From T60 to T100: Unlocking the Future of Agricultural Drones with DJI!

The Future of Agricultural Aviation: A Comprehensive Guide to the DJI Agras T60 and Beyond

The agricultural drone landscape is evolving at a breakneck pace. For years, the DJI Agras series has set the gold standard for precision agriculture, aerial spraying, and spreading. As the industry moves past the widely acclaimed T40 and T50 models, the focus has shifted to the next generation of heavy-lift agricultural UAVs: the DJI Agras T60 and the conceptual, massive T100.

This guide serves as a definitive resource for commercial applicators, large-scale farmers, and ag-tech investors looking to understand the capabilities, costs, and operational realities of these cutting-edge machines. We will explore the leap in technology represented by the T60, speculate on the future T100, and answer critical questions regarding payload, pricing, and performance.

The Evolution of the Agras Line: From T10 to T60

To understand where the technology is going, we must briefly look at where it has been. The DJI Agras series began as a niche tool for small-plot spraying but has rapidly scaled into a viable alternative to ground tractors and traditional crop dusters.

The journey began with the MG-1 series, capable of carrying only 10 liters. The T16 and T20 followed, introducing swappable tanks and improved radar. The T30 brought systemic reliability and a 30-liter tank, becoming the first true “workhorse” for many Western farmers. The T40 introduced the coaxial twin-rotor design that revolutionized lift capacity, allowing for a smaller footprint with heavier lifting power. The T50 refined these systems with better obstacle avoidance, a smoother powertrain, and advanced phased-array radar.

Now, the T60 represents the next massive leap in capacity and propulsion efficiency, solidifying drones as a primary tool for broad-acre application. With this evolutionary context in mind, the T60 builds directly on the T50’s innovations—starting with its enhanced payload.

Why the Shift to Larger Drones?

The demand for models like the T60 and the future T100 is driven by a single metric: “acres per hour.” In commercial application, time is money. A drone that carries 20 liters requires frequent refilling and battery swaps, leading to substantial downtime on the ground. A drone that carries 50 or 60 liters stays in the air longer, covers more hectares per flight, and drastically reduces the logistical friction associated with “pit stops.”

This trend culminates in the T60’s design, which prioritizes throughput volume above all else. We will now explore this machine in detail.

Deep Dive: The DJI Agras T60

The DJI Agras T60 is the current titan of the agricultural skies in markets where it has been released. It pushes the boundaries of what electric multi-rotors can achieve in terms of lift, spray width, and software integration.

What is the payload of the DJI Agras T60?

This is the most common question for prospective buyers comparing models. The DJI Agras T60 boasts a spraying payload of 50 kg (approximately 50 liters) and a spreading payload of 60 kg.

This distinction between liquid and dry payload is crucial for operational planning. While liquid density is generally consistent (roughly 1kg per liter for water-based mixes), dry granules (fertilizer, seeds, bait) vary in bulk density. The T60’s reinforced frame and powerful propulsion system allow it to lift 60kg of dry matter. This 20% increase over the liquid capacity makes it an exceptionally efficient spreader for high-volume jobs like rice seeding or urea application, where hopper capacity often bottlenecks productivity.

Payload Evolution Comparison:

Propulsion and Power Systems

To lift these heavy loads, the T60 utilizes a high-torque, heavy-lift motor system. Unlike smaller drones that rely on high RPMs to generate lift, the T60 uses larger propellers—often exceeding 56 inches—to generate massive thrust with greater electrical efficiency. These low-kV motors are designed to handle the intense heat and stress of carrying 60kg loads continuously throughout a hot summer day without overheating.

The battery system is the heart of this beast. The T60 utilizes the DB1560 Intelligent Flight Battery (or its regional equivalent). This battery features:

• Heat Dissipation: Enhanced internal cooling channels to allow immediate charging after flight.
• Cycle Life: Rated for 1,500 charging cycles, reducing long-term operational costs.
• Kapazität: 30,000 mAh, providing the immense amperage required for takeoff with a full tank.

Real-World Performance Metrics

Specs on paper are one thing; field performance is another. In optimal conditions, the T60 achieves a spraying speed of up to 13.8 meters per second (approx 30 mph). Combined with a spray width of up to 11 meters (depending on flight height), the T60 can cover up to 50 acres per hour in open field scenarios. This puts it in direct competition with small ground spray rigs, but with the advantage of zero soil compaction.

T60 Software Features: The Brain Behind the Brawn

The hardware improvements are significant, but the T60’s integration with DJI’s SmartFarm platform and advanced AI route planning sets it apart. The T60 utilizes a new generation of onboard computing to optimize flight paths in real-time.

