Applications
The tractor is the agricultural vehicle par excellence, essential for working in the fields and for many farm-related activities. Its main function is to provide the power needed to tow agricultural equipment and machinery and to carry out activities such as ploughing, sowing, harvesting and related transport operations.
Requirements:
Driving pedals position control
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Monitoring tractor-trailer rotation angles and towed accessories
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Steering angle control
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Hydraulic circuit pressure monitoring
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Hydraulic pump flow rate adjustment
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Checking the position of the three-point hitch
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Requirement:
Driving pedals position control
Accurate control of the position of the driving control pedals (e.g. accelerator) is essential to ensure efficient and safe management of tractor performance. With an accurate sensing system, it is possible to optimise engine response, improve operating comfort and reduce energy consumption. The continuous detection of the pedal position helps to increase safety, ensuring that the vehicle responds reliably and constantly to the needs of the operator.
Solution:
Gefran’s GRA rotary sensor is a robust and versatile solution that can guarantee stable performance.
- The non-contact Hall technology guarantees measurement stability and long life.
- It is available with redundant output and with different electrical interfaces, both analogue and digital.
- It is resistant to shocks, vibrations and high temperatures.
Requirement:
Monitoring tractor-trailer rotation angles and towed accessories
The monitoring of the rotation angle between tractor and trailer, as well as the angles generated with the various connected elements, plays a key role in ensuring precise and safe manoeuvres. Situations where the joints are subject to mechanical stress can be avoided through accurate angle measurements, which also reduce the risk of collisions during the turning phase and improve the overall stability of the agricultural convoy. This control promotes the more efficient management of operations and greater protection of the equipment.
Solution:
Gefran offers the GR3P angular sensor, a reliable and robust solution, typical for applications in agricultural environments.
The GR3P sensor is particularly suitable because:
- it uses non-contact Hall-effect technology, guaranteeing a long operating life.
- it is sealed with resin, for maximum protection against external agents.
- it has a high resistance to shocks, vibrations and extreme temperatures.
Requirement:
Steering angle control
Controlling the steering angle is essential to guarantee maximum precision and safety when manoeuvring a tractor. A reliable detection system allows the operator to keep the turning radius under control, optimising vehicle positioning even in confined spaces or complex terrain. This monitoring reduces the risk of instability, increases the fluidity of operations and helps to preserve the life and efficiency of the machine.
Solution:
Gefran offers the GRN rotary sensor without shaft that ensures precise and reliable steering control.
The GRN sensor is particularly suitable because:
- it uses non-contact Hall-effect magnetic technology, ideal for repetitive movements and long operating life.
- it is compact and simple to install.
- it is highly resistant to shocks, vibrations and water, ensuring consistent performance even in harsh environments.
Requirement:
Hydraulic circuit pressure monitoring
Monitoring the pressure in the hydraulic circuit is an essential requirement to ensure tractors operate correctly and maintain their operational efficiency. An accurate control system allows the prompt detection of anomalies or out-of-threshold values, preventing failures that could compromise safety and cause machine downtime. This functionality not only ensures continuity in performance but also helps to reduce maintenance costs and prolong the life in the hydraulic system components.
Solution:
KM pressure sensors allow the precise and safe control of the pressure in the hydraulic circuit through the following features:
- small size, for easier installation, even in limited spaces.
- high resistance to shocks, vibrations and high temperatures.
- SIL2/PLd certification, ensuring high standards of functional safety.
Requirement:
Hydraulic pump flow rate adjustment
The adjustment of the hydraulic pump is a fundamental aspect for the correct operation of the power systems in the machine. Accurate control of valve opening and closing allows the optimal modulation of fluid flow rate, adapting performance to real operational needs. This precise management improves the energy efficiency of the circuit and reduces component wear, increasing the overall life of the system and ensuring greater reliability and safety in operations.
Solution:
For the precise adjustment of the flow rate in the hydraulic pump, Gefran recommends the GRN angular sensor without shaft because:
- it has compact dimensions, for easy integration into small spaces.
- it is highly resistant to vibrations, ensuring stability and durability over time.
- is available with analogue and digital interfaces.
Requirement:
Checking the position of the three-point hitch
The accurate control of the position of the three-point hitch, in particular of the lower links, is crucial to ensure optimal management of the tools connected to the tractor. The precise adjustment of the angular positioning makes it possible to effectively adapt working inclination and depth, improving the quality of agricultural operations. This monitoring helps to reduce mechanical stress on the connecting elements, increasing operational efficiency and ensuring greater safety and reliability during use in the field.
To ensure the precise, accurate and reliable control of the position of the three-point hitch(and thus improve the productivity of agricultural machinery), Gefran proposes two alternative solutions:
GRA rotary sensor with shaft
- Non-contact Hall technology that guarantees measurement stability and long operating life.
- Available with redundant output and with different electrical interfaces, both analogue and digital.
- Resistant to shocks, vibrations and high temperatures.
RK5 magnetostrictive linear position transducer
- Installation inside the hydraulic cylinder, without external encumbrance.
- non-contact magnetostrictive technology, which guarantees measurement stability and long operating life.
- designed to withstand shocks, vibrations and agricultural contaminants.
Operating principle:
In a tractor, the power generated by the engine is transmitted to the moving parts and related devices, ensuring traction and operational capabilities in a wide range of agricultural and industrial applications. In addition to providing motive power, it manages complex systems such as steering, hydraulic circuits for lifting and handling, cab positioning and three-point linkage.
For all these operations to be carried out safely, accurately and efficiently, tractors must be able to rely on the constant control of mechanical, hydraulic and stability parameters.
Requirements and technology:
Tractors must integrate reliable sensor solutions that can operate in hostile environments while also being resistant to vibrations, shocks and damaging external agents.
The main technological requirements are related to:
- Driving pedals position control
- Vehicle and towed accessory tilt monitoring
- Steering angle control
- Hydraulic circuit pressure monitoring
- Hydraulic pump flow rate adjustment
- Three-point linkage position control
Gefran satisfies these requirements with a complete range of rotary, tilt, pressure and linear position sensors, designed to ensure reliability, safety and high performance in tractors and agricultural machinery.
