This article deals with the commercial vehicle sector in terms of CO₂ reduction, the technological drivers in the future for the powertrain and looks at modern semiconductor components based on Silicon Carbide (SiC), which enable the smaller, more efficient, and more power converters. Even more than for passenger cars, no uniform scenario will prevail in this sector due to the different drive architectures.

Advantages and challenges of electric motors in commercial vehicles

The targets emission standards formulated in many parts of the world for the reduction of greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions in transportation have ensured that electric drives have come to the fore. In addition to passenger cars, an increasing number of commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses, vans, or agricultural and construction vehicles are also being powered electrically. This makes them more environmentally friendly, quieter, and more efficient than their predecessors with combustion engines. Electrified commercial vehicles are also attractive to owners and operators, in terms of cost of ownership, maintenance and malfunction. This results in higher productivity and better return on investment.

A major advantage of the electric motor is its high efficiency. With a combustion engine, efficiency varies hugely, particularly when under variable or partial loads. In extreme cases, this can drop to 15 percent or less. An electric motor’s efficiency is not dependent on its operating point. Under the same operating conditions, the electric motors and inverters that make up an electric drive system will achieve much higher levels of efficiency. At their best, electric drive trains can achieve in excess of 80 percent efficiency. This is only possible because the power electronic section itself can reach efficiency levels of up to 85 percent.

Important factors to consider when designing or selecting an inverter include power density, reliability, robustness, efficiency, and security. Additionally, and particularly in the commercial sector, the long-term effect that harsh operating conditions may have on total life expectancy must also be taken into account. Generally speaking, the conditions are much more challenging than those faced by passenger cars. Developing inverters
according to these criteria requires deep application knowledge, as well as a semiconductor portfolio that covers power and driver modules, sensors, and microcontrollers.

Silicon Carbide (SiC) – new opportunities for the commercial vehicle industry

Even more, than in many passenger car models, a high range and long battery life is important in commercial vehicles. Since the battery also takes up a large installation space, there is a demand for power electronics with high efficiency. These enable the construction of more efficient traction converters but also save energy in smaller applications. These include hydraulic pumps, compressors in air conditioning and refrigeration units, and onboard chargers.

Components based on Silicon Carbide (SiC) offer significant improvements in these applications. In general, the technology incurs lower losses under the same load profile than power MOSFETs and IGBTs. This means they offer increased switching and current-carrying efficiency, advantages that come into effect at higher intermediate circuit voltages. Because of these attributes, SiC-based semiconductors are especially well suited to electric vehicles equipped with batteries that have higher voltages and total storage capacity. And because SiC devices are also able to operate at higher voltages, they can enable onboard charging solutions that deliver shorter charging times and lower total losses.

The inverter that controls the electric traction motor is a good example of a centralized system within a drive train. In terms of efficiency, these systems can benefit from using SiC components. The core function of the inverter is to convert a DC voltage into a three-phase AC voltage that is used to drive the motor. They also operate in reverse during regenerative breaking, which captures the vehicle’s kinetic energy to create a DC voltage used to recharge the vehicle’s battery. The efficiency of the system can only be maximized when the losses inherent in energy conversion are low.

Compared to conventional silicon, the improved conductivity of SiC components reduces these conversion losses, a large part of which is experienced in form of heat. The higher efficiency of SiC-based inverters helps maximize the driving range of eclectic vehicles, making the most efficient use of the limited battery capacity. Besides their advantage in terms of efficiency, inverters based on SiC-based components also exhibit higher power densities. This means that SiC-based inverters can be made physically smaller requiring less installation space.

Source: Infineon

The post Infineon Shows Advantages and Challenges in Using Electric Motors and Silicon Carbide Power Semiconductors in the Commercial Vehicle Industry appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Big. Strong. Unique. A true masterpiece coupled with leading Fendt technology. Experience true strength, full traction, expert control, and intelligent networking with the Fendt 1000 Vario.

Using the comfort ballast pickup, front weights can be picked up quickly and easily, even without front linkage.

With the external valve controls, you can actuate the rear linkage, one valve and the PTO directly on the rear mudguard.

For non-European standards, the rear can also be equipped with rub blocks and a quick hitch frame. Optionally, the Fendt 1000 Vario can be fitted with a 60″ track.

Source: Fendt

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Hitachi continues to provide customers with efficient, reliable, and durable equipment featuring advanced technology – the newest being factory-integrated Solution Linkage 2D and 3D Grade Control.

“We gave a sneak peek of Hitachi’s grade control technology at CONEXPO-CON/AGG last year. It’s thrilling to share this solution with our customers for increased efficiency,”

said Justin Steger, solutions marketing manager, site development & underground, Hitachi Construction & Mining Division.

