future trends in equipment

[brain55]

In writing my business plan one of the topics is "future industry trends". I have my own ideas but wanted to see what others had to say. I expect the "green" movement to follow into the equipment world. Obviously we are seeing the push for lower emissions with the Tier IV engine and I believe Caterpillar and others are experimenting with Hybrids, Electrics, and Fuel Cell technologies. Right or wrong good or bad these thing will likely be explored further. Are there any other things you think we might see.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[dave1949]

I would expect more communications penetration into equipment service.

It's pretty dorky to have some member posting here on how do I decode this or that message on the newer tractors. I don't mean the member is dorky, the method is. As the controls on equipment become more complex, the method of service needs to keep pace.

Ten to fifteen years ago, equipment in large computer systems started using "phone home" technology. If there was a serious error, the unit would place a call to the service center with some diagnostic info. With greater mobile communications capability now, that could be applied to equipment, for all I know maybe it is already.

It could be set up like OnStar. During the warranty period it is part of the package, you can extend that service for a fee after that has expired. Maybe not something your average hobby user would pay for, but if it reduces downtime for large operators, they could justify the cost.

 

[smstonypoint]

How about robotics -- unmanned farm equipment? I've seen experimental machines featured on some of the farm shows on TV and in articles in the farm press.

Steve

 

[D7E]

How about robotics -- unmanned farm equipment? I've seen experimental machines featured on some of the farm shows on TV and in articles in the farm press.

Steve

AGRITECHNICA 2011 Gold Medaille: Guide Connect "Electronic Drawbar" (AGCO GmbH - Fendt) - YouTube

 

[forgeblast]

I would think that in areas where natural gas is being developed you will see more engines switched over. Imagine being able to refuel at your house vs paying to have diesel trucked in.

 

[MossRoad]

Its my understanding that rural farms run on electricity, diesel and propane, not compressed natural gas, which is what they are converting engines to in cities for better emissions. There may not be a supply of natural gas at rural homes, and even if there is, you'd have to purchase compression equipment and storage tanks. On large farms, you'd have to get a mobile CNG tanker to refill your equipment in the field, VS the much safer and less expensive diesel transfer tanks and pumps. I don't see large farms converting their equipment to CNG in the near or distant future. Nor do I see road construction equipment converting either. The only things I do see converting to CNG is in-town delivery vehicles, city maintenance vehicles and machinery, police and fire vehicles, etc...

 

[bcp]

... I expect the "green" movement to follow into the equipment world. Obviously we are seeing the push for lower emissions...

Zero emission green tractors:





Bruce

 

[powerpace]

My Dad worked on a Rice farm and Almond orchard that used mainly Propane fuel crawlers and tractors. This was in the early sixtys.
My Brother is a agriculture equipment mechanic. Has been for many years. Mainly Harvestors for Peas and grass seed. He say's that most everything in use today was thought about or was in the experimental stage decades ago. Just refined as the technology is improved and accepted.

Steyr Presents Dedicated Natural Gas Tractor | NGV Global

 

[MossRoad]

My Dad worked on a Rice farm and Almond orchard that used mainly Propane fuel crawlers and tractors. This was in the early sixtys.
My Brother is a agriculture equipment mechanic. Has been for many years. Mainly Harvestors for Peas and grass seed. He say's that most everything in use today was thought about or was in the experimental stage decades ago. Just refined as the technology is improved and accepted.

Steyr Presents Dedicated Natural Gas Tractor | NGV Global

Very interesting. Perhaps it will happen sooner than I expect.
I wonder if biogas plants at crop farms are plausible or is it only at ones with animal operations? Something to think about business-wise.

 

[powerpace]

Very interesting. Perhaps it will happen sooner than I expect.
I wonder if biogas plants at crop farms are plausible or is it only at ones with animal operations? Something to think about business-wise.

Biogas production is more advanced in third world countrys. India has had a Biogas push from the fifties. I have a book about the Indian government efforts in developing this simple technology on small farms for energy for farm engines and home use. I will try to find that title.

 

[dave1949]

Biogas production is more advanced in third world countrys. India has had a Biogas push from the fifties. I have a book about the Indian government efforts in developing this simple technology on small farms for energy for farm engines and home use. I will try to find that title.

These people are still having success with their food waste + manure anerobic biogas digester.
Exeter farm uses poop to produce energy — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine



Fosters.com, Dover NH, Rochester NH, Portsmouth NH, Laconia NH, Sanford ME

“We combined about 7.3 million gallons of cow manure with food waste in our first year, allowing us to produce 5.2 million kilowatt hours of electricity for the grid,” said Adam Wintle, managing partner of Biogas Energy Partners (Biogas Energy Partners), the development arm of Exeter Agri-Energy. “That’s good in itself, but our ‘secret recipe’, so to speak, is what has the industry taking notice.”

"Wintle said the Maine project is the only one of its kind in New England that “co-digests” manure and food waste on a large scale. That presents Maine with a future opportunity to divert large amounts of food waste away from landfills and into energy production. He said the project has already created three full times jobs, and has allowed his family to begin considering future expansion of energy production and farm-associated ventures."

 

[aczlan]

"Wintle said the Maine project is the only one of its kind in New England that “co-digests” manure and food waste on a large scale. That presents Maine with a future opportunity to divert large amounts of food waste away from landfills and into energy production. He said the project has already created three full times jobs, and has allowed his family to begin considering future expansion of energy production and farm-associated ventures."

Mason-Dixon farms in PA runs a digester for their lagoons which provides enough gas to provide all of their power and sell some back to the utility.
American Farm :: Mason Dixon Farms in third decade of making energy from manure
Mason Dixon Farms
Mason Dixon Farm Freestall Setup - YouTube

When we went through, they were also experimenting with a 3 phase 480v generator on the crank of some of their tractors and then running power back to the implement instead of using a PTO and hydraulics.

Aaron Z

 

[Deerherd]

How about robotics -- unmanned farm equipment? I've seen experimental machines featured on some of the farm shows on TV and in articles in the farm press.

Steve

I hope not, I really LIKE driving my tractor!:laughing:

 

[dave1949]

Mason-Dixon farms in PA runs a digester for their lagoons which provides enough gas to provide all of their power and sell some back to the utility.
American Farm :: Mason Dixon Farms in third decade of making energy from manure
Mason Dixon Farms
Mason Dixon Farm Freestall Setup - YouTube

When we went through, they were also experimenting with a 3 phase 480v generator on the crank of some of their tractors and then running power back to the implement instead of using a PTO and hydraulics.

Aaron Z

I guess there are many ways that digester power could be put to farm use. Irrigation pumps, grain dryers, feed grinders, ventilation fans, milk chillers, etc.

Large capital investment needed, but if thought about strategically; "If power is dirt cheap, what can I do with it?", it leads to all sorts of synergies. Greenhouses, aqua/hydroponics for example are energy intensive.

 

[forgeblast]

GM sells a home refuel center for cng, also most of the gas wells around here in pa are rural. I have one going in at the top of my property in a few weeks.
I saw on rfdtv a show on the mason dixon farm it was great.