Page 19 - Vol.37-No.1 issue

AGRICULTURE MACHINERY

GRIMME PLANTING TECHNOLOGY PACKAGING

WITH SEVERAL INNOVATIONS MACHINERY:

GRIMME uses a new single-row con- possible by an automatic control system 2020 TURNOVER
trol system as the basis for Section Con- that adapts the frequency of dyking to
variable driving speeds. The TerraPro-
trol on the cup planters type GL 420 tect PRO offers convenient single ridge DROPS TO ¤7.6
and GL 430. This new development is a
cost-effective alternative to the common switching for each dyker and an inte-
hydraulic single row drive. grated spraying track switch-off for in- BILLION
The common drive for four plant- creased comfort.
ing elements is provided by only one
hydraulic motor, driving a continuous The seemingly unstoppable growth of
shaft. Electromagnetic clutches are now the Italian packaging machinery indus-
mounted for each individual planting try has suffered a temporary setback.
element. The planting elements can be According to the preliminary figures
switched on and off quickly and conve- compiled by MECS-Ucima (Italian Pack-
niently from the operator terminal. As an aging Machinery Manufacturers’ Associ-
option, the planting elements can be au- ation) Research Department, the sector
tomatically switched on and off by using will register an overall turnover of €7,639
Section Control, depending on the GPS The GB 430 with TerraProtect PRO million in 2020, 5% down on the result re-
position. draws dykes between the potato corded in 2019.
ridges. This figure is hardly a surprise given
the severe difficulties faced by the in-
dustry this year amid a combination of
the Covid-19 pandemic and a global
economic slowdown. Although several
key client sectors posted strong per-
formances (including Food & Beverage,
Pharma and Home & Personal Care),
these only mitigated the industry-wide
The new single row switching by use year-end losses.
of an electromagnetic clutch at each Specifically, the Italian packaging ma-
planting element. chinery manufacturers’ domestic sales
Protection against soil Construction of the TerraProtect fell by 6.8% to €1,574 million, while
erosion with GRIMME belt System with a loosening tine and a exports, which have always been the
planters following dyking-share. main source of sales for the sector, ex-
perienced a 4.5% year-on-year loss to
For the 2021 season, the GRIMME GB Operator-friendly coupling €6,065 million.
430, a four-row potato belt planter can of planter and tractor “We were expecting this slowdown,
be optionally equipped with the dyking but our sector remains robust and is
system called TerraProtect PRO (patent For easy and convenient coupling resp. looking to the future with confidence,”
pending) for erosion control in potato uncoupling of the machine, all available commented Ucima’s chairman Matteo
cultivation. drawbars for the trailed GL 430 cup-plat- Gentili. “We were well prepared for the
ers are now equipped with a hydraulic
The system TerraProtect, consists of a jack stand as standard. At the same time, Covid emergency and have demonstrat-
loosening tine with integrated stone pro- the GL 430 receives a new hose cabinet ed our strength in the face of adversity.
tection and a subsequent small dyking for the hydraulic and air connections. Our Industry 4.0 technologies allowing
device. The loosening tine loosens the Furthermore, the hose routing has been for remote plant control, testing and ser-
underground and increases the capac- optimized for simplified connection with vice have enabled us to keep in close
ity of water absorption of the soil. The the tractor. touch with our customers around the
dyking-share, adapted to the contour world. We are cautiously optimistic about
of the ridges, generates traverse-dams a return to growth in 2021, while being
(so-called dykes) for water storage. Thus aware of the strength of our competitors
preventing valuable soil from being and the uncertainty that the pandemic is
washed out during heavy rainfall. This continuing to cause in many markets.”
protects the productive soil and ensures
The launch of the National Industry 4.0
an even water supply for the crop. Plan involving an investment of around
The TerraProtect PRO works together €24 billion by the Italian government
with an intelligent control for comfort- will play an important role in promoting
able operation from the tractors cab. The investment in new technologies. Ucima
maximum protection against soil ero- The potato planter GL 430 with the welcomes this measure, which will boost
sion is achieved by an even spacing of standard, hydraulic jack stand and and speed up tax relief for companies.
the dykes, so an equal amount of water the new hose cabinet.
can be stored everywhere. This is made Circle 23 on enquiry card
Circle 22 on enquiry card
Vol. 37 No. 1 17