handle a wide range of agricultural and horticultural operations. View the full specs, book a free demo, or contact our team to discuss the right setup for your orchard, nursery or maintenance spraying needs.