Since its launch in 1998, the Fendt 700 Vario has won numerous awards and has been Fendt’s best-selling range ever since. Customers all over the world rely on these tractors – whether in arable farming, grassland, on the road or in front loader applications. Models of the previous 700 Vario generations are present on medium and large farms as well as with contractors in Europe, North America, South Africa and also in Australia and New Zealand.

High tractive power with economical fuel consumption

Intelligently controlled all-wheel drive management is one of the advantages of Fendt VarioDrive. The drive train eliminates the need for manual switching when changing between field and road operations. It drives the front and rear axles as needed and distributes the power dynamically. In the field, the full tractive force is available and stresses are avoided when driving on roads or curves. The so-called pull-in-turn effect pulls the machine into the curve during turns. The result: a particularly small turning circle with full tractive power and less soil compaction.

Sets new standards in power-to-weight ratio, manoeuvrability and ground protection

With a power-to-weight ratio of just 30.5 kg per hp and compact external dimensions, the Fendt 728 Vario is particularly manoeuvrable and exerts as little pressure as possible on the ground. Depending on the work application, the range can be flexibly ballasted at the front, as well as at the rear on the rear wheels. A gross vehicle weight of up to 15 t allows it to be used as a heavy towing tractor.

The exclusive Concentric Air System (CAS) ventilation and cooling concept is familiar from the Fendt 1000 Vario and has been consistently designed for low engine speeds, compact construction and fuel efficiency. It is driven by its own hydraulic motor and is thus decoupled from the engine speed. The system is controlled flexibly according to demand and operates quietly and efficiently. The compact cooling package enables unique manoeuvrability and combines this with particular efficiency. The innovative technology of the pushing high-performance fan presses cooler air into the cooling pack. Therefore, the fan speed can be reduced and up to 40 percent less drive power is needed compared to conventional fan and cooling systems. This power is then available for traction in the field or on the road. The diameter of only 56 cm results in a slim and clear design of the bonnet. This enables the large steering angle of the wheels of 52 degrees.

Optimum tyre pressure reduces slip and ground pressure. The fully integrated Fendt VarioGrip tyre pressure control system increases the contact area with the ground and boosts tractive power by up to eight percent. When driving on the road, the air pressure is raised and thus the rolling resistance is reduced, thus another two percent fuel* can be saved (*South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, Agricultural Economics Soest 2014). In the terminal, the driver can conveniently control the tyre pressure via the dual-line tyre pressure control system. Fendt VarioGrip is optionally available directly from the factory for both flanged and stub axles, for row-crop with dual tyres and also with wheel weights.

High variance for global requirements

Numerous tyre options are available for the Fendt 700 Vario. The Fendt 726 and 728 Vario models are equipped with large 650/85R38 tyres (2,050 mm diameter) as standard. For medium-sized farms, customers can choose tyres with the dimension 650/65R42 (diameter of 1,950 mm) for the rear tyres, among others. The Fendt 720, 722 and 724 Vario models are equipped with this dimension as standard.

Safety even with heavy transport

The optional top speed of up to 60 km/h at only 1,450 rpm, a comprehensive chassis and safety concept as well as numerous options for rear hitching make the Fendt 700 Vario a true transport talent. The safety concept includes a dual-circuit brake system, Fendt Reaction Steering, as well as a brake light and deceleration assistant and Fendt Stability Control (FSC). FSC reduces side lean at speeds above 25 km/h and minimises roll. This increases safety in curves as well as driving comfort.

Individual operation with FendtONE

In the new generation of the Fendt 700 Vario, the tractor and implements are operated simply and individually via the multifunction joystick and the optional 3L joystick in FendtONE onboard. The Fendt 700 Vario is equipped with a 10″ digital dashboard and a 12″ terminal on the armrest as standard. An additional 12″ terminal in the headliner is available as an option.

Smart functions such as the Fendt Guide guidance system, the automatic Fendt Section Control (SC) or the use of Fendt Variable Rate Control (VRC) are displayed as required on the individually assignable tiles on the terminals.