With Solution Linkage Grade Control, operators can set a grade and hold it without the risk of over digging. Available now on the ZX210-6, ZX210LC-6, and ZX350LC-6, this technology helps operators spend less time getting the grade right the first time.

The technology allows the machine to control the boom and bucket as the operator handles the arm. This functionality is especially useful as it reduces the need for multiple passes to achieve the correct grade. Likewise, less experienced operators are able to achieve the correct grade more efficiently while a crew member who previously had to check for the grade can now be reassigned on the worksite.

Solution Linkage 3D Grade Control with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) controls position and elevation with respect to a global reference while Solution Linkage 2D Grade Control manages the elevation of the cutting edge in relation to a benchmark. The 2D Grade Control technology can also be upgraded to 3D Grade Control through Hitachi dealers.

“Our Solution Linkage 2D and 3D Grade Control unite advanced grade technology with the smooth hydraulics and fast cycle times of Hitachi excavators. It saves time and helps make good operators great,”

Steger said.

With an over-dig protection feature, Solution Linkage Grade Control also lowers the likelihood of over-excavation by preventing the machine from digging past a defined surface or depth. With the prevention of over digging, operators can finish jobs more quickly, reduce material costs and save fuel costs, too.

Virtual Fence features allow operators to establish boundaries and notify the operator as the machine approaches those boundaries. The boundaries include Virtual Front, Virtual Ceiling, Virtual Floor, Virtual Swing, and Virtual Wall. The Virtual Front feature hydraulically limits and automatically stops the bucket cutting edge from contacting the front of the machine at a selectable distance. Virtual Ceiling, Virtual Floor, Virtual Swing, and Virtual Wall features provide visual and audible alerts to the operator as the machine approaches an adjustable set point, allowing operators to focus on productivity.

With the addition of grade control, Hitachi now offers customers four options for grade management technology: Solution Linkage 2D Grade Guidance, Solution Linkage 3D Grade Guidance, Solution Linkage 2D Grade Control, and Solution Linkage 3D Grade Control.
Hitachi’s grade management technology options are factory-installed and calibrated. The systems are also fully supported by Hitachi dealers. Plus, system data from all options work with ZXLink for analysis, so the machine’s health can be monitored to keep projects on track.

“We know grade management technology is the future of the excavator industry. We’re glad to provide a variety of options for our customers,”

Steger said.

The post Hitachi Shows the Solution Linkage 2D and 3D Grade Control appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Storing according to tuber size

In order to grade different sizes of potatoes and onions during storage and processing, web graders are used. Optionally, the new web grader, type WG 900, can be permanently integrated into the receiving hoppers RH 12 Combi, RH 20 Combi, and RH 24 Combi. This new combination of two coordinated machines makes it possible to combine crop intake, soil cleaning, picking, sorting, and dividing the crop into two different sizes with just one machine. And all of this happens with an optimal, straight-aligned crop flow.

Merging conveyor belt for all impurities and trash.

For an improved, flexible use of the receiving hoppers RH 20 and
RH 24, the PU-rollers of the pre-grading unit can be used in heavy, sticky soil conditions not only for tuber grading, but also for cleaning off adhering soil. An optionally integrated merging conveyor transfers the trash, which is separated by the rollers of the grading unit, onto the soil cross conveyor.

The advantage is that merged amounts of trash are discharged all at once onto a single downstream following conveyor. If the pre-grading unit is only to be used for pre-grading (fractioning), then the pre-grading cross conveyor can simply be pushed back over the collecting conveyor belt. The collecting conveyor belt is mounted within the width of the machine and is better protected against collisions during maneuvering.

Working lights

Six LED working lights are optionally available for the receiving hoppers type RH 20 and RH 24 to illuminate the machine and its surrounding. The working lights can be individually aligned or repositioned.

Protective casing for the operator terminal

For dust-free and waterproof storage of the operator terminal and other operating devices, such as a remote control for the store loader, all Grimme receiving hoppers can now be equipped with a protective casing.

The post Grimme RH Series Gets New Upgrades appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

An optimal seedbed with a load-bearing seed horizon where the seeds can be embedded at an even depth over the whole area of the field is the basis for high field emergence and thus for high yields.

It requires an unbroken association between the seed horizon and the capillary water-conducting lower layer to ensure germination in the absence of rainfall. Additionally, rapid heating of the soil and adequate oxygen supply for germinating seeds and a fine crumbled, uniform reconsolidated seedbed for optimal seed coverage are important too.

Power harrows have long since become typical combination machines because they are largely independent of the soil conditions. On heavy soils, it reaches an intensive crumbling. Under light conditions, it can work flat and at a lower rotor speed. The sets of tines rotate on vertical axles for fully horizontal tillage of the soil – no inversion of soil layers and no vertical compression leading to hardpan formation. Consequently, there is no better alternative for seedbed preparation.

