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Bale production specialists Vermeer says its new autonomous bale collector, Bale Hawk will save time and labour by removing the manual task of collecting bales from the paddock.
We've got used to many forms of tech in agriculture, such as global positioning systems (GPS), auto steering and variable rate application of fertilisers and sprays. Now it looks like the mundane task of moving bales is about to see an upgrade.
Bale production specialists Vermeer has recently shown where they see the future heading, with a look at their autonomous bale collector, Bale Hawk, that is said to save time and labour by removing the manual task of collecting bales from the paddock.
The patent-pending system uses sensors to detect its position in the paddock, then plots the most effective route to collect up to three bales and transport them to a central location for wrapping or stacking.
Powered by a Deutz powerplant, rubber tracks are then used to move the machine, while similar tracks lift and transport the bales onto the machine. It is said to weigh less than three tonnes, and the manufacturer also suggests there are benefits of reduced compaction, both in terms of the machine’s footprint, but also in the optimal route the unit takes to collect bales. This is in comparison to the haphazard movements and repeated passes that traditional collection by front end loader or telehandler will typically make.
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With the biannual Italian EIMA machinery Expo less than a month away, Case IH has taken out a Technical Evolution award for the Advanced Vehicle Suspension system available on its Optum 360–440 series tractors.
The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
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