CONTENTS
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
73 PRIDE IN PERFORMANCE
Cummins’ engine technologies are
meeting modern agricultural needs
77 HANDLING THE HEAT
Increasing exhaust aftertreatment
efficiency is a Thermamax speciality
79 POWER AND PROWESS
John Deere Power Systems has
developed robust hybrid solutions
81 ELECTRIFIED COLLABORATIONS
Comer is pushing alternative powertrain
solutions forward with help from an OEM
83 DRIVING PROGRESS FORWARD
Choosing the appropriate axle for an
operation is vital, says NAF
85 BOOSTING AG OPERATIONS
Horton’s fan innovations could lead
to major benefits for farmers
87 EMBRACING ALL PERSPECTIVES
Past events can help to inform future
technology, say Danfoss
94 MAKING CONNECTIONS
Stucchi’s quick-release couplings
are relieving burdens for farmers
95 PUMP EFFICIENCIES
Disadvantages of hydraulic pumps
are a thing of the past with Bucher
96 ENGAGING HYDRAULIC POWER
Poclain has adapted its products to
ensure tractors are safer than ever
FOREWORD
97 THE POWER OF HYDRAULICS
Expanding into other markets is
maximizing Kawasaki’s product potential
98 NEW STEERING SYSTEMS
Wandfluh hydraulics are helping solve
logistic concerns at ports
99 EASIER CONNECTIONS
Flexible Faster components offer
a multitude of benefits
100 SMARTER HYDRAULIC CONTROL
Black Bruin’s hydraulic motors are
enabling better vehicle mobility
106 CONNECTION IS KEY
Platform power distribution from Wurth
is increasing development efficiencies
107 DASHBOARD FOR ALL
MTA is streamlining the user experience
with customized features
108 MODULAR ISOBUS PLATFORM
Multi-function displays from CrossControl
are modernizing terminal solutions
109 WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
Orlaco is ensuring automated workflows
are reliably completed
110 LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS
A flourishing off-highway industry needs
good controller equipment, says TTControl
111 ELECTRONIC SYSTEM BOOST
How Topcon electronics are transforming
the agricultural sector
112 HIGH POWER CONNECTIONS
Amphenol is streamlining with one lug
for 18 contact points
115 AUTONOMOUS AGRICULTURE
Farming is set to change but what needs
to remain will, says B&R
119 THE PERFECT CLIMATE
Eberspächer Kalori is making sure
operator comfort needs are being met
121 KEEPING IT MODULAR
Custom armrests from Elobau are
expanding cabin design possibilities
122 PEDAL AT THE READY
Caldaro is modernizing the humble pedal
and reaping the benefits
125 NEW AGE CABINS
High comfort and specifications are key for
modern operator spaces, says Fritzmeier
126 RELIABLE REMOTE CONTROLS
Autec is increasing safety for vegetation
maintenance operators
129 RELEASING PRESSURE
Quick-release couplings are key to
minimizing damage, says Holmbury
130 MASTERS OF 48V UNIVERSE
Curtis Instruments expertise is helping to
electrify off-highway machinery
133 ADVANCED AXLES
Heavy-duty vehicles are going emissionfree
thanks to FPW Axles
4
Increasing productivity on farms is a serious business. It’s not
just about making more money – farms must become more
productive in order to feed our growing populations. There are many ways
in which productivity can be increased, such as developing better
fertilizers, employing more effective pest control and even creating new,
genetically modified plant strains. But perhaps one of the least
controversial ways is simply to improve the machines that work the farms.
One simply way to improve productivity is to go faster. JCB took this
idea to extremes back in June when its engineers succeeded in smashing
the UK tractor speed record with a specially modified Fastrac, on an
airfield in Yorkshire. Our writer David Smith was there to watch the action
unfold (p28). While this was clearly a showpiece – no one is has yet
suggested attaching a plough to the back of this superfast machine – JCB
designers and engineers are clear that they tried to keep techniques and
parts as standard as possible, and therefore are hoping to learn valuable
lessons from the project that will feed back into improving the efficiency of
their production models.
Another way to improve agricultural machinery is to make it more
powerful. While there may be limits to how powerful it is possible (or even
desirable) to make a farm vehicle, it would seem such a plateaux has yet to
be reached. Claas has just unveiled its new Lexion range (p36), featuring
what is thought to be the most powerful combine harvester ever built – the
790hp Lexion 8900. Meanwhile, even mid-size tractors are pushing the
upper ends of their power ranges, with Fendt launching its new 900 series,
which includes the 942 Vario (p48) as the most powerful machine – its
first ever 900 series tractor to be rated over 400hp.
Increasing speed and power are certainly helpful, if somewhat obvious,
ways to improve productivity, but in our digitized, connected world,
perhaps there are smarter ways in which we can work? That’s certainly
what designers at John Deere and the Technical University of Dresden are
thinking. They have joined forces in Projekt Feldschwarm, which Jack
Roper reports on in our cover feature. The idea here is that productivity
can be increased not by having a single bigger, faster, more powerful
machine, but instead by utilizing a group of more modestly specified
vehicles that act together as an autonomous swarm, following a lead
vehicle controlled by a human (although it is easy to imagine that one day
even the lead vehicle will be fully autonomous itself). It’s a fascinating
project that has only just begun, you can read more from page 18.
JCB, Claas, Fendt and John Deere will all be showcasing their latest
vehicles and technologies this November, as the biennial Agritechnica
expo returns. And, of course, there will be plenty of other highlights you
won’t want to miss besides – turn to page 68 to make sure you catch every
important exhibitor. See you in Hanover!
Tom Stone, Editor
Coming up in the November 2019 issue of iVT
ELECTRIFICATION SPECIAL: From hybrid solutions to fully electric machines: OEMs, engine
manufacturers and powertrain suppliers give the full picture of this growing sector
iVTInternational.com September 2019
/iVTInternational.com