Safety and working comfort thought out down to the last detail

The proven Fendt VisioPlus cab has been optimised once again in terms of safety and comfort. For the first time, the cabin air filtration can be optionally converted ex works to category 4 protection according to the EU standard EN15695. The category 4 protection system protects the driver from dust, liquid crop protection agents and their vapours. This means that the Fendt 700 Vario meets all the requirements for crop protection. In its basic setting, it meets all the standards of a category 2 protection cabin. The filter system will be available from the end of 2023.

A new generation of driver’s seat

For the first time, there are six different seat configurations for the Fendt 700 Vario. A new premium seat with intuitive operation via the terminal is available as an option. This has numerous ergonomic and comfort functions. The driver adjusts the seat height and position as well as the backrest angle electrically via a lever on the side of the seat. When changing out drivers, they can create personalised seat profiles and activate them with one click.

The comfort functions consist of:

• Multi-stage seat climate control
• Multi-stage seat heating
• Four-way lumbar support
• Adjustable side bolsters
• Massage functions
• Memory function for different users

Higher, stronger, bigger – The new Fendt Cargo and Fendt Cargo Pro 6,100

The new generation of Fendt front loaders expands the existing range in the material handling sector upwards. The Fendt Cargo Pro 6,100 has been completely redeveloped for the performance class of the Fendt 700 Vario.

With a maximum lifting capacity of 4,070 daN and an optional position-independent weighing function, the Fendt Cargo 6,100 also moves large loads efficiently to a height of up to 4.85 m. The Fendt Cargo Pro 6,100 will be available from the end of 2023.

The new multi-coupler reduces pressure losses, has an automatic opening function and protects against contamination when uncoupled. The automatic display in the terminal gives notifications for maintenance intervals. Both functions increase the service life of the loader. The Fendt 700 Vario has separate valves for the front loader. This means that all valves are available at all times at the rear and at the front.

Fendt Care Services up to 8 years

Special Fendt Care packages are available for the seventh-generation Fendt 700 Vario. These include comprehensive manufacturer’s extended warranty of up to eight years or 8,000 working hours for the entire vehicle as well as original Fendt attachments. This enables full cost control and planning security.

Source: Fendt

The post Fendt Launches the Fendt 700 Vario With a New Ground Up Design and Engine appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Operational safety enhanced through self-learning control systems

Looking ahead, digital valve control tops such as the T.VIS M-20 will be indispensable key components in processing plants.

“We are already bringing elements of the valve of the future to fruition. This reflects the growing demand among manufacturers for connectivity, handling, and process diagnostics across their entire product lines. That means plants today are increasingly exposed to even higher stress. Our GEA T.VIS M-20 counteracts this thanks to its shock-resistant design and built-in sensor technology. This helps operators ensure plant availability and quality through automatic, self-learning, reproducible process controls,”

says Bernd Porath, Product Manager for Valve Automation at GEA.

Customers are required to commission plants ever earlier, lines often run at full capacity, and product changes are made so rapidly that valves are subjected to pressure surges and vibration.

Automatic initialization for commissioning and under process conditions

To lighten plant operators’ workload during commissioning, the valve experts have integrated digital intelligence into the GEA T.VIS M-20 control top in the shape of a proprietary program code.

The Quick-Setup takes care of the entire commissioning process – including self-learning position recognition by the feedback systems – without the need for specially trained personnel. All that operators are required to do is assign the electrical and pneumatic connections. The built-in contact-free path measuring system detects its position with a precision of 50 µ – a much higher degree of accuracy than would be possible manually, says Porath. Under process conditions – following maintenance or replacement of the control top – the electronics automatically initialize the feedback systems.

The ease of installation has been confirmed in field tests at Arla Foods and Uckermärker Milch.

“Our customers were astounded and very pleased. The M-20 can be installed completely intuitively, without needing to rely on judgment or experience by the operating staff. We have considerably reduced the burden on operators by eliminating errors caused by different users entering different settings,”

reports Porath.

