Join the e-volution: Keestrack presents at BAUMA and EIMA 2022 a 100% battery driven tractor together with technological partner Rigitrac. The machine will make its debut in 2023 as MADE IN ITALY in the Goldoni Keestrack factory

In a historical period of great climatic and energy change, all industries must dedicate a strong commitment to sustainability. All manufacturing industries and their supply chains have been investing for years in finding solutions in line with the needs of times (by Research and Development). Today the technology is mature (but continues evolving) to “drive” off-highway machinery which is capable to produce with zero carbon emission to the environment.

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Keestrack, a major manufacturer in mining, recycling and construction equipment is known for using the best economic drive systems to power their equipment. They started with load sensing hydraulics in 1999 which reduced the fuel costs with 30%. Keestrack started using electric drives in 2012 and introduced the e-drive; electric plug-in with on-board diesel/gen-set in case there is no electric plug-in resource available. Keestrack will keep on searching for the best performance at the lowest costs and with the smallest ecological footprint. Nowadays Keestrack introduced the ZERO-drive machines, without any combustion engines on- board. Only electric motors drive the mobile crushing and screening equipment. At this point electric drive systems are the greenest and most effective options on the market, as they are more efficient than conventional hydraulic systems, however Keestrack will keep on searching for even better solutions to drive their equipment.

In Keestrack vision the same efforts and technology can be applied to the agricultural sector that is, and will always be, the protagonist of this revolution. In agriculture using sustainable energy will create a perfect circle. Producing food and preserving the environment by reducing the carbon footprint on the entire supply chain.   This goal is even more challenging in specialized agriculture where high power is required and compact dimensions of the machinery are the main elements to deliver efficient solutions.

It has been the goal for many years for Keestrack to enter this market and leverage the Keestrack know-how and background. Nowadays the time is ripe to present a brand new 100% battery driven narrow tractor, developed together with technological partner Rigitrac, a Swiss agricultural machinery manufacturer, who has been studying the electrical application to agricultural machinery for more than 11 years.

Rigitrac Traktorenbau AG, is a traditional family business based on extraordinary innovative strength of father Sepp sustained by his wife Marlis and their four daughters who manage with joy and conviction the main company functions. A constantly growing company counting on extremely competent and motivated employees.

Since 2003 Rigitrac has been building in Switzerland, in various model variants, which have already received various awards thanks to their entrepreneurial innovative strength. These tractors impress with their manoeuvrability and high stability on slopes and are built to be very gentle on the soil.

With the new, purely electric Rigitrac SKE 40 project, the company's spirit of invention and ingenuity has now reached another peak. The vehicle passed the extensive tests with impressive performance and is scheduled to go into series production next year. The mission profile is a versatile tractor ideal for road and lawn care in both summer and winter. Interested buyers are likely to be municipalities, green care professionals and sustainable agriculture farms. The Rigitrac SKE 40 Electric project combines the latest technology, low noise emissions, low operating costs, low maintenance requirements, environmental friendliness, resource conservation and a long service life. This makes it an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional vehicles.

The tractor will be produced in Italy at the Goldoni Keestrack factory, which is part of the Keestrack group since March 2021 after the acquisition of Goldoni. Keestrack found in Goldoni a perfect fit.  A historical Italian manufacturer specialized in narrow agricultural machinery to lead a sustainable agricultural market.

Goldoni Keestrack is a renowned Italian manufacturer specialized in agricultural machinery production since 1926. It is a benchmark in compact and narrow agricultural machinery industry. From motorcultivator to specialized 4WD and Equal Wheels tractors dedicated to orchards and vineyards. The Goldoni range is developed to help agricultural operators manage the entire agronomic cycle more effectively and sustainable.

As a result of those synergies and developments, at BAUMA and EIMA 2022, Keestrack is ready to launch a PRE-Series model of a FULL ELECTRIC driven compact tractor.

The Keestrack B1e Model will be the first 100% electric tractor ready in the market. The machine will be produced in Italy at the Goldoni Keestrack factory in Migliarina, and will be distributed in summer 2023 with a double brand: Rigitrac in Switzerland, Austria, South Tirol and South Germany while the Keestrack brand will be covering the rest of Europe & overseas countries already covered by the global network of Keestrack.

PRODUCT APPLICATION

Besides the traditional agricultural applications for a narrow tractor, the B series is also ideal for sectors such as maintenance of green areas and municipalities, applications in greenhouses or closed corporate environments & biological farms. It will reach its maximum potential in agri-photovoltaic applications to be able to certify the farm as a producer of clean energy in a totally zero impact environment and improving the yield and quality of agricultural production.

