Agritechnica 2017 is underway this week; the exhibition is simply massive.
The venue is the exhibition centre in Hanover, Germany. Exhibitors have come not just from Germany and surrounding European countries but from all over the globe. So too have visitors; it’s not unusual to hear accents from the US and Asia when doing the rounds through the myriad of giant halls.
All of the major manufacturers are present. In fact, almost every manufacturer of any considerable scale is here – either in its own right or via a local distributor in Germany.
There are plenty of machinery updates at the show – many of which were flagged up by AgriLand during recent months.
Some trends are increasingly noticeable at international machinery events such as this.
For starters, the ambition to attain the ‘full (product) line‘ has never been so evident. Some major (and some rapidly-evolving) tractor manufacturers are gathering more and more implements and machinery to add to their product dossiers – either through in-house developments or external acquisitions.
What’s also noticeable is the growth of some eastern-originated conglomerates – and their continued proliferation across Europe and, indeed, the world. For example, it’s worth keeping an eye on the likes of Arbos and Mahindra.
This report provides just a sample of some of the many highlights from this year’s event. Stay tuned to AgriLand for further, ongoing coverage from this extravaganza.
Click on a thumbnail in the gallery (below) to open up a full-size image; once opened you can scroll sideways to see the next picture. Refer to each caption to see details of each machine.
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- Arbos 7260: This prototype belongs to a brand that is practically unknown in Ireland. Arbos is the result of a collaboration between Foton, one of China’s largest tractor manufacturers, and an Italian firm
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- The new (pivot-steer) Venieri 8.63TL can lift 3.2t to a height of over 5.2m. Muscle is provided by a 136hp, four-cylinder Deutz engine
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- Lovol Heavy Industry is a Chinese manufacturer of tractors, agricultural machines, specialist vehicles and engines. The entity’s new tractors are vying for a slice of the European market
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- The new Claas Torion 1914 is the result of a tie-up with Liebherr; it churns out 228hp and weighs a portly 19.5t
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- Ursus is broadening not only its range of tractors but also implements and ground-care equipment. The Irish importer is Sutton Tractors, based close to New Ross, Co. Wexford
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- Weidemann’s new (10.7t) 9080 brings the German manufacturer into the realm of contractor-spec loading shovels. It’s powered by a 156hp, four-cylinder Deutz engine
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- The LS Mtron brand-name came into being in 2008. Since then, the South Korean entity has been busy exporting tractors to over 40 countries. It has also opened factories in China and Brazil
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- Manitou MLA-T 533-145 V+: This new, pivot-steer telehandler has a maximum lift capacity of 3.3t and a maximum lift height of 5.2m. It’s fitted with a 143hp Deutz engine
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- Branson Tractor was founded in the US in 1998 as a distributor. Kukje Machinery, from South Korea, is its parent company and has been in business since 1968. Expect to see more of these tractors here in Europe
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- This 466hp, 17t Belarus 4522 prototype is reportedly one of only five units in existence. It’s powered by a Caterpillar C13 engine
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- Among the larger, more unusual machines (certainly in an Irish context) on display is this John Deere CP690 cotton picker. This six-row machine is powered by a 13.5L, 590hp (peak) engine
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- Mahindra 9125P: This new, 120hp tractor is destined for the US market. The Mahindra group is a major Indian conglomerate; its dossier of brands includes Erkunt and ArmaTrac – both from Turkey
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- Claas Axion 900 Terra Trac: This new arrival has been dubbed the ‘first half-track tractor with full suspension’. To accommodate the tracks, the fuel tank has been moved to a location beneath the tractor’s rear mudguards
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- As well as unveiling new Utilix and Hortus tractor ranges, Zetor rolled out new styling for its existing Major line-up
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- Rostselmash is a Russian manufacturer of some considerable scale. The company produces large numbers of combine harvesters and self-propelled foragers for a growing number of export markets
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- Weycor AR 250: This 13.8t, 218hp loading shovel is manufactured by Atlas Weyhausen; the German company has over 40 years of experience in the wheel loader business
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- NC Engineering was present; it was showcasing its FH225S pivot-steer telehandler. The company was actively looking for suitable German dealers at the event
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- Rebo – a vehicle customisation specialist – has this armoured John Deere R Series tractor on its stand. Designed in partnership with Rheinmetall Defense for military applications, the tractor is bullet-proof and explosion-resistant
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- Case IH created a 175th anniversary version of its Puma 175 CVX tractor. It is available in a limited production run to mark 175 years since the founding of the company that became today’s Case IH Agriculture
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- JCB TM420: This new machine brings 32% more load lifting ability – at 4.1t – than the existing TM320S. It also boosts lift height by 200mm to 5.4m
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- Soucy Track, part of the larger Soucy Group, is a Canadian company that specialises in ‘retro-fit’ track-drive systems for all sorts of vehicles, including agricultural tractors
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- Deutz-Fahr has added three new four-cylinder models to its existing 6 Series line-up. These are the 6155.4, 6165.4 and the 6175.4