The modules were instantly up and running at the customers’ sites and have now been operating smoothly for months.

Improved protection against mechanical stress

In designing the M-20 control top, GEA placed emphasis on protecting each individual component and ensuring operational safety even under heavy use. The vibration and shock resistance of all components was increased to 10 g in accordance with IEC/EN 60068-2-6 and 27, double the level of the previous model.

“The path measuring system and control electronics are located on a combination printed circuit board, which is no longer encapsulated but openly integrated into the housing, as with our most sophisticated A-15 control top,”

explains Porath.

All components are also protected by the proven T-VIS housing technology at the highest level against dust and moisture applying the IP69k standard.

Lean portfolio and simple spare parts handling

GEA now covers the full spectrum of digital control top requirements for hygienic and aseptic valves with just two types: The new GEA T.VIS M-20 control top is optimized for most applications without additional monitoring requirements.

GEA’s butterfly valves, single- and double-seat valves, as well as valves with special functions and product recovery systems, can be fitted with the control top, including virtually the entire GEA VARIVENT and GEA Aseptomag valve series for hygienic and aseptic valves, respectively. All of the control top’s mechanical and electronic components are compatible with the associated GEA valve technology.

If more than two feedbacks and further monitoring functions via an IO-Link connection are required for double-seat valves with seat lifting, GEA’s portfolio offers the GEA T.VIS A-15 premium solution. Conveniently, GEA has designed standard pilot valves, switching rods, path measuring systems, and connections for both the M-20 and A-15 control tops. This standardization simplifies planning, servicing, and ensuring spare parts availability, particularly in the event of subsequent plant modifications.

Sustainability in tomorrow’s component design

With regard to further valve technology developments at GEA, Product Manager Bernd Porath reports:

“Plant uptime, robustness, and repeatability of processes and their components are all part of the overarching theme of sustainability, which is a huge concern for the industry. Optimally configured, durable process technology naturally plays a part in the smooth operation of our customers’ plants. We aim to show how digital control tops with sophisticated automated functions and feedback options can contribute to an improved climate footprint. We intend to capture additional functions within our valve range – from control to process diagnostics and predictive maintenance.”

The post GEA Presents New-Generation Valve Control Tops Enhance Operational Safety appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Over 2.5 million miles of pipeline in the US lay beneath farmland, ranchland, and across our country. Pipelines are the safest mode of transportation in the United States. A barrel of crude oil or petroleum product shipped by pipeline reaches its destination safely more than 99.9999% of the time.

Pipeline operators work hard to ensure that health, safety, security, and environmental concerns are all addressed. Pipeline companies work to prevent releases by evaluating, inspecting, and maintaining pipelines in a program called Integrity Management. Much of the activity you see out on the pipeline right-of-way (ROW) is company personnel ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the system.

Some of the common activities you may notice qualified pipeline representatives performing:

Aerial Patrol

Pipeline representatives fly over pipelines at regular intervals to perform inspections. They look for discolored ground, dying vegetation, or a sheen on the water as signs of a possible leak.

Nearby construction is noted and a call to the local field office is made. Pilots look for buildings or obstructions on the ROW (called encroachments). Pipeline patrol is an essential element of Integrity Management programs.

In-Line Inspection and Maintenance “Pigging”

For many years, the pipeline industry has used devices to clean the inside of pipelines. These devices, called “pigs,” scrub and scrape waxes and other contaminants that can build up on the interior walls. The first such devices were made of straw and wire and made a squealing noise as they traveled through the pipeline, thus earning the name “pigs.”

Today, high-tech in-line inspection (ILI) tools travel through the pipe and measure and record irregularities that may represent corrosion, cracks, laminations, deformations (dents, gouges, etc.), or other defects. Because they run inside the pipe in a manner similar to the scrubbing and scraping devices known as pigs, these inline inspection tools are often referred to as “smart pigs.”

