Meeting the High Demands of the Agricultural Industry
Agritechnica 2025 took place in November in Hannover, Germany. The exhibition welcomed 2,800 exhibitors from over 50 countries, including 234 world premieres, presenting advanced farm equipment and solutions. With 430,000+ visitors and the entire 23 halls fully booked, this year’s edition included exhibitors from 52 countries showcasing intelligent, connected technologies that make farming more sustainable, productive and user-friendly.
Per a report from the show, a new highlight this year was the Digital Farm Center, featuring 160 exhibitors showcasing the full spectrum of digital agriculture with four thematic zones: GPS and guidance systems; robotics and drones; sensor technology; and software solutions. Many farmers are already using digital technologies and applications. These tools are designed to make their work easier, increase productivity and profitability, reduce resource consumption, and counteract the shortage of labor. The potential of digitalization in agriculture is far from fully tapped. One area of particularly high expectations is Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“Agriculture is one of the pioneers in AI and is ahead of most other industries. AI can significantly relieve the burden on agricultural businesses, giving farmers more time for other tasks. Smaller farms should make greater use of AI’s possibilities,” says Bitkom CEO Dr. Bernhard Rohleder.
“The use of AI is not a trend, but increasingly a necessity due to the many pressures faced by farm managers,” Says DLG Vice President Prof. Dr. Till Meinel from the Institute for Construction and Agricultural Machinery Technology in Cologne (IBL).
The international study “Agriculture in Transition” by Continental, published in autumn 2023, also highlights Artificial Intelligence as a key factor in agriculture. According to the study, one-third of respondents expect AI applications to triple within the next five to ten years.
Tech-savvy farmers have already started developing their own apps—with or without the help of AI tools. Examples from practice include inventory logs for tracking goods in and out, time-tracking apps for work organization, or planning tools for field management. In addition, there are numerous commercial applications such as digital yellow traps, smart grain storage systems, and predictive models for crop protection. For many farms, the paperless office is no longer a vision but a reality, as they use AI to increase the efficiency of workflows.
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The AI language model ChatGPT is already being used on farms—as a diligent office assistant for structuring and writing texts, and as an advisor on technical questions, sometimes even replacing the need for a technician. To get the best results, questions to ChatGPT should be formulated precisely and in detail. However, despite its capabilities, ChatGPT does not always provide correct answers. Blind trust can be risky, so common sense should never be switched off.
So, what sort of interesting tech could be found on the show floor relevant to Gear Technology and PTE readers?
Schaeffler's innovative and reliable solutions for the agricultural industry including highly efficient electric traction motors, new EWELLIX electromechanical linear actuators, and friction-reduced rolling bearings – including the tillage bearing system "Schaeffler Field Pro". Schaeffler now offers a total of four series: the modular EWELLIX linear actuators CAHB10, CAHB2x with rated forces of 1.5 and 10 kN, the new EWELLIX platform EMA-80 up to 31 kN, and the EMA-100 series up to 60 kN. With the new design, the modularity was extended – down to the base component level of the screw drive, gearbox, motor, and mounting. Within any given EWELLIX linear actuator EMA-80, the customer can individually select their components. This allows for the attachment of a preferred motor type or the connection to an existing control system, which can significantly reduce design and programming costs. As standard, highly efficient asynchronous and synchronous motors with peak outputs of up to 5 kW are used. The b-side brake in the motor is used as a static holding brake and prevents undesired movements (also in the event of a power outage). Optionally, the speed can be limited with a centrifugal brake and the load safely lowered even without a power supply. The motor is either attached directly onto the actuator (inline) or a 2- or 3-stage spur gearbox with ratios of 4, 10, 12, 20 is mounted in between to achieve a parallel arrangement. As an optional accessory, a multiturn absolute position sensor or a redundant brake can be attached to the gearbox. Schaeffler also presented its highly efficient heavy-duty electric motors as a complete motor family with continuous outputs of 110 to 220 kW and peak outputs of 140 to 310 kW. The independent power electronics feature a four-quadrant drive controller, allowing braking energy to be recovered from the traction motor in overrun mode. Electric motors can also be used as highly efficient generators in combination with diesel engines and then provide the electrical energy for the traction drives. Due to the compact external dimensions, electric motors can also be used as electric PTOs (ePTOs). Independent of the powertrain and able to be positioned anywhere, they offer an especially high degree of design freedom.
SKF’s latest innovations in bearings, lubrication systems, and seals designed for the toughest agricultural conditions. Visitors saw how advanced Agri Hubs, proven sealing solutions, and smart lubrication tools can help boost productivity and reduce downtime. The new Agri Hub T400 for disc harrows, developed in close collaboration with agricultural practitioners — practically “in the field.” What sets it apart from conventional bearing units is its four-times more effective sealing system against contamination. Specifically designed for the most labor-intensive weeks of the year, it has successfully completed a 10,500-hour endurance test and significantly reduces maintenance requirements in agricultural operations. Also designed for longer service life in demanding agricultural environments are the SKF DuraPro deep groove ball bearings for tractor drivetrains. Compared to the popular Explorer-class bearings, they offer minimum twice the lifespan and 20% higher load capacity, thanks to a special hardening method and surface treatment. Other bearing solutions SKF will showcase at Agritechnica 2025 include proven pre-lubricated and sealed deep groove ball bearings, sealed spherical roller bearings for highly contaminated environments and idler sprocket units.
Danfoss Power Solutions announced the launch of PC-AC MultiMotor, a propel controller and software solution for hydrostatic transmissions. Designed for systems with one pump and two or four drive motors, PC-AC MultiMotor offers full traction control on each wheel or axle from zero to maximum ground speed across varying terrains. The off-the-shelf solution is built on Danfoss’ PC-AC Core propel software platform, which offers reliable and efficient control as well as quick and simple startup, dramatically reducing propel subsystem development time. PC-AC MultiMotor offers multiple technical features, including anti-slip and anti-block control capabilities, plus axle load distribution control. Anti-slip control prevents wheel slippage, providing better traction control, enhanced driving safety, and terrain preservation. Anti-block control prevents locking or reverse turning of the wheels while braking, improving vehicle controllability, reducing stopping distance, and minimizing skidding. In addition, the anti-block capability maintains steering control while braking, which is especially important during emergency stops or on slippery surfaces. Axle load distribution control optimizes traction and controllability through slope and load compensation as well as architecture-dependent load distribution.
Weasler, a CentroMotion brand specializing in friction management, information and control systems, mechanical power transmission, and thermal and motion control products offered a wide range of products including drive shafts and torque limiters to dampers and other components, all designed using the best technology to solve our customers’ power transmission problems. Products are engineered for reliability and precision, ensuring the seamless operation and longevity of agricultural equipment.
