Electrification Of Ag Equipment

2012 - Volume #36, Issue #1, Page #31

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Converting from hydraulics to electric power cuts fuel costs by 25 percent, say European companies which have been rapidly developing electrified equipment. Deere, Rigitrac and Same Deutz-Fahr all exhibited tractors with built-in generators.
  “Mechanical and hydraulic drive units are only 65 to 70 percent efficient,” explains Ruben Abajo, a product marketing manager at Deere. “Electric motors are 90 percent efficient and electric power is safer and more flexible, offering better control and instant torque. It’s the trend of the future.”
   Deere’s 6210RE tractor goes on the market this spring. Its integrated generator mounts on the engine crankshaft ahead of the transmission. It uses only 10 percent of available horsepower to produce electricity to power implements. Optional 230V or 400V outlets are available for operating welders, angle grinders, and other tools.
  Rigitrac, a small Swiss company that custom-builds 25 to 30 hydraulic-drive tractors each year, introduced a prototype diesel/electric tractor (www.rigitrac.ch). Equipped with all-electric wheel drives, the EWD120 has no transmission or drive train. It does have all-wheel steering and a top speed of 40 mph. In addition to providing power for its own drive, the diesel/electric also provides 80 kW for implement drives or other uses.
  Same Deutz-Fahr displayed a prototype Agrotron TTV 630 tractor equipped with an electric motor integrated into the transmission housing. Depending on the size of the motor used, it will produce 50 to 70 kW of power. Power is available for implements and/or on-board electric auxiliaries such as heating and cooling (www.samedeutz-fahr.com).
  Raussendorf introduced a pto-driven front-mount electric power pack that produces 45 kW of power to power electric implements with a conventional tractor. The operator can adjust output from 1 to 100 kW. It’s priced at about $23,500 (www.raussendorf.de).

Electric-Powered Implements

Rauch showed an electric-powered fertilizer spreader that offers more precise spreader control regardless of engine speed. The agitator, dosing controls, and motors are powered by 12V low voltage, while the spreading discs are powered by 400V motors (www.rauch.de).
  Pottinger has equipped its EuroTop421W single rotor hay rake with an electric motor that offers infinitely variable rotor speeds independent of tractor speed (www.pottinger.at/en).
  Fliegel introduced PowerDriveElect, an electric drive axle for use on forage wagons. The axle offers extra power and control and will permit the use of smaller, lighter and more efficient tractors while reducing tractor wheel slippage and improving traction (www.agro-center.de).
  Krone also showed a prototype electric drive axle for possible future use on forage wagons and self-propelled forage harvesters and combines (www.landmaschinen.krone.de/).

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Electrification Of Ag Equipment TRACTORS Conversions Converting from hydraulics to electric power cuts fuel costs by 25 percent say European companies which have been rapidly developing electrified equipment Deere Rigitrac and Same Deutz-Fahr all exhibited tractors with built-in generators “Mechanical and hydraulic drive units are only 65 to 70 percent efficient ” explains Ruben Abajo a product marketing manager at Deere “Electric motors are 90 percent efficient and electric power is safer and more flexible offering better control and instant torque It’s the trend of the future ” Deere’s 6210RE tractor goes on the market this spring Its integrated generator mounts on the engine crankshaft ahead of the transmission It uses only 10 percent of available horsepower to produce electricity to power implements Optional 230V or 400V outlets are available for operating welders angle grinders and other tools Rigitrac a small Swiss company that custom-builds 25 to 30 hydraulic-drive tractors each year introduced a prototype diesel/electric tractor www rigitrac ch Equipped with all-electric wheel drives the EWD120 has no transmission or drive train It does have all-wheel steering and a top speed of 40 mph In addition to providing power for its own drive the diesel/electric also provides 80 kW for implement drives or other uses Same Deutz-Fahr displayed a prototype Agrotron TTV 630 tractor equipped with an electric motor integrated into the transmission housing Depending on the size of the motor used it will produce 50 to 70 kW of power Power is available for implements and/or on-board electric auxiliaries such as heating and cooling www samedeutz-fahr com Raussendorf introduced a pto-driven front-mount electric power pack that produces 45 kW of power to power electric implements with a conventional tractor The operator can adjust output from 1 to 100 kW It’s priced at about $23 500 www raussendorf de Electric-Powered Implements Rauch showed an electric-powered fertilizer spreader that offers more precise spreader control regardless of engine speed The agitator dosing controls and motors are powered by 12V low voltage while the spreading discs are powered by 400V motors www rauch de Pottinger has equipped its EuroTop421W single rotor hay rake with an electric motor that offers infinitely variable rotor speeds independent of tractor speed www pottinger at/en Fliegel introduced PowerDriveElect an electric drive axle for use on forage wagons The axle offers extra power and control and will permit the use of smaller lighter and more efficient tractors while reducing tractor wheel slippage and improving traction www agro-center de Krone also showed a prototype electric drive axle for possible future use on forage wagons and self-propelled forage harvesters and combines www landmaschinen krone de/

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