Competition is strong for those coveted medals
Competition is strong for those coveted medals
LIKE several other major agricultural events, Sima provides an opportunity for machinery manufacturers wares to be judged for their degree of innovation.
With gold, silver, honourable mentions and commendations on offer, more than a few companies have made their way into the rolls of honour for this years event.
Included in the prestigious gold medal awards are Agco, Kuhn, Renault and Same Deutz Fahr. Agco receives its for the integrated control system for tractor mounted implements which is available for Fendt 700 and 900 Series tractors, while Kuhn gets gold for a fertiliser spreader having hydraulic drive to its discs. This latter system enables the torque requirement of each disc to be monitored and, as a result, the volume of fertiliser being spread to be known.
Same Deutz Fahrs revolutionary self-levelling cab comes up trumps and wins gold, as does Renault for its universal control unit for tractor implements such as hedgetrimmers and front end loaders. This avoids having to install individual control systems for each implement type.
Moving on to the silver medal winners, Claas figures with developments for its maize harvester and Kverneland for the companys combined baler/wrapper unit. Renault also makes it into the silver medal league with an automatic steering system for tractors.
Among the "Honourable Mentions", both Lemken and Pottinger are commended for their development of systems for the automatic control of hydraulic functions on ploughs.
Commendations made by judges of the Sima Innovations Award included those made to New Holland for its power shift control which, among other functions, allows automatic management of ratios in respect of engine loads and ground speeds.
RDS also receives a commendation for the DGPS guidance system which enables a tractor to be driven parallel to the previous pass for more accurate fertiliser or spray applications.
With front axle suspension so much in vogue, no surprise that they should feature in the awards line-up. Both Valtra-Valmet and Renault join the commendations list on this score – each for their own particular design.
SDFs self-levelling cab system took gold in the competition.
Gold medal award for the integrated control system for Fendt tractors.