Technology

Precision farming is to be worth over US$10bn by 2025. (Image source: Adrian S Pye/Commons)

The global precision farming market is expected to reach US$10.70bn by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc

The machine uses optical sorters to harvest fruits and vegetables. (Photo: Volvo Penta)

Volvo Penta is supplying an 8-litre engine for agricultural specialist manufacturer MTS-Sandei, for its latest tomato harvester

Pöttinger has launched Novacat RCB, its latest new roller conditioner, offering the advantages of being more economical, reliable and easier to service. (Image source: Novacat)

Pöttinger has launched NOVACAT RCB, its latest new roller conditioner, offering the advantages of being more economical, reliable and easier to service

The new roller conditioner, which is available for all Novacat Alpha Motion models as well as the Novacat 262, 302 and 352, is fitted with two toothed belts instead of the usual drive chain. The toothed belts provide double the freedom of movement on the top roller, which translates into an extra 25mm and guarantees optimum conditioning of the forage.

The toothed belts also ensure that the drive system is maintenance-free. The tension of the toothed belts can be conveniently adjusted from the outside. The back tension idler has an automatic lock and can be aligned with the belt using an offset sleeve. Grease is applied to the bearings using an external central greasing point. Oil lubrication is no longer necessary, which considerably reduces the contamination in the drive area. A clean machine makes a significant contribution to clean forage and as a result improves forage quality.

The machine also delivers an optimum drying sequence, thanks to the wide swath placement on rear mower units, which helps greatly in delivering the best possible forage quality. Increased freedom of movement of the top roller increases the clearance for large quantities of forage, which boosts the output of the conditioner and contributes to the cost effectiveness of the machine.

Rolls-Royce and Claas sign a project agreement to supply MTU engine. (Image source: 4028mdk09/Commons)

Rolls-Royce and Claas have signed a project agreement to supply MTU engines to be used in its agricultural vehicles from 2019

Luxury car and aviation engine manufacturers Rolls-Royce have signed a project agreement with agricultural vehicle experts Claas to supply MTU series 1000 to 1500 engines for use in its combine harvesters, forage harvesters and 4x4, high horsepower tractors from 2019. These engines will comply with the European Unions Stage V emissions standards which will come into force in 2019. 

The new engines to be fitted into the new Claas agricultural vehicles are the improved versions of the MTU Series 1000 to 1500, which will be fitted into its Lexion and Tucano combine-harvesters, its Jaguar forage harvester and its 4x4 high-horsepower tractor Xerion. MTU’s Series 1000 to 1500 are based on Daimler OM 93x and OM 47x commercial vehicle engines and cover a broad power range from 100 to 480 kW. From 2019, 4,000 to 5,000 engines are to be supplied per year across all series and emissions levels. The MTU brand is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

Bernd Kleffmann, Head of Systems Engineering Development at Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH, said, “With an eye, among other things, to the EU Stage V Emissions Directive, we have decided in favour of these tried-and-trusted engines from MTU to power a large proportion of our vehicles. We already have over 10 field-trial vehicles fitted with EU Stage V MTU engines and are very satisfied with them.”

Bernd Krüper, Vice President Industrial Business including Construction and Agriculture at MTU, said, “We are delighted at winning one of the most renowned agricultural machinery manufacturers for the EU Stage V engines we’ve introduced. This is a continuation of our long-standing success story with Claas.”