Trends in agricultural engineering 2023

• Stefan Böttinger, Head of Department of Fundamentals of Agricultural Engineering, University of Hohenheim takes a look at agricultural trends in advance of Agritechnica 2023 in Hanover, Germany from 12 to 18 November.

Agritechnica will be showcasing many interesting innovations in addition to numerous new products. Certain trends can be determined in the evolution of agricultural machinery in the various areas.

The trend towards increasing efficiency, environmental protection and resource conservation is continuing in fertilisation technology in order to ensure the most efficient fertiliser application with the lowest possible nutrient loss. One essential element of further developments is the integration of automation technology and simplifications in the operation and control of the application systems. There are numerous new and further developments in this regard in the area of centrifugal and pneumatic fertiliser spreaders and the application of liquid and solid farm manure.

In addition to simple operation, uniform seed bed preparation and consistent seed depth placement are of particular importance in sowing technology. Row seeding systems with singling and also precision seeding systems are gaining in importance. This year, automatic coulter pressure adjustment is an additional topic for innovations in row seeding. Another innovation trend is the simultaneous application of seed in order to meet the requirements for multiple crops on the field.

One of the focuses in machinery and equipment for plant protection is the optimisation of efficiency, i.e. through front-mounted tank systems, increased container volumes or self-propelled vehicles. In order to reduce the use of crop protection agents, many hoes are being enabled to operate even more precisely by means of camera control and moving frames. This objective can also be achieved through spot application. One trend is clearly evident across all spraying systems: the operating rate of the sprayer can and must be further increased. Electronic aids are a crucial factor in achieving this. Very extensive activity can be seen in the area of autonomous systems, where numerous possible solutions are being developed. In the area of nozzles, systems that operate reliably and can be used to implement various options are now available for pulse width-modulated nozzles.

In view of the CO2 problem, focus in the tractor segment has shifted to combustion engines for alternative fuels. In the area of gas engines, LNG engine concepts can now also advance to become a suitable drive option in farming thanks to new LNG tanks. Battery technology is constantly being evolved. Vehicles equipped with this are first and foremost likely to be suitable for light and medium-duty applications. Conversely, fuel cell drives are still in their infancy, whereas hybrid models might be a solution for medium or larger tractors. Gearboxes are undergoing evolutionary further development. Adaptations in vehicle technology and further developments in comfort functions can also be observed.

Manufacturers are presenting numerous innovations in the area of threshing crop harvesting. Important innovations in threshing and separating as well as for ensuring performance stability and work quality are being presented in combine harvesters. Power density with limited installation space and automation are continuing to increase. The trend towards harvesting headers such as belt cutting systems that can be adapted to diverse conditions is continuing as is the trend towards an increased power density and the automation of combine harvesters. When harvesting on the flat and on lateral slopes, performance stability and work quality are being further increased through control technologies and semi-automated calibration technologies.

Optoelectronic sorting systems are increasingly being used in the preparation of ware potatoes. In the case of combined units consisting of soil tillage, planting and ridging tools, the separate adjustment or use of the assemblies facilitates adaptation to changing operating conditions during potato field cultivation. Technical development in the area of mechanical potato cultivation has not yet achieved the dynamic pace seen with other crops, e.g. sugar beets. In addition to halum plucking machines, thermal flame weeding devices and electric halum desiccation are available for completely chemical-free haulm reduction procedures.

The self-propelled beet harvester with bunker – usually with 6 and 9 rows, also often with 12 rows – is the standard in beet harvesting. All manufacturers are working on detailed improvements focusing above all on lower vehicle weights with a longer wearing part service life and cost savings. Telemetry support and integrated weighing systems are optimising the process chain, serve to ensure monitoring and provide assistance in maintenance and service. Initial project results for the sensor-controlled automation of lifting tools to relieve the driver’s workload are being launched onto the market.

From mowing to harvesting, all developments are aimed at handling the harvested crop according to its intended use and at increasingly relieving the drivers’ workload. This includes front-mounted mower control that is adjusted to the inclination and curve as well as automatic mower conditioner adjustment. The cutting qualities of self-loading trailers are aimed at a lower percentage of excessive lengths. The objective of round balers with a variable bale chamber is bales with the same dry matter content while the goals of forage harvesters are consistent cutting qualities and a very high throughput. Dimensionally stable, gas-tight round bales remain the ultimate goal for nets and wrapping films.

The trends towards the increased use of digital systems and IT remain clearly recognisable both in agriculture and in the upstream and downstream sectors. The innovations range from tramline planning and machine automation and from management systems and apps to irrigation, crop protection and fertilisation management. Focus is usually placed on the optimisation of entire production systems while increasing work performance and quality at the same time. The trend towards cross-manufacturer solution approaches is clearly recognisable.

The manufacturers continue to succeed in making even higher work rates and improved work quality possible with their machines and implements. Intelligent machine concepts are enabling higher work rates within the installation space that is limited by the German Vehicle Licensing Regulations (StVZO). Electric drives are improving the machines’ dynamics and reducing their CO2 emissions. The increased use of cameras and other sensors in combination with intelligent evaluation is making operation of the machines and implements easier and is ensuring a consistently high quality of work thanks to assistance systems and automation.

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