Tractor, harvester IT comes of age
Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that bringing IT to tractors and farming will offer its customers huge benefits.
The latest generation of the GRIMME’s EVO 280 potato harvester is equipped with an integral hydraulic drive-system, alongside updates for ease of maintenance and user-friendliness.
Well known for its high separation performance, enormous throughput and gentle crop handling, the company has addressed the need to harvest sensitive potato varieties at low speeds as well as high yielding varieties. GRIMME’s latest machine’s new, completely hydraulic drivesystem – including the optionally available intake web, as well as the separators – can be adjusted independently of the engine speed (PTO speed) of the tractor.
The speeds of all main webs – including the deviner web – are now displayed in km/h, making it easier for the driver to adjust the web to the selected harvesting speed. The speeds of the second main web and de-viner web can also be set independently of each other with a differential speed of up to 30 %.
If desired, electronic assistance systems – like Speedtronic-Web and Speedtronic-Sep – automatically regulate all web speeds depending on the load. This allows the driver to concentrate on monitoring the machine, thanks to the impressive size of the SmartView display. This new display also helps reduce fatigue when working long days.
Optimisation of the intake design ensures reduced weight, as well as improved contour adaptation, which helps prevent build-up and blockages caused by haulm.
For improved protection against possible losses, the overlap between the first and second main web, as well as between the second main web and the first separator, has been increased.
Improved positioning of the de-viner web drive makes it possible to increase both the pulling power and stability.
In combination with the newly positioned scraper comb, tubers are separated from the haulm even more effectively.
For maximum pushing power in difficult harvesting conditions, the new generation harvester can also be equipped with a hydrostatic wheel drive.
An 8 tonne bunker is fitted as standard. Alternatively, the machine can be equipped with the 7.5 tonne patented Nonstop- Bunker with a very large transfer distance. This makes it easy to unload during the harvesting process, even on platform trailers with two rows of boxes.
The optional bunker web with canvas and all-round padding on the bunker bars ensures maximum crop protection. In addition, there is the optional lubrication system for the bunker chain, whereby oil is automatically applied to the chain links during the bunker unloading process.
At the picking table, staff also benefit from a more attractive working environment thanks to extended comfort packages with additional cleaning spades, storage boxes, and an aluminium ladder and a re-designed canopy. The removal of mechanical drive components also helps to improve accessibility for cleaning and maintenance work, which is aided by the central lubrication points.
For those requiring exact crop data, GRIMME offers georeferenced mass (yield) mapping. Data can be accessed conveniently from home – via the myGRIMME portal – while an electronic link to the agrirouter makes for further transfer to all common farm management systems.
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