• AI Route Optimization: The T60 doesn’t just fly straight lines. It calculates the most efficient turn points to minimize battery usage during non-spraying maneuvers.
• SmartFarm Integration: Data from the T60 uploads directly to the cloud, allowing fleet managers to track hectares sprayed, battery health, and chemical usage remotely. This is critical for billing and regulatory compliance.
• Orchard 4.0 Mode: Using 3D point cloud data, the T60 can navigate complex tree canopies with higher precision than the T50, adjusting spray angles to target the underside of leaves where pests often hide.

Pricing and Investment Analysis

For fleet managers and independent operators, the cost of entry is the primary barrier. Understanding the economics of these machines is vital for calculating ROI.

How much is the DJI T60?

Pricing for the DJI Agras T60 varies significantly by region due to import tariffs, dealer support packages, and included accessories. As of late 2023 and early 2024 listings from major agricultural drone dealers:

Note: Prices fluctuate based on supply chain variables. Always contact a local DJI Agriculture dealer for a precise quote.

How much does the DJI Agras T50 cost?

To contextualize the T60’s price, we look at its predecessor, which remains a very viable option. The DJI Agras T50 typically retails between $24,000 and $29,000 USD for a full combo kit.

The price difference (roughly $6,000–$8,000) is often justified by the increased payload. If the T60 allows you to spray an extra 10 acres per hour, the revenue generated from that efficiency can close the price gap within a single busy spraying season.

The Horizon: The DJI Agras T100 Concept

While the T60 is a reality, the T100 represents the theoretical ceiling of current electric drone technology. Industry insiders and ag-tech engineers are currently debating the feasibility of a 100kg payload drone.

The Engineering Challenges of a T100

Moving from 60kg to 100kg is not a linear progression; it is exponential.

1. Battery Density Wall: To lift 100kg of liquid, plus a heavy airframe, the battery would need to be massive. Current Lithium-Polymer (LiPo) technology hits a point of diminishing returns where the battery becomes so heavy it consumes the lift capacity meant for the payload. A T100 might require hydrogen fuel cells or hybrid gas-electric generators to be viable.
2. Regulatory Hurdles: In many countries (like the US under FAA Part 137), drones over 55 lbs (25 kg) face strict regulations. Drones approaching the size of a T100 would likely face aviation scrutiny similar to manned aircraft, potentially limiting their adoption to only the largest corporate farms.
3. Logistics: A T60 is already difficult to transport, requiring a trailer or a large truck bed and a generator crane. A T100 would be nearly impossible for a two-person crew to manually handle, requiring forklifts and specialized transport vehicles, defeating the “nimble” advantage of drones.

However, if DJI releases a T100, it will likely target massive plantation operations (sugar cane, forestry, bananas) where the drone stays on-site permanently and does not require frequent road transport.

Operational Capabilities: What is the DJI Agras used for?

The Agras series is not just a sprayer; it is a multi-role agricultural robot. Whether you are operating a T50, T60, or a future T100, the use cases remain diverse and critical for modern farming.

1. Precision Spraying (Crop Protection)

This is the primary function. The Agras utilizes magnetic drive impeller pumps and centrifugal atomizers to create specific droplet sizes.

• Variable Rate Application (VRA): The drone changes flow rate based on speed and prescription maps loaded into the controller.
• Orchard Mode: Using radar to sense the canopy of fruit trees, the drone sprays only the tree foliage and skips the gaps, saving up to 30% on chemical costs.
• Spot Spraying: Targeting specific weed patches (like thistles in a pasture) rather than blanket spraying the whole field, reducing chemical load on the environment.

2. Spreading (Solid Inputs)

The spreading system (Agras Spreading System 3.0/4.0) swaps out the liquid tank for a hopper.

• Fertilizer: Spreading Urea or DAP on corn, wheat, or rice. The T60’s 60kg capacity is particularly useful here, as fertilizer rates are high (e.g., 100kg/hectare).
• Cover Crops: Overseeding clover, rye, or radishes into standing crops before harvest to improve soil health.
• Aquaculture: Feeding fish or shrimp in large ponds by broadcasting feed pellets evenly across the water surface.

3. Mapping and Surveying

While not a dedicated survey drone like the Mavic 3 Multispectral, the T60 includes high-resolution FPV cameras on a gimbal. It can perform field boundary mapping and obstacle identification, creating a 3D route for itself to fly safely. This “fly to map” capability allows operators to map a field and spray it immediately without switching drones.

Flight Performance and Efficiency

The efficiency of an agricultural drone is measured by the ratio of flight time to charging time.

How long is the flight time for the DJI Agras?

Flight time is heavily dependent on payload weight and environmental factors (wind, altitude, temperature).

• Hovering (Empty): A T60 can hover for approximately 18 to 22 minutes on a fully charged battery.
• Full Payload (Spraying): When fully loaded with 50kg of liquid, the flight time drops drastically to 8 to 12 minutes.

