a reputation for innovation
German event with
a reputation for innovation
Without a Smithfield show
this year, the Agritechnica
event in Germany is a must
for all agricultural show
goers. Geoff Ashcroft takes
a look at some of the new
equipment making its debut
AGRITECHNICA has a reputation for revealing more new products than you could possibly imagine. And so it comes as no surprise then to find that just about every machinery maker in attendance will be revealing something of interest for those of a mechanical disposition.
Finnish tractor maker Valtra will be adding to its range of slow running EcoPower tractors with a new four-cylinder machine called the 6750.
Rated power of the Valtra 6750 is 105hp at a leisurely 1800rpm, while its maximum power of 107hp is achieved at 1600rpm. With a torque back-up of 29%, the Valtra 6750 will pull back to 1100rpm before its peak torque of 530Nm is achieved.
Valtras EcoPower engines, researched and manufactured by SisuDiesel, the engine production division of Valtra, are proving fuel efficient, says the company. Compared to engines running at the more traditional speeds where rated power is achieved at around 2200rpm, the EcoPower engine offers a fuel saving of 10-15%.
Such savings have been achieved through innovative development of sophisticated turbocharging and intercooling technology.
Running at lower engine speeds also brings other advantages, says the firm. Engine and transmission losses are also reduced and operating oil temperatures are lower. As a result the Valtra EcoPower tractor can go 500hrs between oil changes.
The firm will also use Agritechnica to show its sophisticated S series of high tech tractors. Among the features of the 230hp and 260hp machines are front axle suspension, TwinTrac reverse drive option and on-board telecommunication and precision farming systems with a wireless service for data transfer.
Fendt has outlined its tractor range for Agritechnica, with revisions, updates and new models coming for the 2002 season. Spearheading the 400 Vario series will be the new 126hp Farmer 412 – a tractor capable of 50kph and offering the firms stepless transmission.
Using a front axle suspension system with automatic levelling, the 412 Farmer is said to offer a level of driver comfort that will be appreciated by those spending long hours in the cab. Further up the range, the firm has introduced the six-cylinder 818 Vario. Equipped with four-valve per cylinder technology and electronic fuel injection, the Vario 818 is yet another option for those looking for a 180hp tractor.
John Deere will be showing its 2002 series of tractors including the 6020, 8020 and 9020 ranges, plus new sprayers, combines and balers. Deere will also show its new 3700 compact pivot steer handler, offering a 2t lift capacity to a height of 4.7m. It joins the firms larger 3800 model.
Those interested in the latest telescopic handler developments at the show should look out for a New Holland prototype of its latest LM telehandler series, which is said to include a pto. Italian maker Merlo will be showing its Multi Farmer, while Bobcat will have examples of its range on display.
Bobcat will also show its latest skid steer, the T190 model, which is shod on rubber tracks. With 320mm-wide tracks, the compact loader offers a low ground pressure of 350g/sq cm. The T190 measures 1.7m wide and is equipped with a vertical path lift arm for generous lift height and reach statistics – its rated operating capacity is 860kg.
Walking past the Claas stand, keep an eye out for the companys latest self-propelled mower – the Jaguar 8700. The Claas triple mower is the latest machine to join the self-propelled mower set, which includes the Vicon Red Bull and Krone Big M.
Implement maker Kuhn is using the event to launch a range of new kit, including cultivation equipment, drills and grass machinery.
Kuhn will be launching a new generation of minimum cultivation drills, called the Fastliner. Built as a modular machine, the Fastliner uses seeding technology from the Venta drill range and allows growers to specify the combination of drilling and cultivation elements according to farming practices.
Growers can choose from a Rapid drilling version, which uses levelling tines, consolidation with tyres or maxipacker roller and drilling with double disc coulters on a parallelogram arm.
In minimal cultivation guise, the Fastliner offers levelling tines and cultivation with waved discs, followed by consolidation with tyres or maxipacker roller and drilling with double disc coulters on a parallelogram arm. Working widths include 3m, 4m and 6m models.
The French maker is also adding to its range of power tillers with the EL142 models, said to be intended for large-scale farming and contracting, designed for tractors up to 140hp.
Available in widths of 2.5-3m, EL142 power tillers are equipped as standard with a Duplex gearbox with two sets of interchangeable gears and a rear pto stub.
Among the new products being shown on the Kverneland Group stand are the recently launched Taarup Bale-In-One baler/wrapper, plus the latest in Andex rake developments from the Vicon stable.
Krone will increase its range of rotary rakes at Agritechnica with the Swadro 8.81 – a double rotor model with an adjustable working width from 7.8-8.8m.
A feature of the rake is its ability to cope with the contours of the field and the Swadro achieves this by supporting each rotor with a caster-type tandem axle. It is an arrangement that allows both rotors to float on their central chassis frame.
Each rotor is fitted with 13 tine arms, with the inner group of four double tines angled in to ensure clean collection of grass at high forward speeds, says Krone. Also, working width and raking height can be adjusted electronically from the tractor cab. *
Rolling in from Kverneland will be the Taarup Bale-in-One (Bio) baler wrapper.
John Deere will display its latest 6020, 8020 and 9020 tractor series in addition to other new machinery.
Krone will take the opportunity to show its Swadro 8.81 double rotor rake, in addition to a raft of other products at the event .
Fendt will use Agritechnica to reveal a number of updates and refinements to its Vario tractor and combine ranges.
AGRITECHNICA 2001
• Dates: Nov 13-17.
• Venue: Exhibition Grounds, Hanover.
• Opening times: 9am to 6pm.
• Admission: Day ticket £15.34 (30DM).
About the event
Agritechnica 2001 – Europes largest indoor agricultural machinery event – takes place in Hanover, Germany from Nov 13-17.
It will provide an opportunity for farmers from all over Europe – and beyond – to assess the latest developments in the machinery industry.
Held in the spacious halls at Hanovers Exhibition Grounds, the event boasts over 1500 exhibitors including, say the organisers, all machinery market leaders.
One of the highlights of this years event will be the theme Soil Protection – Technology Yield with an area set up in Hall 8 where specialist companies will offer advice and recommend systems to help protect soil structure and maximise yields and profits.
Organic farmers will also find Agritechnica worth a visit. The event is exhibiting a range of equipment aimed at this growing market sector. These will include machines for mechanical and thermal weed control as well as those for specialist organic crop production. The latest information on all aspects of organic farming will also be on offer.
It all adds up to an important event – an event which should have appeal to all in the this industry.
How to get there
• By air: For visitors arriving at Hanover-Langenhagen airport there is an Agritechnica-Shuttle (City-Air-Terminal, Line 69) which runs directly to the Exhibition Grounds, Entrance Nord 2, every 30 minutes between 8am and 11.30am and returns to the airport between 3.30pm and 7pm.
• By car: Hanover is served by the A2, A7, A37 and A352 motorways. The exhibition is well sign posted within Hanover and there are ample parking spaces.
• By rail: From Hanover Central Station take the urban rail line 8 (runs every 10 minutes) to the Exhibition Grounds, Entrance Nord 1 and Nord 2.
Further travel information is available from DLG, Tel: 00 49 69 2478 8265; E-mail: expo@DLG-Frankfurt.de; www.agritechnica.com