Right-of-Way (ROW) Clearing

The pipeline ROW must be kept clear of trees, tall vegetation, or structures. The pipeline patroller’s visual inspection cannot be impeded by tree canopies, buildings, or other encroachments. It is also important to keep the pipeline ROW free of trees because roots can damage the protective coating of the pipeline, and in case of an emergency, responders need to be able to access the area quickly.

Mainline Valve Inspections

Pipeline systems have valves located throughout the entire system. These valves are used to isolate sections of the pipeline when conducting maintenance or in case of an emergency. Routine inspections verify that the valves operate properly.

Hydrostatic Testing

Hydrostatic testing can be an important part of the pipeline’s integrity management program. During the test, the pipeline is filled with water at pressures higher than normal operating pressures. The water is colored using an environmentally safe dye, so if there is a leak, it can be identified, and repairs can be made. Hydrostatic testing can last 8-12 hours or more and is a safe and effective way to proactively look for problems that could result in a release.

Corrosion Inspections

In its natural state, metal corrodes at various rates depending on the material. Pipeline companies use different methods to protect against corrosion and ensure safe operation,
including sophisticated coatings and cathodic protection (electric currents) to fight against
corrosion. When a pipeline is properly installed and maintained, it can operate safely virtually endlessly. Pipe-to-ground and close interval inspections ensure corrosion protection is operating properly.

Originally published in the 2021 PASA Farm & Ranch Excavation Safety Guide

The post The Eye in the Sky, Squealing Pigs, and Other Pipeline Mysteries Revealed appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

As manufacturers look to develop off-road vehicles and equipment powered by alternative energy sources, it’s important to consider the various design, safety and servicing implications for end-users.

Machinery powered by alternative energies can share many similarities to that powered by traditional diesel powertrains. However, there will also be many differences. For the agriculture and construction industries to fully reap the benefits of alternative energies, a keen understanding of those differences is essential. Now is the time to develop that keen understanding.

“It is common to see on-highway technologies transfer to off-highway products with a few-year lag,”

said David Langenderfer, technical project leader at  Cummins, who spoke to virtual attendees at AEM’s Product Safety & Compliance Seminar. In other words, that technology transfer could begin taking place sooner than later.

In off-highway applications, today’s most common powertrain continues to be diesel. Langenderfer said the future powertrain is likely to include a high-efficiency, spark-ignited engine with a choice of fuels: gasoline, natural gas or propane. From there, OEMs can step into a range-extending “hybrid” electric vehicle.

“The OEM still takes advantage of a conventional engine, but adds an electric machine to charge the batteries,” Langenderfer said. “The big benefit is that the combustion engine can continue driving the machinery if the battery ends up dying.”

Another future range-extending option could be a fuel cell that uses hydrogen to power a membrane exchange that creates voltage to charge batteries. Then, at the far end of the futuristic spectrum, is a path toward fully electric off-road vehicles and equipment. At that point, there will be much more for manufacturers and end-users to consider.

Drivers behind alternative energies

Conventional wisdom might suggest that “cost” is what is spurring interest in alternative energy sources. Langenderfer shared data from July 2019 that stamps a big question mark on that notion. For instance, the per-kWh price of diesel, gasoline and natural gas was relatively the same. However, the price of electricity was at least 37% higher, and the price of propane was roughly double.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission is where you start to see some meaningful advantages with alternative energy sources. Consider the following data measuring GHG emissions during normal machine operation:

• Combustion diesel engine: 296 g/kWh
• Combustion gasoline engine: 293 g/kWh
• Propane engine: 251 g/kWh
• Natural gas engine: 213 g/kWh
• Fully electric powertrain: 0 to 947 g/kWh (depending on generation method)

Fuel cost does come into play once you begin examining consumption. Generally speaking, alternative fuels are more efficient sources of energy. Take a look at the below data on thermal efficiencies:

• Diesel – 38%
• Port fuel-injected gasoline – 25%
• Direct-injected turbocharged gasoline – 35%
• High-efficiency gasoline – 40%
• High-efficiency natural gas – 40%
• Electric motor – 90%+

As you get to those higher efficiencies, fuel consumption goes down because the energy source directs more of the energy into the tractive effort of the machine. That reduces energy use — and that reduces an end-user’s operating cost.

