20 November 2019, 13:50
Two new methods of detecting animals while mowing Pöttinger is a family-owned company that is dedicated to sustainable farming and taking responsibility for the environment. In addition to the high degree of innovation required, these were the motives for developing an assistance system for detecting animals called SENSOSAFE. Following intensive testing of the technical details, the two new systems will be launched next spring at selected customers.
Especially during the first cut in the spring, young deer and other small game animals are severely at risk of being caught by mowers and being simply mown over. With SENSOSAFE, the world's first assistance system mounted directly on the mower for protecting animals , Pöttinger has achieved a pioneering development. This system was awarded the Silver Innovation Award at Agritechnica 2017. In order to meet the high quality requirements, some technical details have been further refined. The optimised system has been tested extensively by selected customers and in the company's own test department. This means that two versions of an even more effective solution can be presented at Agritechnica 2019:
Version 1 – sensor bar mounted directly on the front mower unit
The SENSOSAFE bar with improved optical sensors is fitted directly to the mower to detect fawns lying in the grass in front of the mower that may not have been spotted by the driver. When SENSOSAFE detects a fawn, it transmits a signal to the hydraulics to immediately raise the mower fully automatically. The fawn remains unharmed.
Version 2 – intermediate frame with sensor bar for rear mounted mowers
This version features an intermediate frame with a sensor bar inserted between the tractor and the front mower. The sensor bar is folded outwards in the working position. The sensor bar covers the full working of the rear mounted mower. If only a front mower is in use then the sensor bar covers the next pass. There is a sufficient space between the sensor bar and the rear mower. After receiving a signal (visual and audible), the driver can stop the tractor and climb out of the cab. The driver can also simply lift the rear mower and leave a small area uncut. Because there is no contact with the fawns, they are protected a second time: if there is any transfer of odour, the small mammals are rejected by their mother and starve to death. Pöttinger will offer this solution with SENSOSAFE in the future, regardless of the size and design of the rear mower.
The SENSOSAFE sensors have been developed especially for this application and ensure optimum detection even in broad daylight and in direct sunlight. Using an optical sensor means that the system can detect the fawn or other wild animal and differentiate between other obstacles, such as molehills.
SENSOSAFE offers enormous advantages: it protects animals, ensures higher forage quality (by preventing animal parts from entering the forage), which in turn promotes daily forage consumption and consistent milk yield as well as maintaining livestock health. The needless loss of animal lives is prevented, forage bales do not need to be rejected, and, at the same time, the work process during subsequent harvesting is simplified, increasing overall cost effectiveness as a result.
Source: PÖTTINGER Landtechnik GmbH