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- New Holland PVX: As a result of its acquisition of Kongskilde, New Holland has launched this ‘blue’ six-furrow, fully-mounted plough
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- The show was largely dominated by huge tankers and spreaders, including Joskin’s stand. It was refreshing to see this pint-sized unit
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- While SDF doesn’t actively market the Lamborghini brand in Ireland nowadays, the brand is still forging ahead in many European markets
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- Fliegl Buffel: This novel forage harvesting machine encompasses a pick-up reel, a chopping rotor, a bunker and an unloading conveyer. It is essentially a self-loading silage wagon that can unload on the move
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- There was no shortage of self-propelled sprayers at the show. The latest ‘Striker’, from Italian firm Caffini, afforded enough room to walk underneath – without bending down
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- Deutz-Fahr C5305: This handy-sized combine harvester has a 180hp engine and a three-speed hydrostatic transmission. The threshing drum is 1.11m wide
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- This Lindner is noticeable for its white livery; these Austrian-built tractors are usually red. The brand is represented in Ireland by Plant Systems, close to Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
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- Basak – from Turkey – previously built tractors under license for Steyr. The Austrian manufacturer’s design influence is still evident in this current Basak tractor
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- Pronar is based in Poland. It recently appointed a distributor in the UK, which imports a range of machinery
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- Cast Group – of which Cast Loaders is a brand-name – manufactures a range of compact shovels. The company is based in Mirano (Italy) but exports across Europe
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- Siloking TruckLine: This self-propelled diet feeder is 100% electric; no diesel is needed
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- Basak tractors are built in Turkey. The factory is located in Sakarya; it produces 10,000 units each year. Engines, gearboxes and hydraulic systems are manufactured in-house
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- Kubota plough: Kverneland tillage equipment is already available in Kubota’s branding/livery in some European markets, but not yet in Ireland
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- Bredal K XE Series: These new machines can spread lime up to 30m and fertiliser up to 48m. The spreading discs are mounted on arms that shift (hydraulically) out to either side of the machine
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- Fuchs mini loader: These products come from the wider Kiesel Scandinavia A/S group. These machines are aimed at farmers, landscapers and municipal/utility buyers
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- This Deutz-Fahr has undergone a major ‘surgical’ procedure; the cab can now lift and rotate. The work was carried out by German company Paul Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
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- Knikmops (KM) 180: This compact loader has a 45hp engine under its hood. It weighs 1.8t and can muster a maximum lift capacity of 1.4t. Maximum lift height is 2.4m
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- Sampo Rosenlew Verrato: These new, basic-specification combine harvesters replace the Finnish firm’s existing 2000 Series models
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- Dong Feng Agricultural Machinery Group was founded in 1952. In 2002, the state-owned enterprise was privatised. It claims to be the second largest manufacturer of tractors in China
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- McConnel Agribuggy A280: This machine is designed and built by McConnel’s sister company – sprayer specialist Kellands
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- Zetor Hortus: This new tractor is equipped with a 67hp engine and a mechanical transmission with 24 forward and 24 reverse gears; it also has a power-shuttle
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- Arbos one-pass system: The establishment of Lovol Arbos Group three years ago – through Foton’s tie-up with Arbos – signalled the company’s intention to break into the European market
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- Gomselmash is headquartered in the Republic of Belarus. Many of its harvesters are marketed under the ‘Palesse’ product name; it encompasses grain and forage equipment – alongside other machines
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- Kubota M7002 Series: Likely to replace the current M7001 range (130-170hp), these tractors come with a new six-speed powershift transmission, a higher payload and improved joystick control
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- ‘ALI’ counterweight: With this patented tractor ballast system, the operator can hydraulically extend the weight forward (by up to 1m) to improve overall balance
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- Italian company Bargam is best known in Ireland for its sprayers (imported by Farmec Ireland). The company also makes funky-looking round balers – both fixed and variable-chamber machines
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- There was something at Agritechnica 2017 for all ages; this combine harvester simulator proved a hit on John Deere’s stand
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- Claas Torion 535: It was a busy show for the German giant, launching not only large shovels but also this smaller Yanmar-powered, pivot-steer machine
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- John Deere S700 Series: Four (combine harvester) models will be available for 2018 – the S770, S780, S785 and S790 – featuring a new console and controls, plus a camera-based grain quality management system
Watch out for further coverage from the show over the coming days and weeks. Agritechnica takes place every two years; if you miss this year’s installment, you’ll have to wait until 2019 for the next one.