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Compared to the most common crops, the production of medicinal plants is quite profitable. Nevertheless, specific mechanization is still very low, and the machinery used are often modified versions of machines designed for other functions

The use of machines that simultaneously carry out the cutting and processing of the forage reduces the drying time while keeping a high-quality level. There is a wide choice of options among the specific cutting and conditioning technologies provided by the manufacturing industries

The springs are common application in the technic, and are used for very different purposes. In agricultural mechanics they play a fundamental role, also as working tools. In this case, the wear to which they are subjected can be minimized thanks to thanks to special treatments of the steel with which they are manufactured

The variable-rate fertilizer spreader is usually characterized by the presence of different devices: independent dose adjustment for each delivery disk. The system, usually defined as EMC (Electronic Mass flow Control), is based on the continuous correction of the position of...

The performance characteristics of the agricultural equipment's metal parts are, sometimes, extremely different even, in some ways, conflicting with each other. The careful selection of special and high-strength steels allows to effectively reconcile the various needs

Compared to traditional haymaking, the wrapping of semi-wilted forage bales effectively creates mini-silos, with several advantages regarding the quantity and quality of the product. The wrapping machines on the market today offer various alternatives for carrying out this routine, including the simultaneous packing and wrapping, in many cases with a high degree of automation

Harvesting of many fresh fruit and vegetables is still exclusively carried out by hand to better maintain its organoleptic characteristics and, above all, its storage life. Although somewhat a little slowly, robotics begins to offer interesting alternative solutions

Precision feeding plays an increasingly important role in livestock farms, effectively supporting farmers for the distribution of optimal and constant rations over time, thanks to the quality and quantity monitoring of each food, and subsequently the mixing and distribution of the ration in the feed lane

The management of the vine shoots can be done with two different methods to be assessed in relation to the environmental impact calculated with the life cycle analysis (Life Cycle Assessment). A research activity carried out at a social winery in the Oltrepò Pavese area, which works the grapes produced in an area of about 600 hectares, has allowed comparing the different methods and results

Agricultural mechanics have always gone hand in hand with agronomic techniques, providing technological solutions to make work more efficient and the use of productive means more rational. A combination that has made it possible to meet the historical needs of an ever-changing agriculture that will continue to do so in future, consolidating development models able of rationalizing the use of natural resources through innovation and research

This article describes the functional and structural characteristics of parking jacks for agricultural equipment and illustrates the static and dynamic test procedures to achieve the certification of compliance with safety and reliability requirements laid down by the relevant standard ISO 12140 "Agricultural machinery, agricultural trailers and trailed equipment, drawbar jacks

Ditch excavation machinery is normally used to improve drainage in soils subjected to water stagnation, but it is also useful for digging furrows to lay pipes for underground irrigation. The manufacturers have developed models and accessories able to satisfy all the needs

The use of mechanical means is the evolution of a strategic way to decisive increase the productivity of the crop. There are now many cultivars adapted for the proper use of shakers which assure maximum yields

The definition of the optimal mechanization level of the forestry site must take into account many parameters, including the environmental ones. National forestry businesses need machinery suitable for the terrain and for the extent of the area

The sector of tractors for specialized crops has always been "made in Italy". It is a segment that Italian manufacturers still lead, even if some foreign firms with technologically competitive products have come to the fore in the last few years. The particular uses for which these machines are intended impose different characteristics compared to traditional tractors in terms of design, of the engine aspects and of the driving position

Whether in leafs or as a head of lettuce, in the open field or in protected scraps, lettuce production makes use of particularly advanced solutions, such as aeroponic cultivation and the application of artificial intelligence. In any case, with a high level of mechanization

The movement required for natural drying in the field represents a critical step for hay quality. Specialized companies are developing, also in the context of European research programs, systems aimed at optimizing operations, preserving the best properties of the zootechnical food

Most of the power band of the tractors known as "wildcard" or "utility", is around 75 kW. They are means designed to offer maximum operating versatility, and to be able to adapt to the most different working situations. These tractors offer a broad range of variability in terms of possible configurations, both for the driving position, as for the engines, the transmissions, and the hydraulic systems, as well as for the axles and the braking systems