Migrating to propane and natural gas

As Langenderfer pointed out, conventional powertrains are protected for multiple fuel types. Regardless if the machine is fueled by diesel, gasoline, propane or natural gas, there is commonality among the short block, engine mounts, and air and fluid connections.

“Conventional powertrains, independent of fuel type, also have the same FEAD (front-end accessory drive) components. Essentially, there is a plug-and-play piece with respect to conventional powertrains.”

Langenderfer added.

That said, there are some variances when migrating to certain alternative fuels.

The fuel tank is one point of difference. Liquid fuels, including diesel and gasoline, utilize a similar tank made of either plastic or stainless steel. Natural gas and propane require a high-pressure tank.

The cylinder head will need to be constructed of aluminum for a spark-ignited alternative fuel. That is to help pull some of the heat out and eliminate knocking. With a diesel engine, on the other hand, a cast-iron cylinder head remains prevalent for long-term durability advantages.

Differences will also emerge when looking at the combustion piece of an alternatively fueled engine. For instance, diesel uses a high-pressure direct injector. Then, depending on the size of the engine, either glow plugs or a grid heater are utilized as a cold-starting aid. Conversely, a port fuel injector is used for natural gas and propane.

With respect to the aftertreatment system, diesel engines are well-known for components including a DOC (diesel oxidation catalyst), DPF (diesel particulate filter), SCR (selective catalytic reductor) and AMOX (ammonia oxidation catalyst). With a spark-ignited engine, a smaller TWC (three-way catalyst) is utilized.

“As we get further and further down the emissions threshold, you’ll start seeing these catalysts move closer and closer to the engine to help mitigate the amount of fuel required to heat them up,”

Langenderfer said.

From an exhaust system perspective, the peak temperature for diesel exhaust is around 760° C, whereas a spark-ignited engine runs much hotter at 850 to 950° C.

“As we design vehicles with these spark-ignited engines, we’ll have to think about that higher temperature in relationship to where the components are near the engine,” Langenderfer pointed out.

Fuel leaks present some unique challenges with certain alternative fuels. With a liquid fuel such as diesel or gasoline, leaks are easy to spot through regularly occurring visual inspections. But with gaseous fuels such as propane and natural gas, there is no visual cue that a leak has emerged. Thus, a leak warning system is a necessary addition to the vehicle or equipment. Evaporative system requirements must also be met.

In terms of overall vehicle architecture, Langenderfer said there are few differences between diesel and gasoline powertrains. With natural gas, however, it’s likely that two or three fuel tanks will be needed to provide the necessary volume of energy to achieve the same production output (i.e. mileage).

“Because natural gas is such a good fuel, one benefit is that you can likely downsize the engine,”

Langenderfer said.

For instance, the typical diesel engine is a 6.7L. Natural gas could require a 2.8L engine.

“This could provide some additional space under the hood in the engine compartment — without sacrificing power and torque,”

Langenderfer pointed out.

Hybrids, hydrogen, and full electrification

A range-extending electric/diesel vehicle is also relatively comparable to a conventional powertrain architecture — with one additional benefit.

“You are able to go down to a smaller engine because you’re splitting the power between the battery and the engine gen set,”

Langenderfer explained.

In this architecture, the vehicle has a 150kW generator, 74 kWh battery, and a 180 to 200 kW electric machine in the back.

“Depending on the performance requirements of the vehicle, this architecture could also have a gearbox,”

Langenderfer pointed out.

Additional componentry includes a three-phase inverter to convert the AC power from the generator so it can charge the DC battery. A second three-phase inverter is also needed, this time between the battery and electric machine. A DC-DC converter is also required since there is no longer an alternator to charge the 12V or 24V battery.

“An OEM must also add an on-board AC converter/charger so the end-user can charge the battery overnight,” Langenderfer added. “There are also a couple of different connectors such as a Level 2 AC SAE J1772 connector which is 240V AC.”

