Agritechnica 2017 with Bellota

Agritechnica is the most important trade show of the agricultural sector, in not only Europe, but also worldwide, due to the 23 exhibition halls and more than 2900 exhibitors from over 50 countries.

In Hall 11, in the Soil working section, among the main farm equipment manufacturers, it was located Bellota, the Spanish spare part manufacturer, that now belongs to the Agrisolutions group.

In Agritechnica, Bellota presented different new products, from which we can underline:

• VT-REX disc with extra sharp edge. This especial edge is ideal for high residue to achieve the very best cut and slice into the ground.
• New double reinforced points. The double reinforced point guarantees not only that the piece will last longer, but also that the working angle is maintained so that the point can always penetrate the soil properly, thus minimum effort is required to till the land.
• Disc Hangers. Speed harrows are more and more, present in the market, since the average speed is higher than the traditional disc harrows. Bellota offers all the range, from the disc hanger to the hub and disc to build these machines.

Within the Bellota group, Agrisolutions, there were also present the specialty discs from Ingersoll, manufactured in Canada and Solbjerg tines, a Danish brand specialized in S tines.

Agrisolutions group also announced at the Agritechnica Show to all its clients that they have invested more than 5 Million $ in a new manufacturing plant in tines, totally automatized and with the capability to manufacture different steels and new geometries to adapt to the new tendencies of the market. This new manufacturing line will be fully operating since spring 2018.

Versión en español.

Our friend Timo, who visited Agritechnica, sent us several pictures. He attended the fair two days so he could only visit halls of tractors and combines. Herein, he stands out the main aspects from the fair:

• Completely new Fendt/MF Ideal combines.
• Claas Cemos Auto-threshing.
• Challenger track tractors and implements are now Fendt.
• Claas Axion and Jaguar Terra Trac.
• Kuhn section control by GPS.
• Fendt e100.

Independent suspension: A differentiating feature

In FIMA 2016, the Same Frutteto3 ActiveDrive was launched in Spain. This tractor has the new double wishbone suspension system in front axle like similar suspension system used in high power tractors. When our friends Pere and Lina sent us a few pictures of their Same Frutteto3 ActiveDrive and farm (vineyards, olive trees and cereals) in Castellví de la Marca (Barcelona), we decided to publish a post about this fantastic narrow tractor and specially about this new double  wishbone  suspension  system.  The new design, developed by SDF R&D Center and installed on SAME Frutteto3 tractors, tries to improve user’s vital aspects such as security, comfort and  maneuverability. Pere and Lina told us that this suspension system greatly improves the tractor behavior of both: on the road and in the field. They are very proud of their Same Frutteto3  ActiveDrive. And even, they are thinking of buying another one.

In Spain, the narrow tractor market is really important, so Same wants to offer a differentiating product. This type of specialist tractor needs to maintain its smallest height in order to work on orchard, reduced track in order to work on vineyards, and also needs maximum maneuverability without losing its stability.

A suspended live axle (solid or beam axle) is the most employed solution for this market segment, but it’s not perfect. This solution excessively raises the vehicle’s height, losing the advantages it had for orchard customers and stability on high slope terrains due to the rising of its center of gravity. Independent suspension system has the advantage of not having to raise the tractor’s hood, improving therefore stability since it maintains or even lowers the center of gravity, comparing it to solid axle systems. In addition, makes it easier for the wheels to take bigger turning angles (60º), without the tractor’s body or hood interfering.

Making independent each side of the front axle, makes the difference on comparing this suspension system to any other in the market. It’s the first time this suspension system is assembled on a small tractor, usually fitted on high power tractors; this system gives big advantages due to its principal functions:

• Automatic tractor’s level control
• Electronic bump and rebound control
• Traction control

The suspension system of Same Frutteto3 ActiveDrive is composed of:

• Suspension’s mechanical components: Each wheel’s suspension system, is built up with two wishbone (upper and lower), and a hydro-pneumatic actuator bumper.
• Suspension’s electronic components: the electronic system will gather information from different sensors, such as: wheel speed, wheel steering angle, stroke, brake pedal pressure, and suspension’s activation button.

ActiveDrive suspension system’s three main functions:

• Tractor’s leveling system: Independent suspension design lets the tractor absorb bigger irregularities, transmitting less effort to the tractor’s structure. In addition, the suspension’s characteristics make it possible for both wheels to work maintaining total contact with the ground and gives a better response on irregularities. It absorbs efforts in case of abrupt braking, and prevent from excessive nodding off.
• Traction control: Thanks to the intelligent connection with the differential blocking, it’s possible for the system to recover traction totally when the system detects that one of the wheels has lost grip (speed and wheel spin sensors).
• Bumpers control: the tractor’s electronic system analyzes every parameter in order to manage in the best way the suspension, on every possible scenario and the system will make an adaptable damping to avoid “rebound” effects.

Versión en español.

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