Designed to carry out operations of arrangement and maintenance of the wooded areas, the shredders and milling machinery represent a particularly interesting segment in the field of agricultural mechanics. The difference between a forest shredder and a forest milling machinery is that, while the former is used for shredding trees, bushes, cutting waste and piles of branches, with the latter it is also possible deeply mill and crush roots and stumps

The cabs devoted to the weather protection only are often fitted on agricultural tractors in addition to front or rear 2-pillars frames homologated as ROPS. Now the matter is to ascertain the eligibility of these cabs to maintain an effective driver safety

The Anti-lock Braking System is an automated system which substantially improves the braking efficiency of motor vehicles, especially on poor road surface conditions. For agricultural machinery, mainly tractors, there are some other ways to ensure efficient braking

Machines capable of crushing wood residues by reducing them into small chips are essential for the energy sector because they make fuels easy to burn, as well as transportable and manageable. Many Italian companies are at the forefront of this sector, creating models with different powers and characteristics, suitable for the different wood species and for the various agricultural business models

Many manufacturers are dedicating themselves to creating seeding systems able to optimize crop operations and to manage with maximum precision the placement of seeds in the ground. ISOBUS technologies and the new generation of electronic systems allow an effective control of all the fundamental parameters, such as the processing speed, the quantity of seed used and the seeding density

The agricultural mechanics industry is investing significant resources to develop electric motors able to replace, over time, those fueled with fossil fuels. The appropriate engine power and battery life are still a challenge from a technological point of view. On the other hand, for hybrid systems, effective solution in short times are possible

For several years, researchers and operators of the agricultural sector (each with their own skills and from complementary points of view) have participated in an important debate about the dualism between traditional soil processing techniques, i.e. the classic ploughing followed by harrowing, and those of minimum, strip or no-tillage, on which was the most appropriate choice both from the economic and, above all, from the environmental sustainability point of view

Not just cutting and mixing different ingredients, but also operational and energy efficiency, operator comfort, and both faster and safer road travel. This is what modern mechanized systems for preparing and managing livestock feed offer. Among the most advanced systems, there are those for real-time monitoring of the nutritional content of the ration

Together with food and manure management, milking is one of the key factors for the success of the dairy farm. Its automation involves not only a reduction of manpower but also a better state of the herd's health

Although with some difficulty, the transition continues in towing systems from the historical CUNA hitch to the most modern CE hitch. In any case, the devices provided nowadays, offer a considerably higher safety level, both in the coupling and in the transfer phase

The recent introduction of legislation that addresses the need to establish compliance bands between the sites being treated and sensitive sites (inhabited areas, cycle paths, water courses, etc.) has stimulated the manufacturers to produce a number of environmentally friendly sprayers, equipped with a sort of "tunnel" inside which the crop is treated

From the early American automated steering systems dating back a century to the most modern fully automated devices with the ability to control operations even from a remote location, the agricultural machinery industry has invested heavily in automated driving technology, which can be applied to tractors and self-propelled machines

Engine lubrication is a prerequisite for proper operation and good performance. Cleaning the lubricating oil and eliminating impurities are ensured by the filtration systems, which are increasingly effective and sophisticated also for agricultural motors. Today, the industry offers various types of filters that meet the specific needs of the different engines, and innovative materials that can improve the system's functionality

Innovation in the folding platforms sector is geared to meet the users' main needs, such as reducing dead times, increasing operational capacity, especially in case of unfavourable harvest conditions, and adaptability to different crops. Before joining a head not recommended by the manufacturer of the machine, it is advisable to carry out adequate verifications and check, for example, that after the coupling, the requirements for road driving of the machine are still complied with

Viticulture is one of the most important sectors in the agricultural sector, not only with regard to the added value of grape production and winemaking, but also with regard to the adoption of advanced cultivation systems. High-tech devices provide efficient and eco-sustainable processing, while the use of digitalized systems for precision farming enables the scientific management of all production parameters

Olive cultivation is one of the traditional sectors of Italian agriculture with a capability to ensure production par excellence. The leading competitors of producers abroad are pushing the Italian system to acquire more modern technologies for optimizing harvesting to avoid damage to the trees. Many technological innovations have been developed to meet the needs of widely varied types of production

A pool of researchers from Crea Foggia has completed a test programme with a new seed drill that promises considerable benefits in wheat cultivation