One thing OEMs must put some thought to with a hybrid architecture is vehicle accessories.

“With a diesel/electric architecture, the engine may not always be running as you operate the vehicle. Therefore, you’ll need a way to electrify accessories such as the power steering pump, AC compressor and cab heater.”

Langenderfer said.

With a range-extending battery/gasoline vehicle, not much changes other than going from diesel to gasoline engine, or even a natural gas engine. This reiterates the point made earlier that OEMs want to have some commonality between powertrain configurations. This gives end-users the ability to choose the best fuel type for a given job site.

Looking further out on the horizon (2030-2035), a range-extending hydrogen fuel tank vehicle enters the discussion.

“As hydrogen fuel costs come down and the cost of a fuel cell comes down, OEMs could look at replacing a conventional internal combustion engine with a fuel cell. In this case, all electric accessories will remain similar — but an OEM will need a high-pressure fuel tank for the hydrogen fuel.”

Langenderfer said.

When off-highway machinery evolves to fully electric vehicle architecture, Langenderfer said a much larger, 150 kWh battery will be required since no engine or hydrogen fuel cell will be helping power the vehicle.

“OEMs will also need to think about the liquid cooling for the battery, inverters, convertors and electric machine itself. Manufacturers will need to think about where they want to package all of those heat exchangers.”

Langenderfer pointed out.

Manufacturers will also encounter a Level 3 DC charger for faster charging, because end users will require a quicker turnaround in order to make fully electric machinery practical for everyday operation.

Speaking of everyday practicality, OEMs looking to leverage alternative fuel sources must consider the implications with respect to productivity, safety, and the ability to service and maintain vehicles and equipment.

Source: AEM

The post AEM Explains New Energy Sources for Off-highway appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Last year, Engcon launched a global safety initiative, “Dig Smart. Dig Safe”, to highlight the use of smart technology in accident prevention. The aim of the initiative was to create discussion around safety issues. And to establish an industry-recognized vision of zero accidents due to buckets coming loose because of incorrect handling.

“Last year’s safety initiative, “Dig Smart. Dig Safe”, had a positive impact, to the extent that as many as 38 in-depth articles were reproduced in media all over the world. From North America to media in Europe, the Nordics and Asia”,

says Ulrica Hellström, Marketing Director at Engcon. But the road to changing behavior is long, so we will continue the initiative until the issue of safety is raised higher on agendas around the world.

In Norway, for example, the issue has been in the spotlight. The Norwegian Machinery Wholesalers’ Association has taken an important step in the right direction. They are issuing recommendations to apply safety requirements higher than international standards.

The Norwegian construction consortium Veidekke demanded effective January 2020 that all excavators over 5 tonnes must-have safely quick couplers. In connection with the Swedish trade union SEKO, Engcon will present its safety system at a digital safety conference. Along with the machine dealer Maskinia who will explain why they choose to equip their excavators with safety products.

“A vision of zero accidents due to dropped buckets is a challenge, one that can’t be solved with the attention of just a few players. All the industry actors need to be involved. So, we will continue to repeat the campaign “Dig Smart. Dig Safe” for many years to come”,

says Ulrica Hellström and concludes:

“In parallel with the work to provoke a discussion, we will develop and launch smart solutions that eliminate handling errors and prevent accidents. We’ll try as much as possible to make safety systems a part of our standard range. We don’t want the excavator operator to consider cost as an obstacle to investing in a safe workplace. In the autumn, we started delivering our smart locking panel and safe locking function under the tiltrotator as a standard and this can easily be compared to an automatic braking system on a car. We help the driver to do the right thing. Hopefully, we can offer further developments in the spring”.

The post A Year After the Launch of the Engcon’s Safety Initiative appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Engcon‘s strategy is to continually improve the excavators’ everyday lives with more efficient, flexible, and safer solutions. This means, among other things, providing access to smart solutions for everyone, by offering them as standard. The automatic quick coupler system, EC-Oil, has previously been added as an option at no extra charge. Further increasing safety, Engcon will offer the safe locking system QSC under the tiltrotator as standard.