A power harrow together with a seed drill is finally an economic high-performance combination. Seedbed preparation and seeding in one pass! All Kverneland power harrows models are exclusively designed to be combined with Kverneland seed drills either modular with front tank and colter bar or with cultivator mounted seed drills.

The post Insight into Kverneland Power Harrows appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

The RiteHeight system uses rugged ultrasonic range sensors mounted near the boom tips to continually monitor and maintain the height of the booms above the ground or crop canopy. That means more consistent spray height, better spray coverage, and reduced drift. And much less stress and fatigue, especially when spraying at dusk or after dark.

Because the RiteHeight Controller uses the sprayer’s existing electric-over-hydraulic controls, it can easily be installed on almost any type of sprayer. Connections are made to the solenoid valves that control the boom lift cylinders.

The RiteHeight Controller is designed to make the operator’s job easier on any sprayer. It is especially helpful in hilly or uneven fields, allowing the operator to focus on other aspects of spraying, and enabling faster operating.

Source: RiteHeight

The post An Insight About Greentronics RiteHeight Sprayer Boom Height Control appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

It was 1955 when Giulio Cestonato, after finishing his studies as a foreman, started his construction activity, initially focussing on small construction works. These events took place at a very favourable time. In fact, in the 1960s the economy was booming, which accelerated the growth of the company both in terms of collaborators and types of work performed.

This was followed by the company’s specialisation in civil construction, still the main focus of the business today under the guidance of Giulio’s children, Roberto, Gianluigi and Sabrina. Under their guidance, the company, which is based in Soave (VR), also supported the construction of new projects with redevelopment and renovation works, especially in the historic centres, and had 9 employees.

A story made up of experience, quality and innovation, which in the 1980s intertwined with that of another large Italian company which as fate would have it, had the same guiding principles: Merlo.

The fateful meeting

The first Merlo machine purchased by Cestonato was a CEM forklift. This is a forerunner of what would later become the journey taken by the Piedmontese manufacturer, namely the design of telehandlers. A journey undertaken by Amilcare Merlo at a time when the very concept of a telehandler did not exist. But this is another story, which Merlo may tell you in the future. Let’s go back to Cestonato.

Today the CEM is no longer part of the fleet. In fact, it has been donated to an association operating in Africa, where it appears to be still operating. Cestonato, on the other hand, turned its attention to telehandlers and purchased their first P30.13, followed over the years by the P35.13.

“Due to our construction sites often having little space and needing to carry out multiple activities, Merlo are always looking for machines which are both compact and versatile. From the outset, the telehandler has been perfect for our needs, an excellent combination of per- Gianluigi and Roberto Cestonato, owners of Cestonato Srl together with their sister Sabrina formance and handling. For us a telehandler needs to be Merlo’s”.

explain Roberto and Gianluigi Cestonato.

In fact, the one delivered in early July, the brand new P40.14 Plus, is the third telehandler by the Venetian company, which replaces the previous P30.13 purchased in 1996.

Merlo have decided to purchase the new Panoramic to meet the specific needs of our restructuring and redevelopment activities. In recent years, Merlo have found that the use of the platform, is now essential for these activities. However, our fleet didn’t have any, so Merlo were forced to rent one. In the end, Merlo considered it more profitable to include in our fleet a machine that also featured a platform. That’s what Merlo did. Thanks to the P40.14 Plus Merlo are now completely autonomous also with regard to the lifting of personnel at height”.

Roberto and Gianluigi explain.

The Cestonato brothers have opted for an slewing platform, the leading model of the Merlo range, able to accommodate 3 people and carry 300 kg at maximum height. The hollow profiles and non-slip aluminium floor give this carriage the perfect combination of structure lightness, the versatility of a hydraulic rotation system and the safety of an automatic load detection device (with movement blockage in case of exceeding the expected limit). The vehicle itself was enhanced thanks to the highest level of technology guaranteed in terms of efficiency, performance and versatility of use by Plus models.

Roberto and Gianluigi Cestonato are happy with their purchase:

Soon the P40.14 will be operational on site, where it will certainly not disappoint.

“just entering the cab you notice the generational leap that has taken place compared to our previous telehandler. This P40.14 is a refined model, whose detail and characteristics meet our needs. Merlo vehicles have several positive qualities, and ours is no exception: versatility, speed, practicality, functionality to the most varied construction operations, just to mention the main ones”

continue Roberto and Gianluigi.

“Furthermore, the visibility from the cab both of the area surrounding the machine and the boom, is truly insurmountable and unmatched among the other telehandlers on the market”.

Source: Merlo

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