Keeping productivity without compromising the quality of the harvest and ensuring a clean product is difficult, especially in operations on sloping terrain. Combining highly evolved manufacturing techniques and sensor and electronic systems have considerably helped achieving this objective. The top brand names producing combine harvesters rely on innovative and original solutions, often created by specialized supplier companies

Placing the forage in the silo is an apparently simple task, but it must be done taking into account a few precautions, better still using dedicated equipment, in order to ensure the best conservation of the product

Windrowing and swathing are probably the haymaking most important steps to get a good quality product. Windrowers can be classified into four categories according to their working components and their ways of working. To begin with the "star wheels", to get to the "rotary rakes", the "belt windrowing system", and the "comb" windrowers, the industry provides a wide range of solutions to suit different business needs

In addition to ensuring substantial water savings compared to traditional methods, micro-irrigation allows you to better manage the frequency and duration of the operations. With subirrigation, better still if combined with the simultaneous distribution of fertilizer, even greater efficiency is achieved

Whether tied or wrapped, round or square, hay or straw bales must be transported with properly equipped wagons to ensure the efficiency and safety of the operation. Manufacturers have developed solutions that can efficiently carry out the loading and positioning of the bales on the wagon and transport them in optimum conditions

Research activities reported in this article were conducted in the framework of the PROMOSIC Project, Protection of Machinery Operators Against Crush, Entanglement, Shearing, completed by Inail the National Institute for Accidents at Work Insurance. The project covered a number of safety issues associated with principal agricultural machines and the article describes a prototype solution for forestry chippers with manual feeds

The goal set by the manufacturing industry is not merely the uniform distribution of fertilizer but providing it where it is actually needed and in quantities which are strictly necessary. There are now on the market systems capable of detecting in real time the real requirements of the soil

The management of manure is a fundamental problem for livestock farms. Burying slurry is a good solution, able to limit emissions of ammoniacal nitrogen in the atmosphere and the spread of unpleasant odour. Systems with different characteristics and uses, produced by important industries in the sector, can be employed today, with significant advantages for both disposal and distribution on the ground of fertilizing substances

The greatest versatility and excellent precision for planting seeds and transplanting is no longer achieved with mechanical operations but with the use of electronics

To ensure an optimal circulation of air and water, soil preparation (both traditional and minimum tillage methods) still avails itself of a periodic deep slicing, carried out with a subsoiler

Working with free wheeling components or those powered by the tractor PTO harrows operate to pulverize the soil on rough terrain to prepare the best bed for a successive seeding. For always producing the optimum results there are a large number of differentiated types available on the market. To cite among the features likely to come up for further development are the quality of materials for their

The millennial history of the plow has not yet come to an end. Its evolution has led to the arrival of models of the moldboard window plow to combine performance at work and the reduction of energy requirements

Thanks to the formation of medium-sized clods and especially for the absence of hardpan, the spading machine works best even on soils that are wet, or even saturated with water, or conversely on very dry and compact soils. The manufacturers of this equipment – for which Italy has a particular tradition - offer a very wide range of models for every need

Wide technical and experimental activity has developed in recent years, in terms of innovative materials for the coatings and roofs of cabins and mechanical parts. Many solutions are already applicable to industrial production, which also include biomaterials and fabrics that can significantly reduce the noise of machines, ensuring greater comfort and safety for operators

Slurry spreaders have been quickly adapted for the need to distribute products of various origins on fields even with site specific methods while improving performance in maneuverability, safety and comfort, especially in transport

The Paulownia tree was brought to Europe from the far east in the 1800s, and has since considered a majestic ornamental tree. Recently it has started to be appreciated also for its wood, which is used to produce doors and windows, furniture, and even musical instruments. Also worth mentioning is its role in the wood to energy supply chain

The timely tracking of meteorological data is of the utmost importance in improving the success of crops. Modern systems are capable of providing information with high precision, but the systematic maintenance of the weather stations remains the basic condition for their efficiency over time

On a tractor, the vibrational comfort greatly improves if the front axle is suspended. The technical evolution of this device, which is designed to remedy the rolling anomalies determined by the imperfect roundness of the tyres. Devices of various kinds are already in mass production

The equipment for spraying operations must comply with specific Community directives, which set binding requirements for manufacturing companies, and must be subject to periodic inspections under the National Action Plan as an obligation for users. The industry has developed a wide range of technological solutions that optimize treatments and dramatically reduce environmental impact