The current system for controlling the bucket lock under the tiltrotator will be replaced with Engcon’s standardized locking panel, directing the driver’s actions by means of an alert system to ensure correct positioning. In this way, Engcon simplifies the handling of the bucket lock – the hitch control function is standardized, regardless of the make and model of the excavator. This minimizes the risks of dropped or swinging tools.

”We usually compare it to the fact that the gas and brake pedals would have different placements in a car depending on which car brand it is. In short, if a driver who changes from one excavator to another and can operate it in the same way, the risk of making mistakes with serious consequences is greatly minimized”,

says Martin Engström, Product Manager at Engcon.

Unique safety function that saves lives

In addition to the standardization of the locking procedure, it is also impossible to activate the bucket lock under the tiltrotator while the bucket is hanging in midair – a safety function that is unique to Engcon’s locking solution.

”This reduces the greatest risk that a bucket or a tool is accidentally dropped when up in the air. Which can prevent both injuries and deaths,”

says Martin Engström.

The locking system, QSC, together with Engcon’s quick coupler Q-Safe, also has an audiovisual warning system. The system warns with sound and light alarms if the bucket is connected incorrectly. As an accessory, you can also order a safety function that locks the excavator’s turning movements, which further increases safety.

“To sum up, we continue to standardize for maximum safety and to prevent unnecessary accidents due to mistakes, stress, or improper handling. And not only that, it costs nothing extra”,

Martin Engström concludes.

The post Engcon’s new standardization advances excavation safety appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Developed three years ago by Naïo Technologies, a pioneering company in agricultural robotics, Ted is the first autonomous, 100% electric high-clearance tool dedicated to the mechanical weeding of vines. The robot has quickly generated strong interest in the wine-growing sector, which is looking very closely at this solution.

More than twenty Teds are now working in various vineyards. This high-clearance tool, capable of working autonomously among the vines, responds to the sector’s current needs. Ted limits soil compaction and thanks to its mechanical weeding will allow the elimination of allow chemical weedkillers, while still remaining environmentally-friendly thanks to its entirely electric operation.

The robot is therefore continuing to improve in the hands of its wine-growing experts in terms of reliability, autonomy and safety.

“The Bernard Magrez Estate is convinced that robotisation will play a fundamental role in the mechanical maintenance of the land over the next few decades. Electrical power, the absence of greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution are the main focus of our commitment to the environment. In this, we have developed a 4-year partnership with Naïo Technologies to perfect a robot capable of carrying out the majority of the soil maintenance work among the vines”

highlights Arnaud Delaherche, R&D Manager of the Bernard Magrez Estate.

This confidence is reinforced by a common desire to promote an innovative, technological solution already in existence and to prepare it for tomorrow: the Ted robot.

“Within the context of its commitments on sustainable wine growing and to support its partner wine producers, the Hennessy company is testing many different solutions in its vineyards to promote more virtuous wine growing. The R&D partnership project with Naïo Technologies is fully compatible with this approach. The development of the Ted robot is therefore an innovative alternative to the use of weedkillers. Its light weight and adaptability, as well as its electrical operation, are assets in view of the development of sustainable wine growing in the Charente region,”

specifies Mathilde Boisseau, Hennessy Vine and Wine Manager.

From July onwards, they will be the first ones to test the new version of the Ted robot before its official launch planned for September.

Source: Naïo Technologies

The post Experts in the Wine-Growing Sector Take a New Step Forward with Naïo Technologies appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

“It’s unfortunate that it sometimes takes an incident or close call to motivate producers to put in place farm safety measures,”

said Marcel Hacault, executive director of the Canadian Agriculture Safety Association (CASA), a non-profit organization formed in 1993 to respond to health and safety issues in agriculture.

“It’s even more unfortunate if they don’t take action to prevent incidents from happening again,” he said.

