Agrinautics

What Agrinautics does

Agrinautics Inc. is a privately held manufacturer of aerial application spray-system components for the agricultural aviation industry, founded in 1958 by George Sanders in Sunnyvale, California, originally operating as Agricultural Aviation Engineering Company (AGAVENCO). The company designs and manufactures pumps (wind-driven and hydraulic), spray control valves (electrically and manually actuated), loading valves, boom directional control valves, and strainers (line and T-boom) for fixed-wing agricultural aircraft and helicopters. Its proprietary TUFFCOAT product line applies a hard-coat anodized aluminum treatment that yields tool-steel hardness with non-stick, abrasion-resistant, and corrosion-resistant properties, qualifying under MIL-A-6357A, Type I, Class I and several other aerospace/defense specifications. Supporting components include pump mounts, fittings, overhaul kits, head replacements, and brake accessories, with parts engineered for specific airframes including Air Tractor, Thrush, Ag-Cat, Cessna AgWagon, Piper Brave/Pawnee, Weatherly, and EMB-200.

The business model is B2B hardware sales through a global network of more than 30 authorized distributors covering the United States, Canada, and Australia, including agricultural aircraft OEMs Air Tractor and Thrush Aircraft, aerospace parts distributor Aviall, and regional ag-aviation specialists. Pricing is quote-based with no public list pricing; customers contact the company directly via phone or work through distributors for quotes. End customers are agricultural aviation operators and aerial applicators performing crop dusting, disease vector control, defoliation, drug eradication, and oil spill applications; the company also historically supplied the U.S. Department of Defense during the Vietnam War. Manufacturing is consolidated in a 20,000 sq. ft. facility at 1215 Airport Road, Cedar City, Utah, adjacent to the municipal airport with taxiway access. Headcount is reported at 1–10 employees, and the company is independently owned under its founding lineage with no institutional investors or parent company identified.

Name

Agrinautics

Legal name

Agrinautics, Inc.

Website

https://agrinautics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Agrinautics Inc. manufactures aerial spray-system components — pumps, valves, strainers, and proprietary TUFFCOAT hard-coat anodized parts — for agricultural aviation operators, distributing globally through a 30+ authorized distributor network across the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Aviation Equipment

NAICS

Agricultural Implement Manufacturing (33311), Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391)

SIC

Farm Machinery & Equipment (3523), Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFAAADAF

Spray Control, Rate Controllers & Nozzle Systems (Pumps, Valves, Atomizers)

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Equipment & Technology/Crop Protection Application Equipment (Sprayers, Drones, Spreaders)

SECONDARYAFAAADAG

Tank Mixing, Transfer & Chemical Handling Systems (Induction Hoppers, Loaders)

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Equipment & Technology/Crop Protection Application Equipment (Sprayers, Drones, Spreaders)

Keywords

• Aerial application equipment
• Agricultural aviation pumps
• Crop duster valves
• Hard-coat anodized parts
• Spray system strainers

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedar City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Aerospace Agricultural Equipment Sales: Design, development, and manufacture of pumps, valves, strainers, accessories, and complete spray systems for agricultural aircraft. Products include wind-driven pumps, hydraulic pumps, spray control valves (electrically and manually actuated), boom directional control valves, loading valves, strainers (line and tee), pump mounts, brake accessories, head replacements, fittings, and overhaul kits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Agrinautics designs, manufactures, and sells complete spray system components for agricultural aircraft, including wind-driven and hydraulic pumps, spray control valves (electrically and manually actuated), boom directional control valves, loading valves, line and T-boom strainers, pump mounts, fittings, brake accessories, head replacements, and overhaul kits. Products incorporate the proprietary TUFFCOAT hard-coat anodized aluminum treatment that delivers tool-steel hardness with abrasion and corrosion resistance and are backed by an 800-hour pump warranty. The offering is sold through authorized agricultural aviation distributors in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Product overview

