Espaço Agrishow: ZF participates in Agrishow 2018 and launches Narrow Axle for tractors from 25 to 70 hp

ZF participates in Agrishow 2018, which takes place between April 30th and May 04th in Ribeirão Preto, SP. The company will exhibit a complete portfolio of solutions for the South American agricultural market, and this year it brings to the region the new Narrow Axle, which is part of the Kintra series narrow portal axle portfolio to equip tractors from 25 to 70 hp. The novelty is the result of ZF's new joint venture with YTO, one of the main manufacturers of machines for the construction and agricultural sectors in China. In addition to equipment such as the renowned TSA23 Axle, ZF will complete the exhibition with cabin shock absorbers, clutches and Torque Rod for Sprayers. The brand's advances in the area of ​​connectivity, artificial intelligence and automation will also be the focus of its presence during the event. The company takes the opportunity to virtually demonstrate its semi-autonomous concept tractor, the result of the partnership it closed with the Austrian agricultural machinery manufacturer Lindner in 2017. Electrification is another topic that will be worked on by ZF during Agrishow, through the demonstration of systems for electrification of agricultural tractors, based on the new TERRA+ generator module.

New Kintra Axle - Narrow for tractors from 25 to 70 hp – After celebrating the production of 500 axles at its headquarters plant, located in Sorocaba, SP, ZF brings to its agricultural portfolio a new line of axles intended for small tractors . The Kintra series narrow portal axle portfolio is produced by ZF YTO. One of its main features is the combination of free space and wide steering angle, which offer a high degree of maneuverability in off-road applications. The “shielded” concept, where there is no passage of rotating elements outside the housings, makes for an efficient sealing system that is less sensitive to wear.

The axle portfolio has six models that can equip tractors from 25 to 70 hp in the most diverse applications, where smaller turning radii and compact design are key factors, due to space restrictions during operation.

According to Silvio Furtado, Sales Director at ZF South America, the objective is to expand the portfolio of solutions for the Brazilian agricultural area, which is constantly expanding and modernizing, and to serve small tractors intended for all types of operations in the field: “With the new family of axles, we have expanded supply to the agricultural and construction sectors, which previously ranged from 75 to 240 horsepower and were now sold at 25 horsepower.”

TSA 23 axis – The axis launched by ZF during the previous edition of Agrishow will also be taken to this year's exhibition, as it is a product with a level of technology and developed so that the producer obtains better performance from his machine combined with a even greater precision. “The market's receptivity to the TSA 23 Axis launched during the last edition of Agrishow was very positive, since it was a product with design and application developed entirely by product engineering in Brazil with support from other areas of the company, but mainly in line with the needs of the end customer and car manufacturers”, assesses Silvio Furtado. “The result of this development brought guarantees in productivity, reduction of waste and maintenance expenses”, explains the executive.

This is an axle model with a level of applied technology when compared to others, because the equipment brings the most modern technology required in the field. The TSA23 Axle was created to equip agricultural tractors with a power range between 160 and 240hp with new features for the Brazilian market. One of its main attributes is the steering sensor built into the side housing. The technology interfaces with the car manufacturers' GPS and works to always keep the tractor on the correct route. In cases of deviation from the path, the sensor corrects the steering angle so that the tractor returns to the stipulated route, without damaging the crop.

The sensor cables are located inside the axle housing, which prevents damage to cabling and connections, increases product reliability and reduces machine downtime for maintenance due to damage inherent to the most severe applications in the agricultural work environment. Furthermore, the axle offers the possibility of working with front implements due to its load capacity, optimizing the operation of the tractor, which can, at the same time, use the rear implement.

The location of the sensor, close to the wheels, allows for even more accurate precision. Due to the greater accuracy and better steering angle, the producer reduces waste caused by the crushing of the plantation when the tractor travels through the plantation, increasing its productivity. The steering system with 180 bar pressure guarantees even more safety and comfort for the operator while driving.

In its development, the TSA 23 Axle received a new cardan support system that guarantees a load capacity of up to 25% greater than current axle versions. As an option on its axles, ZF offers a limited-slip differential, widely used in the Brazilian market, and also the option of hydraulic differential lock activated by the tractor operator. This is yet another advantage over other solutions on the market.

Another difference with ZF is the fact that it does not have a standard axis, and allows the product to be customized according to the customer's needs. In other words, the manufacturer can define the specific differential reduction for each tractor model, choose whether to use the steering sensor or not, and even opt for a self-locking differential or a hydraulic locking differential, for example.

Because it can be used in more severe applications, the TSA23 Axis, as is the case with the TSA09, received a special seal. This allows it to operate without suffering damage on irrigated land, such as rice crops, on machines that receive implements such as loaders and on highly compacted soils.

