Combined Powers Krone and Lemken autonomous system on field demo
Launched today, the joint design concept between Krone and Lemken, Combined Powers, is an autonomous tractor unit designed to carry out cultivating, ploughing, sowing, mowing, tedding and raking. After successfully completing a series of in-field trials last year, the system was demonstrated in a field close to the Krone headquarters in Spelle, Germany.
The unit first operated the 4m Krone EasyCut F 400 fold front mower. After completing the mowing the unit was then changed over for tedding using the Vendro 820. The second unit on display demonstrated its cultivating abilities using Lemken equipment – an 8-row Azurit 10 K 8 precision drill and an adapted Karat 10 cultivator. Both of the prototype units impressed with their excellent quality or work, high work rates and traction as well as plenty of lugging power and superb soil protection.
The weight of the 2.7m wide and 2.6m high unit is between 7.5t and 8t depending on the implement attached. Fitted with 23inch wheels all-round, the autonomous tractor unit is powered by a fuel-electric drive and delivers 170kW (230hp) – enough to take on any of the tasks it is designed to carry out. This level of versatility guarantees excellent year-round utilisation.
The story behind the innovation
The autonomous tractor unit was designed with the specific requirements of cultivating, ploughing, sowing, mowing, tedding and raking in mind. Its diesel engine develops a maximum power of 170kW (230hp) which is transferred electrically to the wheels and pto. The attachments are coupled to a three-point linkage, and the base machine boasts multiple and extensive sensor systems which monitor the immediate surroundings and the attachments. Operators control and monitor the unit from a mobile device, sending jobs and job reports through via the established agrirouter data exchange hub. The overall design focus is on safe operation and optimum work results.
Surprisingly the autonomous tractor unit is controlled by the attachment, not the other way round. A primary requirement for achieving the best work results was to ensure that the attachment and unit behave like on smart unit. The expansive knowledge and experience in the application of ISOBUS and TIM on both Krone and Lemken machines has greatly benefitted the development of the unit, ensuring that the drive unit and the implement communicate and interact, sharing literally all types of data.
A further advantage of the Combined Powers design concept is the solution it offers to the increasing lack of skilled labour in agriculture. Farmers will no longer be required to spend long days working in the field, but can act as a system operator, monitoring the unit as it consistently delivers accurate and high quality work. The autonomous tractor unit’s versatility and and longevity enables its owners to operate the unity in all seasons, and for a long time. Intensive trials in all conditions, as well as user feedback from farmers and contractors, will continue this year.
Further information is available at http://www.combined-powers.com/