Agrinautics is a manufacturer of agricultural aviation equipment founded in 1958, originally known as Agricultural Aviation Engineering Company (AGAVENCO). The company specializes in the design, development, and manufacture of spray systems, pumps, valves, strainers, and accessories for agricultural aircraft with an 800-hour warranty. The product portfolio centers on wind-driven and hydraulic pumps available in multiple sizes (2-inch to 3-inch), spray control valves (both electrically and manually actuated), loading valves, boom directional control valves, and strainers (line and T-boom). The company also offers the TUFFCOAT product line featuring hard-coat anodized aluminum parts with non-stick coating for enhanced durability and corrosion resistance. Supporting components include fittings, overhaul kits, pump head replacements, pump mounts, and brake accessories. Products are designed for specific aircraft models including Air Tractor, Thrush, Ag-Cat, Cessna AgWagon, Piper Brave, Pawnee, Weatherly, and others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TUFFCOAT: Hard-coat anodized aluminum parts with a non-stick outer surface treatment providing excellent continuously lubricated surface for abrasion resistance and extreme corrosion resistance. Meets MIL-A-6357A and other aerospace specifications.

Products and services

• Wind Driven Pumps Aircraft-mounted pumps driven by wind force for agricultural spray applications, available in 2-inch body mounted, 2-inch case mounted, and 2-1/2 to 3-inch high volume configurations, sold to agricultural aviation operators through authorized distributors.
• Hydraulic Pumps Hydraulically-driven pumps for agricultural aircraft spray systems, available in 2-inch body mounted and 2-inch short shaft/case mounted configurations, backed by an 800-hour warranty and sold to agricultural aviation operators through authorized distributors.
• Spray Control Valves (Electrically and Manually Actuated) Valves for controlling spray application in agricultural aircraft, available in electrically actuated (1-1/2 inch and 2-inch) and manually actuated (1-1/2 inch, 2-inch, and 2-1/2 to 3-inch) variants, sold to aerial applicators through authorized distributors.
• Loading Valves Quick positive sealing valves for loading chemical systems into aircraft, available in 2-inch, 2-1/2 inch, and 3-inch sizes with left/right hand configurations, sold to agricultural aviation operators through authorized distributors.
• Boom Directional Control Valves Manually actuated valves controlling flow direction to boom sections, allowing flow to both outlets or to left/right only, sold to agricultural aviation operators through authorized distributors.
• Line Strainers Strainers for filtering spray solution in aircraft spray systems, available in various pipe and hose connection sizes with multiple mesh options, sold to agricultural aviation operators through authorized distributors.
• T-Boom Strainers Tee strainers designed for boom applications on agricultural aircraft models including Piper Brave, Cessna AgWagon, Ag-Cat, and Dromader, sold to agricultural aviation operators through authorized distributors.
• TUFFCOAT Hard-Coat Anodized Parts (Product Line) Agrinautics' proprietary line of hard-coat anodized aluminum parts with non-stick outer surface treatment, providing a continuously lubricated surface for abrasion resistance and extreme corrosion resistance. The result is a product with tool-steel hardness and easier clean-up, meeting MIL-A-6357A, Type I, Class I; BF Goodrich 6.107; Aro Corporation PS-284; Grumman Aerospace GC 130 E; Honeywell PS 13522-1; Martin Marietta STM N805; and Allied Bendix CR 128 and ES 1364 specifications. Sold to agricultural aviation operators through authorized distributors.
• Pump and Valve Overhaul Kits Complete overhaul kits for 2-inch and 2-1/2 to 3-inch pumps (Pump Kits) and 1-1/2 inch, 2-inch, and 3-inch valves (Valve Kits), sold to agricultural aviation operators as maintenance items through authorized distributors.
• Pump Mounts Mounting assemblies for securing pumps to aircraft, including AgWagon, Air Tractor, Diablo, Standard, EMB-200, and Ag-Cat configurations, sold to agricultural aviation operators through authorized distributors.
• Brake Accessories Brake lever assemblies and cable assemblies for controlling pump operation in agricultural aircraft, sold to agricultural aviation operators through authorized distributors.
• Pump Head Replacements Replacement pump heads for various aircraft models including Thrush, Air Tractor, Ag-Cat, Brave, Pawnee, AgWagon, and CallAir, designed for quick-change replacement to reduce aircraft downtime during critical application windows, sold to agricultural aviation operators through authorized distributors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Valve remained in brand new condition after 450 hours of operation applying corrosive and abrasive chemicals (vs typical wear-out in one season)