BENEFITS

MAXIMUM POWER COMBINED WITH MAXIMUM TORQUE

The basic concept of producing energy and power with an electric instead of endothermic motor leads to a revolution in the concept of the tractor with benefits in terms of performance and usage in the field. Basically the power is only generated when (no idle running) and where it is needed (Power Take Off, HYDRAULICS, WHEELS). The power management can be customized by the operator, depending on the use of the tractor (by selecting specific driving modes).

To obtain these performances, the B series uses 5 dedicated electric motors :

• 1 traction (35kW Peak 50kW)

• 2 for front and rear PTOs for mounted equipment (14kW + 9.5kW Peak 22kW + 15kW)

• 1 for the lifter and spool valves (15kW Peak18kW)

• 1 to the heat pump 4.5kWw

The total power that can be generated is over 80 KW, due to the intelligent management of the system, all agricultural operations can be completed even with half of the power and with maximum efficiency. The "efficiency curve" of the electric motor guarantees a the full torque from 0 rpm  and, if necessary, a power BOOST can be used which guarantees extra power and torque (150%) for 20 seconds in case extreme power is needed.

The "tank" is a battery pack of the latest generation -round cells that allow the best energy density in a good weight to energy ratio and with customized shape - positioned at the front and along the chassis of the machine to match tractor dimensions and accessibility. It creates a perfect weight balance ideal to give the best tractor stability in all conditions. This also guarantees a reserve of 50kWh which is equivalent to 4 to 6 hours of autonomy. The charging technology allows an almost complete recharge (80%) in less than 2 hours with a standart power socket. The tractor can be charged either at home or with a public charging station.

The maintenance-free batteries are liquid cooled by a system of radiators which control the correct operating temperatures .  The B “e” series is composed of 80% maintenance free components.

MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY, MINIMUM MAINTENANCE

The advantages of electric driven equipment are evident, the power supply of the machine needs almost no service maintenance. The front and rear power take-offs (PTO): are managed by 2 dedicated electric motors (14kW + 9.5kW Peak 22kW + 15kW) and allow a variable and progressive rotation speed (from 0 to 540-750-1000 rpm) adaptable to any application and terrain.

The same concept applies to the rear lift (1500 Kg lifting capacity) and to spool valves which are driven by a dedicated electric motor (15kW), it guarantees performance comparable to a Load Sensing system without the complexity of a dedicated hydraulic system and piston pump. The rear (3) and front (2) electronic spool valves can be set from the display on the machine in terms of flow and time of use.  The flow capacity is 40 l/min with dedicated oil tank of 17 litres.

The operational efficiency of the tractor is supported by a structural simplicity that implicate simple and minimal maintenance.

The investment in a Full Electric machine is earned back due to a very low total cost of ownership compared to a traditional tractor when calculated 5 years of use and considering cost of ownership like maintenance, energy costs and residual market value of the machine.

MAXIMUM OPERATOR COMFORT

The B series will be available in a cabin version. The monolithic cabin with flat floor is designed to give the operator maximum safety (ROPS and FOPS compliant), comfort, space and visibility, with a modern and minimal look.

A battery driven tractor is extremely quit as the noise traditionally comes from the internal combustion engine. If we add the pressurized monolithic cabin, the operator will be totally protected from noise and dust pollution. The driver will be able to focus his attention on the "agricultural noise": the functioning of the tractor-implements in the field to obtain high quality performance. In addition, the 5th electric motor that controls the heat pump, allows a automatic air conditioning system (adjustable on the display) to keep the temperature and ventilation always at the desired level.

An ideal driving position, with the operator's feet resting on the flat floor, and with optimal visibility thanks to the large glass area make it a perfect driving experience together with the simplicity of the internal cabin trim. All controls are enclosed in the steering wheel and in the right side armrest. Here the driving strategy, linkage and spools, PTO and differentials can be selected trough a 7 inch tablet display, fully digital.

Ergonomic comfort due to a pneumatic suspension seat which, combined with the cabin suspension (rear shock absorbers and front power silent blocks), reduces vibrations and ground bumping by 80% compared to a traditional fixed system.

COMPACT DIMENSIONS and MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE EFFICIENCY

At first glance, the new B series is the best compromise between efficiency and compactness with a wheelbase of 1728 mm, an overall width of 1322 mm, a weight of 2300 Kg with admissible load over 4300 Kg and an ideal weight balance of 45 % at the front and 55% at the rear. These compact dimensions make the machine perfect for applications in narrow rows of vineyards and orchards, greenhouses for the cultivation of vegetables as well as for the maintenance of greenery and municipalities (including historic centres with zero emissions!)

BENEFITS X APPLICATIONS

CONCLUSIONS

The B series will be ready from 2023 to enter the new world of agricultural mechanization and will be the flagship of the Keestrack group investment in agricultural machinery sector. It is the first model of a complete electric product line, Keestrack and its partners goal is to be a benchmark in sustainable energy agriculture machinery as it is today in mining, recycling and aggregates production with their mobile crushing and screening equipment