New Holland's technical innovations reap reward
11/02/06

The judges at FIMA 2006 have awarded three prizes for technical innovation to New Holland, honouring the brand's CX and CR combines' SmartSteer system, the latest Fast Steer steering system available on the new TS-A tractor and VM and VL grape harvesters, demonstrating the breadth of technological expertise that is present across the products. FIMA, held in Zaragoza, Spain, is one of Europe's leading agricultural events and showcases the latest machinery to discerning visitors from around the world.

Xavier Autonell, New Holland Marketing Manager for Europe, was clearly delighted with the judgments. "We are used to winning awards but we are never complacent. The verdicts from a highly respected show, such as FIMA, recognise the innovative thinking that goes into all our products and allow our customers to see benefits in quality and productivity from this approach. From our cash crop customers benefiting from the latest driver aids to our vineyard customers benefiting from high quality harvesting techniques, New Holland seeks to excel in every field."

Maximising the quality and quantity of the harvested crop is at the heart of the SmartSteer™ system. The hands-free steering system allows the operator to concentrate on monitoring and adjusting the important collection and cleaning controls during harvest, while the SmartSteer system guides the combine. This division of labour reduces operator workload and fatigue and improves productivity.

Available on CX860, CX880, CR960 and CR980 models, the SmartSteer system comprises a laser scanner mounted underneath the cab roof extension linked to on-board computer that controls the steering. Two emitted signals are reflected from either the cut or the standing crop, enabling the computer to determine the crop edge and steer the combine automatically along the next pass between two opposite headland turns. The driver can return to manual steering at any time, by simply moving the steering wheel. The SmartSteer system ensures the full header cutting width is used, increasing work rate by reducing the number of passes over the field.

The benefits to productivity by aiding steering control are also central to New Holland’s Fast Steer™ system which reduces cycle times and increases work rate. By depressing the steering wheels’ inner ring, lock-to-lock wheel turns can be achieved with just 8 degrees of steering wheel movement with fully proportional control of the steering angle. Releasing the inner ring and returns the tractor to conventional steering.

Optional on TS-A tractors, the Fast Steer system is the ideal partner to New Holland FL front loader, allowing the operator's left hand to remains close to the shuttle lever and right hand on the seat mounted loader joystick, providing complete control throughout loader operations.

Precise control and excellent crop handling is exemplified in New Holland's VM and VL grape harvesters, designed to provide the best possible harvesting performance in any crop condition. The harvesting head is constructed so the shakers can be easily and rapidly set while New Holland’s patented destemmer-separator provides the best ever cleaning operation. With crop quality an important factor at every stage of wine production, the new system ensures that extremely clean grapes are delivered to the winery.

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