Friday, 14 March 2025 14:55

Alpego eyes electric power harrow

Written by  Mark Daniel
Alpego recently showed its three metre Alysium electric power harrow at the Italian Eima Event. Alpego recently showed its three metre Alysium electric power harrow at the Italian Eima Event.

Distributed by OriginAg in New Zealand, Italian manufacturer Alpego recently showed its three metre Alysium electric power harrow at the Italian Eima Event, taking away an innovation award.

While the base machine is still mechanical, heavy metal groupies will notice the absence of a PTO shaft, while the gearbox used to drive the interlocking gears across the bed of the machine has also been removed.

Instead, the rotors are powered by five electric motors, one for every two rotors. Currently being tested behind a new hybrid tractor, a 700v DC connection provides the Alysium with 50-60kW of electrical power.

Still in the early stages of development prototype, development is centred around understanding what is possible with electrical propulsion, according to the company.

Challenges so far include safety, but already testers have found that the tractor uses up to 35% less fuel. Further benefits are the possibility of controlling rotor speed electrically, with variable speeds to offer real-time adaption to changing soils. It has not been confirmed when, or if, the concept will make it to production.

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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

MF 7S Mark 2: New 170-245hp Tractor Range Unveiled

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