No two farms are exactly the same. Size, location, elevation, climate, soil structure and crop rotation all combine to create unique environments. However, the machinery used has to endure many of the same challenging conditions such as mud, dust and debris, extreme heat and cold, rain and runoff, corrosive chemicals, and long periods of inactivity followed by intense work schedules that test the limits of a farm’s equipment and its workforce.
In addition, the agriculture industry must deal with pressures resulting from rising fuel costs and other economic factors, as well as new regulations that will impact their profits. These range from requirements to reduce harmful emissions, reduce environmental impact and to protect the health and safety of workers.
To optimise productivity, farmers are looking to manufacturers to help them increase machine speed and efficiency, reduce or eliminate maintenance and downtime, and automate processes previously handled manually. Manufacturers, in turn, are collaborating with trusted suppliers and engineering partners to design and build a new generation of equipment with greater reliability and functionality.
Extend time in the field with automatic lubrication
Maintaining the proper lubricant film is required to reduce wear, whilst frequent lubrication acts as a means to purge bushing and bearings of contaminants. If rock dust, dirt, sand and water are allowed to work their way into these components, they will form a “grinding compound” that reduces bearing life substantially.
Automatic lubrication reduces downtime, so your equipment is available when you need it. Increasing reliability and availability can be achieved by utilising lubrication systems which will extend the equipment service life, reduce operational and lubricant costs and minimise environmental impact by avoiding over-lubrication. Also, reducing manual lubrication results in fewer potential accidents, and maintenance staff can be utilised for other tasks.
Agri Hubs
Whether on a big or small farm, typically the goal is to achieve consistent performance and durability with less demand on maintenance to free up time for other activities, and every minute of downtime caused by hub failure, maintenance or replacement results in a loss in profit.
SKF Agri Hubs are greased and sealed to be virtually maintenance free throughout their bearing life. They can withstand various conditions during tillage and last very long, without the need to re-lubricate. The new T50 and T200 hubs can deliver excellent performance at minimal cost. The T200 can handle up to 200 000 hectares of tilling over its life cycle. Built to last, the high stiffness can minimise disc tilt and maximise machine reliability even further. To suit different farm sizes, the same technology that made the T100 trusted by farmers around the world, has now been applied to the extended range. Whether the T200 or T50 best suits your needs, you can be sure that it comes with a consistent performance and reliable bearing quality.
For further information, please contact your local SKF Authorised Distributor or email customerservice.nz@skf.com.