The TSA Driven Axle family is made up of TSA20 and TSA23 Axles in rigid and suspended versions. These models suit applications on tractors with powers of 160 – 240 hp. The TSA09 is intended for tractors with power up to 90 hp. An important advantage is that the TSA Family has a wide network of parts throughout Brazil.

Lindner Tractor – In partnership with the Austrian automaker Lindner, ZF developed the prototype of a semi-autonomous concept tractor that integrates the various solutions available in its product portfolio, exploring the megatrends of connectivity, artificial intelligence and automation.

The prototype is based on the Lindner Lintrac 90 tractor, which ZF equipped with a combination of radar and lidar cameras and sensors, following the “See-Think-Act” concept, the signals are processed by the ZF Pro AI control platform that operates through of deep learning, mapping a 360° environment with recognition of the presence of people, processing actions that prioritize safety and productivity and executing commands through connectivity with the Driveline and Powertrain controls.

An additional GPS module connected to the steering system and the ZF TMT09 CVT transmission makes the automation of several processes possible, and can even be activated through an application installed on a tablet.

The technology contained in this concept tractor opens the door to many features, revealing a tractor capable of learning. The tractor has an assistance system that detects sharp edges, field boundaries and lanes – for example rows of crops – and automatically keeps the tractor on the right path. This makes the process and system easier and more efficient for the driver. And the journey itself is safer thanks to the tractor's wide vision system. The farmer can still see everything that is happening around him through the tractor's large windows, but can easily monitor it using a practical tablet in the driver's cabin. While working in the field, the tractor “learns” the route and stores it for later use. This means that after completing the first journey, the tractor can work in the field automatically, without needing a driver. Thanks to the identification of objects and people, the system is always monitoring safety while moving around the environment.

For Silvio Furtado, “this technology will make work easier for operations on extensive lands, as happens in South America, for example”. The application could be ideal for work on large farms, but also for smaller farms, which can benefit from the concept tractor's capabilities. One feature that is especially practical is “follow me”. With this feature activated, the tractor follows another tractor in front of it automatically. If the two vehicles are equipped with different tools, this can be used to save time, completing two stages at the same time by making just one trip, for example.

Electric-Assisted Plowing – There are also other approaches to increasing efficiency in the field by reducing fuel consumption and operating in an environmentally friendly manner. For example, ZF has integrated its eTRAC near-wheel electric drive system with the plow. The TERRA+ generator control module, which was also developed by ZF, powers the edrive unit. The result is additional traction, which makes work easier in adverse conditions, such as when the ground is soft. The additional power provided by eTRAC also means that a smaller engine tractor can pull a larger plow – which means productivity. After all, soil compaction by heavy equipment is a widespread problem for crops.

Electrification in Agricultural Tractors – ZF provides complete systems for the electrification of agricultural tractors, based on the new TERRA+ generator module. The system comprises an efficient module that is integrated into the transmission housing. It can be used as a generator for peripheral components and implements, providing up to 70 kW of electrical power.

In addition, ZF provides controller units for efficient energy management of the hybrid system. The integration between generator, combustion and electric engines and controller unit always maintains operational parameters at the highest efficiency levels.

Around 5% reduction in consumption can be achieved with on-demand energy management, linked to increased productivity and tractive force, in addition to reducing CO2 emissions.

With additional power generation, more work can be generated without the need to use a larger tractor, reducing operating costs and even minimizing soil compaction.

With electric wheel reducers, ZF has developed a solution for off-road operations, meeting applications with the highest technological requirements. The system consists of replacing the conventional Driveline with individual electric motors, arranged on both the tractor and trailer or implement wheels, providing high traction efficiency of the composition on uneven terrain and slopes of up to 30%.

Clutch assembly – The ZF clutch assembly will once again be on display at Agrishow. The equipment guarantees greater durability to the machines' powertrain and greater comfort during gear changes, thanks to the tractional and axial damping system used in the clutch disc. To further increase the quality of the equipment that receives the set, the drive bearing is highly durable and the clutch plateau, which was fully optimized for the agricultural machine, reduces the effort of activating the pedal and actuator.

Cab dampers for an even smoother ride – Also present at Agrishow 2018 will be two models of cab damping systems, CALM and Steel Spring. Both are available in pneumatic or mechanical options and are completely sealed, which makes it impossible for them to be impacted by dirt or external influences. The shock absorbers' integrated sensors make them act according to terrain fluctuations, ensuring greater comfort for the operator while driving the machine. Because they have a smaller number of components, shock absorbers take up less installation space.