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Air Tractor, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAir Tractor, Inc. (P.O. Box 485, Olney, TX 76374, 940-564-5616) is an authorized distributor of Agrinautics products, serving as a major agricultural aircraft manufacturer that supplies Agrinautics components to its customer base.
• AviallcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviall (P.O. Box 619048, Dallas, TX 75261-9048, 972-406-2328) is an authorized distributor of Agrinautics products, providing distribution through major aerospace parts channels.
• Field Air Ballarat Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorField Air Ballarat Ltd. (Private Bag 25, Ballarat 3351 Victoria, Australia, 61-3 5339 4222) is an international authorized distributor serving the Australian agricultural aviation market.
• Queen Bee Air SpecialtiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQueen Bee Air Specialties (136 N. Yellowstone Hwy., Rigby, ID 83442, 208-745-7654) is an authorized distributor of Agrinautics products serving the agricultural aviation industry with a testimonial noting superior quality products and willingness to drop-ship to customers.
• Thrush Aircraft, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThrush Aircraft, Inc. (300 Old Pretoria Road, Albany, GA 31721, 229-883-1440) is an authorized distributor and major agricultural aircraft manufacturer serving the industry with Agrinautics products.
• Dusters & Sprayers SupplycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDusters & Sprayers Supply (P.O. Box 766, Chickasha, OK 73023, 405-224-1201) is an authorized distributor with a 37-year relationship purchasing Agrinautics products for quality, innovation, and research.
• Johnston Aircraft ServicecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJohnston Aircraft Service (6679 Dale Fry Drive, Tulare, CA 93274, 559-686-1794) is a long-term authorized distributor with testimonial praising Agrinautics product quality with no complaints.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Micron Sprayers Ltd: Micron Sprayers manufactures rotary atomizers, spray nozzles, and aerial application spray equipment. Comparable as a specialist in chemical-application components for fixed-wing and rotary ag aircraft, the same buyer persona as Agrinautics.
• Transland LLC: Transland manufactures aerial application equipment including booms, tanks, valves, and spray systems for agricultural aircraft. It is the most direct competitive overlap to Agrinautics, addressing the same ag aviation operator buyer with similar component categories.
• AG-NAV Inc. AG-NAV produces GPS guidance, flow control, and spray system electronics for aerial applicators. Comparable because it sells mission-critical components into the same ag aviation operator customer base served by Agrinautics.
• CP Products Company: CP Products manufactures spray system components (pumps, valves, boom components, strainers) for agricultural aircraft, directly competing with Agrinautics in the ag aviation aftermarket parts market.
• Spray Equipment & Service Center: Spray Equipment & Service Center distributes and overhauls ag aviation spray components including pumps, valves, and booms. Comparable as a specialist parts and service provider for the same ag aviation customer base as Agrinautics.

Regional players

• Hardi International: Hardi is a global manufacturer of crop sprayers, pumps, valves, and booms primarily serving ground-based agricultural spraying (Europe-centric). Comparable in product category (spray system components) but focused on ground-based rather than aerial application.

Broad incumbents

• Air Tractor Inc. Air Tractor is a leading ag aircraft OEM and an authorized distributor of Agrinautics components. As a broad incumbent, it serves the same ag aviation operator market with a wider product portfolio (airframes plus integrated systems).
• John Deere (Agriculture & Turf): John Deere is the dominant broad incumbent in agricultural equipment with growing aerial-application-adjacent offerings through its precision agriculture platform. Comparable only loosely as a broad agriculture incumbent; does not directly compete in ag aviation components today.
• TeeJet Technologies: TeeJet manufactures spray nozzles, valves, controllers, and complete spray systems for agricultural and industrial spraying. Comparable as a broader incumbent in agricultural spray components with overlapping product categories (valves, spray control) to Agrinautics.
• Thrush Aircraft Inc. Thrush is a major ag aircraft OEM and also an authorized distributor of Agrinautics products. Comparable as a broad incumbent in agricultural aviation that overlaps in spray-system integration but with a much wider portfolio spanning airframes, parts, and service.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AgrinauticsInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/agrinautics

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Agrinautics