Rexroth components keep SAM sprayers on track
22/11/2011 Bosch Rexroth Ltd
Bosch Rexroth has supplied a unique solution to Sands Agricultural Machinery (SAM) Ltd for its innovative sliding axle crop sprayer.Rexroth has supplied microprocessor controls and display for the revolutionary SAM crop sprayer which allows the operator to automatically change track widths from the cab, to save time and therefore money. Bosch Rexroth also completed all of the programming work and assisted in commissioning the sprayer and control system. The expertise of the Rexroth team was vital in taking this unique product to market.
The user system controls eight Rexroth proportional valves which in turn drive eight hydraulic cylinders which change track width and maintain steering geometry. Each cylinder has been designed to include position feedback so it can be monitored at all times both during width setting and when the system is locked whilst travelling on the road. The solution also makes it the only crop sprayer that is legal to be on the road as it is fully compliant with the 70/311/EEC European Union Directive which requires a vehicle to be steerable in the event of hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical component failure.
The system puts operator usability first with the track width being fully adjustable from the cab. The screen displays cylinder positions and other vehicle data. This means that the machine can arrive at the field on a road-friendly track and be easily adjusted to the correct tramline width within seconds.
John Ayres of Bosch Rexroth, commented: "The sliding axel crop sprayer from SAM saves the end user time and effort as previously it would have to be adjusted manually. The mobile electronics products that Rexroth has specified make this an easy to use and advantageous solution for SAM customers and we're proud to have the company name linked to such an innovative piece of technology."
Traditionally, self-propelled crop sprayers had to continually change track widths or become set at the UK standard of 72". SAM engineers first designed a new sliding axel sprayer in 1998 that was easier to adjust manually or could be fitted with hydraulics. With wider cereal tramlines and the introduction of three-row potato bed system , the need for fully adjustable hydraulic axels soon arose. SAM approached Bosch Rexroth to achieve this product vision.
For further information please contact, please contact John Ayres
Tel: +44 (0) 1480 22 3200
Fax: +44 (0) 1480 47 0789
E-mail: john.ayres@boschrexroth.co.uk
Internet: www.boschrexroth.co.uk
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