While 10 minutes sounds short to the uninitiated, the T60 sprays at a high flow rate (up to 18-20 liters per minute). It empties its tank before the battery dies. The operational workflow is seamless:

1. Take off with full tank.
2. Spray for 7-9 minutes (tank empties).
3. Return to home (RTH).
4. Swap battery and refill tank (2 minutes).
5. Resume mission at the exact break point.

Because the T60 charger (D12000iE or similar) can charge a battery in 9-12 minutes, a crew with just 3 batteries can operate continuously all day without stopping.

Comparison Table: T50 vs. T60 vs. T100 (Projected)

Technology Breakdown: The “Brain” of the T60

The brute strength of the T60 is impressive, but its intelligence is what makes it a viable farming tool rather than just a remote-controlled helicopter.

Obstacle Avoidance and Terrain Following

The T60 employs a sophisticated Active Phased Array Radar combined with binocular vision sensors. This allows the drone to see “in 3D.”

• Terrain Following: It maintains a consistent height above the crop (e.g., 3 meters), even on steep hills (up to 50-degree slopes). This ensures the spray swath width remains consistent, preventing striping or missed spots.
• Obstacle Bypass: It can detect thin wires, tree branches, and utility poles from 50 meters away, autonomously planning a route around or over them without pilot intervention.

Signal Stability: O3 Transmission

Operating in rural areas often means dealing with interference or trees blocking the signal between the remote controller and the drone. The T60 uses DJI’s O3 Enterprise transmission, which provides a range of up to 2km in complex environments. For larger farms, the T60 supports the DJI Relay Module, allowing the drone to fly behind hills or dense treelines without losing connection, effectively doubling the operational range.

Is Bigger Always Better? The Case Against the T100

While the T60 is an engineering marvel, there is a valid debate regarding the T100 size class. Bigger is not always better in aviation.

1. Soil Compaction vs. Downwash Damage
Tractors compact soil, which hurts yield. Drones solve this. However, a drone the size of a T100 produces hurricane-force downdraft. For mature crops (like corn or wheat late in the season), this wind pressure can physically damage the plants or cause lodging (flattening of the crop), negating the benefits of aerial application.

2. The Swarm vs. The Giant
Many operators argue that two T50s are better than one T100.

• Redundancy: If one T50 crashes or needs maintenance, you still have 50% of your fleet capacity. If your single T100 crashes, your operation is at 0% capacity.
• Agility: Two smaller drones can spray irregular-shaped fields with obstacles faster than one large drone that struggles to make tight turns and accelerate/decelerate its massive mass.

Regulatory Landscape for Heavy-Lift Drones

Owning a T60 or future T100 requires navigating a complex legal web.

United States (FAA):
Flying a drone over 55lbs requires a specific exemption (44807 exemption) in addition to the Part 137 certificate for aerial application. As drones get heavier (approaching the T100 class), the FAA may require more stringent airworthiness certifications that closely mimic manned aviation standards, increasing the paperwork burden significantly.

Europe (EASA):
EASA regulations categorize drones by risk. A T60 falls into the “Specific” category, requiring operational authorization (SORA). The risk assessment for a 100kg drone flying over fields near roads or houses is significantly higher than for smaller units, potentially restricting where these giants can fly.

Maintenance and Durability

Agricultural environments are harsh. Dust, fertilizer corrosion, moisture, and heat are constant enemies.

The T60 features IPX6K protection ratings on critical components. The avionics boards are potted (sealed in resin) to prevent corrosion. However, maintenance is critical for longevity:

• Daily: Flush pumps and lines with fresh water to prevent crystallization of chemicals.
• Weekly: Check propeller pivots and arm locks for stress cracks caused by vibration.
• Monthly: Deep clean motors and inspect ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) cooling fins to ensure heat dissipation.

The T100, if produced, would likely require hydraulic components or more robust mechanical servos to manage the sheer weight of the control surfaces, adding to the maintenance complexity and cost.

Conclusion: Which Agras is Right for You?

The DJI Agras T60 represents the pinnacle of current agricultural drone technology. It offers the perfect balance of payload capacity, battery efficiency, and transportability. It is the ideal machine for commercial applicators charging by the acre who need maximum throughput to remain profitable.

The T100 remains a tantalizing concept for the future—a true “aerial tractor.” However, until battery technology makes another quantum leap, the T60 and T50 remain the most pragmatic choices for 95% of farmers and applicators.

Key Takeaways:

• Choose the T50: If you have smaller, irregular fields, hilly terrain, or are just starting your drone spraying business.
• Choose the T60: If you operate on broad-acre crops (corn, soy, wheat, rice) and need to maximize daily acreage to meet client demand.
• Wait for the T100: Only if you manage massive, contiguous plantations and have the infrastructure to handle heavy logistics.

As we look toward 2025 and beyond, the question isn’t just “how much can it lift?” but “how intelligently can it farm?” The DJI Agras series continues to answer both with resounding innovation.