The survey, conducted from Feb. 10-21, found that seven in 10 producers (72 percent) have had an incident resulting in an injury or close call on their operation at some point in their lifetime, and a quarter (24 percent) of producers report having had one within the last year.

It also showed that producers who have had a safety incident on the farm are no more likely to access safety information or develop a safety plan than those who haven’t had an incident. However, a growing number of producers recognize their work is not done safely all of the time.

“Awareness is usually the first step toward taking preventative action,”

Hacault said.

“It’s not only obvious dangers that pose risk. There are often hidden hazards that can harm you, an employee or a family member.”

The survey showed only one in 10 producers (14 percent) surveyed indicated they have a written safety plan for their operation and 70 percent of those with plans felt it is effective in preventing injuries.

Hacault said a safety plan serves as an inventory of the various hazards that exist on the farm and sets out practices and procedures to prevent close calls or injuries from happening. It only takes one moment of distraction, fatigue, or complacency to change a person’s life forever.

Seeding and harvest are among the most dangerous times of the year since many producers are working long hours and are racing against the clock to get the job done.

“Producers have to remember that the most valuable asset on any farm is the people who do the work,”

Hacault said.

“By taking care of ourselves and those around us, we are contributing to our long-term success in both business and life.”

Producers can access safety information or training from a variety of organizations, including industry associations, provincial agriculture safety associations, agriculture suppliers, government, and non-profit agencies, such as CASA, Red Cross, and St. John Ambulance.

FCC is a long-time supporter of CASA and its safety awareness initiatives, including Canadian Agricultural Safety Week. It is also a proud supporter of other farm safety programs, such as the Back to Ag Program that supports the cost of adaptive technology for farmers that have experienced a traumatic injury.

A total of 1,239 FCC Vision panelists involved in agriculture production from across Canada participated in the study. With a 78 percent response rate, the margin of error for this survey is +/- three percent at a standard 95 percent confidence level.

Source: Farm Credit Canada

The post Farm Credit Canada Survey Shows More Can Be Done to Improve Farm Safety appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

“To help our customers ensure they are using their Brokk machines in the safest, most efficient way possible, our technicians provide in-depth, hands-on training with on all new and used machine purchases as well as rental machine startups,”

said Lars Lindgren, President of Brokk Inc.

“And as we expand our presence in North America, we’ve been able to go a step further and offer continued training options. Maybe that means coming to the jobsite for an operational refresher course with new hires or a one-on-one mechanical course at our St. Joseph facility. The enhanced training options allow contractors to design a curriculum that maximizes their Brokk experience.”

Customers can tailor training to focus on either machine operation or mechanics, depending on their needs and applications. All curriculum includes a combination of hands-on and classroom training by one of six specialized Brokk technicians. These team members are highly skilled with years of experience using Brokk machines in a variety of applications and will be assigned based on their specialties, including concrete cutting, process, and foundry, demolition, or service and repair. In addition to on-site training, the enhanced options can be designed to take advantage of the inventory and service facilities at Brokk’s Demonstration and Service Center in St. Joseph, Missouri. Special arrangements also can be made through the Stanhope, New Jersey, distribution center, and company headquarters in Monroe, Washington.

The Training curriculum will vary based on customer applications and crew requirements. A refresher course that covers key systems and components and touches on general job sites procedures — such as daily inspections and control box protocols to maximize machine control and operator comfort — will be included in most customized courses. Additional training in areas such as key troubleshooting and error code analysis, as well as operation tips to increase productivity and reduce stress on the machine, are also incorporated to help operators seamlessly integrate Brokk equipment into their applications and revolutionize productivity.

“Whether a contractor is new to Brokk or has been using a remote-controlled demolition machine for years, training is a continuous process,”

Lindgren said.

“Our machines have gone through numerous evolutions in more than 40 years. Training helps Brokk operators best use these cutting-edge innovations to improve their productivity and safety. Customers work one-on-one with our best technicians — some of them with more than 30 years of industry experience. For management, it provides an opportunity to better understand the equipment and recognize operator potential to maximize efficiency.”

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