The DJI Agras T50 is a heavy-lift agricultural spray and spread drone aimed at arable farms, orchards, vineyards and contractors. It carries a 40 litre spray tank or a 75 litre granular hopper, and in the UK it is flown by trained, authorised operators rather than bought off the shelf and used the same week. The aircraft is only part of the decision. Permissions, training, servicing and running costs matter just as much.
Key specifications
- Spray tank: 40 litres, around 40 kg of liquid
- Spreader hopper: 75 litres, up to 50 kg of granular product
- Max take-off weight: Around 92 kg spraying, 103 kg spreading
- Sensing: Phased-array radar and binocular vision for terrain following and obstacle detection
- Positioning: RTK ready for centimetre-level accuracy
- Manufacturer throughput: DJI quotes up to about 21 hectares per hour spraying in ideal conditions
Specifications are manufacturer figures and may change. Confirm current details with a UK dealer before buying.
What it is used for
The T50 is built for application work: liquid spraying through its dual atomising nozzles, and granular spreading for products such as seed, fertiliser and slug pellets. Coaxial twin rotors give it the lift to carry a full tank, which is why its loaded weight is so high.
Real output is usually well below the headline figure once you account for refilling, battery swaps, travel between fields, weather windows and the size and shape of UK fields. Treat the manufacturer throughput as a best case, not a daily average.
The UK permissions reality
At roughly 92 kg loaded, the T50 sits well outside the standard PDRA01 permission, which only covers drones up to 25 kg. To fly it commercially in the UK an operator needs a bespoke Operational Authorisation from the CAA, built on a Specific Operations Risk Assessment, on top of the General VLOS Certificate that every Specific category pilot holds.
If you intend to spray pesticides there is a second layer. Applying plant protection products by drone counts as aerial spraying, which is prohibited without a permit from the Health and Safety Executive for an approved plan. Spreading granular products and mapping are more straightforward, so be clear about which jobs you actually plan to sell before you commit to the aircraft.
Questions for a UK dealer
Ask who provides UK setup, warranty cover, repairs, spare parts and software support, and what the typical turnaround is when something fails mid-season.
Check the full battery and charging picture: how many batteries you need for a working day, replacement costs, and whether you need a generator on site to keep charging in the field.
Before you buy
Speak to a trainer, a dealer and at least one operator already running a T50 before you buy. The people doing the work will tell you what the brochure does not.
Work back from the jobs you can legally and profitably deliver in your area. The right aircraft is the one that matches that demand, not the biggest model on the page.
For the wider picture, compare equipment providers, training routes and the guide to becoming an operator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a DJI Agras T50 cost in the UK?
Pricing changes and is usually quoted per package, so confirm the current figure with a UK dealer. Budget beyond the aircraft for batteries, charging, training, insurance and servicing, which together add a meaningful amount to the headline price.
Do I need a licence to fly the DJI Agras T50?
Yes. Because it weighs far more than 25 kg loaded, you need a CAA Operational Authorisation based on a risk assessment, not just the entry-level permission. A General VLOS Certificate is the usual starting qualification.
Can the T50 spray pesticides in the UK?
Only under a permit. Pesticide application by drone is treated as aerial spraying and needs Health and Safety Executive approval for an approved plan. Many operators focus on spreading and mapping while the regulatory picture develops.
How much can a DJI Agras T50 spray per hour?
DJI quotes up to about 21 hectares per hour in ideal conditions. In typical UK fields, expect less once refilling, battery changes, travel and weather are taken into account.