Feb 15, 2008 12:00 PM, By Karen McMahon and Jodie Wehrspann

Sensorics

A new word has been added to the vocabulary. Pronounced sen-SORE-icks, the term is used to describe the sensor industry. Sensorics may not be a word you've heard of, but it's a hot topic among rocket-science types like those at the University of Illinois who are studying how to use sensors to make smart equipment. Sensors and sensorics have become such a big topic that an entire conference last year was devoted to this area of research.

Smart implements

Tractor cabs have been equipped with electronics for decades. But now the implements pulled behind them are getting hardwired, too, to give them just as much intelligence. Sensors are being added to every moving part of the implement to help it track and operate in the most optimum way. The sensors log information like ground speed, depth of tillage, number of seeds planted, and amount of fertilizer applied.

Strip-tillage

Conferences on strip-till were packed last year showing that interest in this form of minimum tillage is high. No-tillers like it because it provides them a more aggressive way to get rid of residue, and even conventional tillers are interested because of potential fuel savings. Shortline manufacturers led the relatively young strip-till equipment market. But recently, major manufacturers like Case IH-DMI and John Deere have joined in, which some say adds to the validity of this tillage method.

Tier 4

With Tier 3 diesel emission standards now in effect for large row-crop tractors, manufacturers are already working on engine designs to meet Tier 4. This next tier, to be fully phased in by 2015, calls for an even greater reduction in the amount of soot and nitrous oxide allowable in diesel exhaust. “The way I describe it is if you drove through a large city on a smoggy day with a Tier 4 engine, the air coming out of the tractor would be cleaner than the air coming in,” says Jim Wienkes, John Deere tractor engineering manager.

Getting the engine and tractor to meet the new Tier 4 rules is difficult. “If the engineering challenge to meet Tier 3 was a factor of 1, Tier 4 is going to be a factor of 3,” Wienkes says. Engineers have several methods they can use to create cleaner-burning engines, but each has its own set of trade-offs. Expect to see Tier 4 engines available on some 2009 tractors.

Tracks

The track market for tractors is alive and well and John Deere wants to make sure we know this. Deere launched a new type of track last year that it says will put it back on the map in the world of tracks. The new track system combines the benefits of a quad track with a two-track setup. After-market companies are putting the same concept to work on other brand vehicles, hoping to achieve high flotation levels.

Utility vehicles

Once considered glorified golf carts, utility vehicles have undergone a metamorphosis. Just look at the makeover of John Deere's Gator. The new XUV now fits into the category of “sporty” UVs that includes the Yamaha Rhino, Polaris Ranger and Arctic Cat Prowler. Even Kawasaki has added a new, powerful UV to its lineup with its 750cc Teryx. With the farm population aging and the price of pickups increasing, more growers are willing to pop for a $10,000 UV because it more closely mimics a pickup than an ATV does. The UV can head to the field with passengers or pull plenty of weight. And the operator doesn't have to swing a leg over the back end to get on it. UVs will be the new ATVs of the next decade.
View FIN's ATV/UV archive

Variable-rate technology

We know you've been hearing about VRT for years. But now the technology is getting very precise with rate control by the nozzle and planter row. The majority of growers haven't used VRT, but they probably will in the next decade. (See “Precision payoff,” February 2008)

Vegetable-oil engine

Imagine dousing your salad with the same oil that you put into your tractor for diesel fuel. What may sound crazy now is much closer than you think. In Europe, Deutz developed the first diesel engine that runs on rapeseed (canola) oil. Farmers can raise their own rapeseed, run it through a rapeseed mill on the farm, and put it in a fuel tank for the tractor. A tractor from Same Deutz-Fahr and one from Fendt are equipped with the new vegetable-oil engine. In addition, Deutz is testing engines with soybean and sunflower oil.

There also was a tractor several decades ago that could use fuel oil. That just proves there are few new ideas — just recycled ones.

Virtual terminal

Office workers wouldn't think of having to deal with multiple computers on their desktop. But that's what farmers have had to deal with for years, says George Huber of Trimble. One tractor cab could be populated with as many as a half dozen different monitors if different brands of electronics were used. The cab clutter was coined “monitor wallpaper,” by Marvin Stone of Oklahoma State University. Finally, the wallpaper is coming down, thanks to advancements in electronics. The industry is moving toward a do-all screen called a “virtual terminal” that can be used to monitor the tasks from many brands of task controllers.

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