For the best distribution on crops of plant protection products modern and efficient sprayer booms are absolutely necessary. New generation pressure regulators, anti-drift nozzles and sensor systems ensure an increasing scientific and measured use of chemical products and provide economic and environmental benefits

The biochemical process for the production of an organic substance using vegetable residues is complicated and requires care for the well defined phases and precise parameters. Compost is the end product of the organic digestion process made possible with the use of machinery and plant. Compost can be used by hobbyists or for the needs of industry capable of managing the process during all its phases

The criteria for monitoring the efficiency and operational conditions of hydraulic sistems have evolved in recent years to the point of modifying reference parameters for the definition of the fitness of the system together with the paradigms for maintenance. There is still considerable room for improving relations between design and maintenance, that is, the capability of engineering mechanical parts already built for facilitating maintenance

Numerous machines and types of equipment are at work in olive cultivations in a series of crop operations for improving the dynamics between the tree and soil to activate the immunological defenses of the plants themselves. Pruning, weeding, removing infestations and grass cover with compatible vegetable species are some of the operations necessary for olive cultivations to fend off Xylella made possible with appropriate mechanical technologies

Mechanical operations for wrapping bales involves risks for the worker. A new norm will provide a definition of the devices to be used for guaranteeing maximum safety in all the phases of this job as regards the risks of coming into contact with machinery parts in operation, the loss of stability and discharging bales to terrain

FederUnacoma staged a training seminar in Bologna focused on the new frontiers of information technology applied to agricultural machinery and equipment. The ISOBUS system has become a fundamental factor in agricultural mechanical engineering innovations and figures heavily in competition among manufacturers in the sector. Substantial investments are made in research for the development of further uses of the system

For some time animal welfare has become an important parameter for the design and management of modern stalls. Plans must take into account rotary brushes for ensuring healthy epidermal conditions as well as systems for air circulation and climate control. There are also technological solutions for bedding which must guarantee rest for animals in sound hygienic conditions

The results of trials carried out by DREAm Italia in the regional forest of Merse have been published. These covered types of vehicles, costs and operating conditions tested to derive parameters for the effective construction of fireroads

Pomegranate, a fruit with numerous health benefits, offers good income opportunities for farmers. Needed for creating optimum conditions for cultivation is the use of machinery and equipment for laying mulch on the soil, harrowing and weeding as well as topping the plants and the distribution of plant treatment products

Not only robots. Innovations for the milking parlour cover a multitude of plant parts and components, including materials. As a result there are energy savings, optimized productivity and especially greater welfare of the dairy cattle herd

Mechanical engineering industries manufacture a wide range of machinery for work in the field of forestry. Systems for harvesting timber and biomass have become increasingly technologically advanced but the choice of machinery depends on the specific requirements of the worksite and environmental conditions in which operations are performed. Important new developments have been achieved through the collaboration of the specialized industries and university and research institutes

Electronic systems for the management of crop operations have been developed through an important European Union project funded in connection with the 7th Framework Program. Some of the technologies developed by Italian universities have been carefully evaluated and fully approved by the evaluation commission created by the EU

The high number of accidents due to careless maneuvers around cardan shafts transmitting the power of the tractor to implements. Special attention must be given to maintenance, the mechanical parts and the protection devices produced specifically by the manufacturing industries. Careful attention must also be directed to towing

Water is not an unlimited resource so its use must be rationalized even in settings in which its availability has never been a problem. Daily consumption, measured with a "water footprint" method, can be reduced by using increasingly more sophisticated and specific systems for various types of crops

From the simple U spring under the seat to independent suspensions for the rear axle, miracles have been performed in technical progress as regards agricultural tractor vibrations all to the advantage of the driver's comfort and health. Shock absorber systems for vibrations work at the level of the seat, the cab and the front axle

A dozer can turn out to be an efficient machine in difficult work conditions which stretch a tractor to its limits. The dozer is marketed today with various configurations and differing technological solutions to guarantee high performance in all operating conditions to make even the most demanding terrains production

A project financed by the Rural Development Program for the Umbria Region has produced a prototype of a new concept machine which is especially efficient for harvesting and in other operations for olive cultivations. The new model will be manufactured on an industrial scale by the company Spapperi