RESULTS OF THE 2015 SIMA INNOVATION AWARDS

The greatest agricultural innovations are at SIMA!

Discover the results of SIMA Innovation Awards 2015: 2 Gold medals, 3 Silver medals and 18 Special mentions

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CLAAS, GOLD MEDAL OF THE SIMA INNOVATION AWARDS 2015

Title: Panoramic cab

Product trade name:PANORAMIC camp for new ARION 400

Summary: The new cab structure of the ARION T4f offers an optimal view of the front loader and/or front lift, thanks to a wide continuous 90° field of vision. Despite the fact that there are no side rails in the field of vision, this cab is compliant with the standards for protection against falling objects (FOPS).

 The new cab structure of the ARION T4f offers an optimal view of the front loader and/or front lift, thanks to a wide continuous 90° field of vision.

The main characteristic is that it has successfully eliminated the upper horizontal crosspiece, which until now has been essential for successfully passing regulatory tests for protection against falling objects. From the floor to the roof, the large windscreen of 2.41 m² provides optimal visibility from the driver's seat. No blind angles obstruct the driver's visibility of his/her loader, making it possible to be always seated in the most comfortable position. All of the repetitive movements causing cervical and lumbar fatigue are therefore eliminated, as is the resulting backache. It is remarkable progress in terms of prevention, safety, comfort and productivity.

JOHN DEERE, GOLD MEDAL OF THE SIMA INNOVATION AWARDS 2015

Title:  High-speed precision seed drill

Product trade name: EXACTEMERGE SEED DRILL

Summary: The ExacEmerge seed drill is a pneumatic seed drill fitted with a vertical conveyor system for placing the seeds at the base of the furrow with a nil horizontal speed. This system allows high working speeds (up to 20 km/h) while providing precision and quality of work that is better than that of conventional single-seed drills.

On this seed drill, the descent tube is replaced by a brush-belt. The seeds are actively transferred from the dispensing system to the belt, which transports them at controlled vertical speed to the base of the furrow.

The speeds of the dispensing element and the brush-belt for each sowing element are driven at the speed of advance. The seeds are placed at the base of the furrow with a nil horizontal speed, avoiding any risk of rebound and rolling. The speed determined at the level of the dispenser is fully complied with, including at high working speeds (up to 20 km/h).

The electric drive to the sowing elements can be manually or automatically cut off (edges, points).

It also allows automatically or manually varying the density of sowing (according to a pre-established map). Lastly, it opens the way, eventually, to row-by-row adjustment.

The seed counter fitted on each sowing element provides a display in the cabin, via the SeedStar console, of the essential parameters, such as: row spacing (row by row), momentary sowing density and the surface that has been sown. The sowing parameters can be transmitted in real time via Wireless Data Transfer and recorded on the portal MyJohnDeere.com, and the user can thus obtain a very precise map of the quality of the sowing (map showing missing and duplicated areas, the speed of work, the support pressure,…). 

BERTHOUD, SILVER MEDAL OF THE SIMA INNOVATION AWARDS 2015

Title: Secure pesticide-products intake

Product trade name:B-safe

Summary: Secured system for the intake of liquid pesticide products into the crop spraying machine directly from the original product drums, then efficiently cleaning them. The introduction of the various products, and complete rinsing, is done without contact with the operator or the surrounding environment.  

The B-safe system from BERTHOUD offers a secure solution for introducing pesticide products into crop spraying machines. The introduction of the various liquid products, and complete rinsing, is done without contact with the operator or the surrounding environment. This solution can equip all crop spraying machines, whether new or already in service, and is distinguished by its ease of use and adaptability to most of the product drums available on the market.

The system, which requires manual implementation, is composed of four separate parts: an adaptation handle, a rinsing jet tube, a Venturi and two quick connectors. This system was developed to connect to all appliances having an intake hopper, while leaving the option for the operator to continue to use this intake hopper for solid products.

B-safe thus eliminates the following known risks of contamination and pollution: – drum lid dirty – risk of overturning the drum after opening – product inhalation – splashes projected onto the operator and around the hopper – splashes projected when rinsing the drum.

JOHN DEERE, SILVER MEDAL OF THE SIMA INNOVATION AWARDS 2015

Title:  Fully automated connection system

Product trade name: AUTOCONNECT

Summary: The AutoConnect system is a complete automatic-connection solution for driven tools which includes the automated systems for reversing the tractor towards the tool (AutoBackUp), for connection and locking this connection, and the rules for this (AutoSetUp). All of the servo-mechanisms (power take-off, hydraulic and pneumatic hoses, electrical connections and Isobus) are automatically connected.

The AutoConnect system is composed, on the tractor side, of a telescopic lifting hook equipped with a sphere, and, around the shaft of the power take-off, a plate carrying various female plugs, and at the rear of the cab, two cameras. On the tool side, a block is easily and quickly fitted on the original boom, including the female half-sphere, a plate carrying the male plugs and centralisers, and a support for the universal joint for the power take-off. The electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic servo-mechanisms for the tool are connected to this plate. An inclined panel with black and white squares is used as a target for the cameras. The whole acts as a hydraulic jack for the tool. Assembly does not require any modification to the tool.

To connect, the driver reverses the tractor roughly in line with the axis. Within less than 10 m from the tool, he/she triggers the manoeuver from his/her console. The cameras, acting on the tractor's transmission and steering, guide it towards the tool. Once the boom has been connected and raised, the telescopic arm retracts, connecting and then locking the power take-off and the various plugs.

KVERNELAND GROUP, SILVER MEDAL OF THE SIMA INNOVATION AWARDS 2015

Title: Non-stop combined press-baler

Product trade name:Vicon Fastbale

Summary: The Fastbale is a new-generation combined press-baler concept, fitted with a non-stop functioning system. It combines both non-stop pressing, using the combination of two roller chambers, and film wrapping in a single passage. The whole with a minimal size and the smallest measurements in its category. The productivity gain can go as high as 50%. The film wrapper includes double rotary element technology, for the first time in the horizontal position, for increased precision and speed.

The Fastbale is composed of a round bale press fitted with 2 fixed-volume chambers, alongside a double rotary-element baler with no transfer system.

The core of the bale is shaped in the pre-chamber. Then, the flow of material coming from the supply rotor and the pre-shaped bale are both sent to the larger main chamber. The bale continues its formation until it reaches the maximum diameter of 1.25 m. The flow of material is then redirected to the pre-chamber while, at the rear, binding takes place in the main chamber. When this stage is finished, the door of the press opens and the bale is transferred to the film wrapping machine by pure gravity, with no mechanical elements. Once the door is closed, the press is in its initial configuration and the cycle can continue… Then, the film wrapping begins at the rear: the double rotary elements apply the film at high speed. When the cycle is finished, the rear part of the film wrapping machine lifts up to release the bale at ground level.

The capacity of conventional presses and combined press-balers is limited by the sequence where the bale is bound and ejected, when the progress of the tractor is stopped and the work is interrupted. Fastbale overcomes these stages. Yield and usage comfort are increased. Consumption and wear are limited.

Versatility is optimal because the Fastbale can be used in all types of green or dry products, in combined press-baler mode or in pressing mode alone. In the latter case, the bale is directly placed on the ground, as with a standard press.