SIMA — innovation parade
AgroCentre’s team together with the clients visited SIMA, International Agribusiness Show, which took place in Paris. The capital of France received guests interested to learn about novelties offered by machinery manufacturers. As usual, the scale of SIMA was astounding.
The trade show featured about 1,800 suppliers from over 40 countries and almost a quarter of a million visitors.
‘It is one of the best trade shows I have ever experienced’, shares Nikolay Ivanishchev, Director General of AgroCentre. ‘I am positive that this visit is extremely beneficial for both our partners and us. We have visited the booths of the manufacturers to get updated on the novelties. The clients have made it clear that they expect us to expand our brand range, as they have seen a number of “new names” at the trade show. We, in our turn, respond to their recommendations.’
The suppliers of AgroCentre unveiled their most advanced developments.
Challenger debuted a trailed sprayer that ‘absorbed’ the best features of self-propelled models and will soon be available in the Russian market along with them.
‘Challenger trailed sprayers are fitted with a centrifugal pump with the rate of 785 l/min, which attests to its application versatility’, affirms Sergey Lomantsov, Executive Director of AgroCentreLiski. ‘In addition, the sprayer inherited an outstanding boom suspension system and the Norac auto-boom levelling system from the self-propelled machines. The boom, up to 30 metres wide, with auto section control ensures the highest output precision application.’
This year, sprayers with a 3,300 and 4,400-litre tanks and a 30-metre boom were showcased at SIMA. Next year, it is planned to present 5,500-litre and 6,600-litre tank sprayers with a 36-metre boom.
Massey Ferguson has unveiled its newest design — the MF8737 wheel tractor (400 hp) — the highest-power machine of the brand. The tractor is equipped with the well-acclaimed Dyna-VT continuously variable transmission with the Dynamic Tractor Management (DTM) feature providing optimal performance and fuel economy during the day, a hydraulic system with the maximum flow of 205 litres/ minute and new improved cooling package, which increases the cooling efficiency by 42% irrespective of the operation environment.
‘The designers assert that this new model has a class leading power-to-weight ratio’, states Sergey Lomantsov, ‘and comfortable working environment is provided by spacious cabin with all necessary options and a factory installed AutoGuide 3000.’
The MF8690 tractor, its ‘younger 370 hp brother’, is in high demand and sells well in Russia, as the only difference between the MF8690 and the MF8737 models is lower power: in terms of technology and option range, the MF8690 is in no way inferior to its ‘big brother’.
It should also be mentioned that AGCO received a Citation in the SIMA Innovation Awards for Massey Ferguson Dynamic Top-Link Control system.
JCB was awarded for its innovative transmission.
‘The company has debuted the JCB 5680, the world-biggest telehandler equipped with a 6-m3 sugar beet bucket’, says Sergey Lomantsov. ‘The JCB 419S Agri wheel loaders have become a know-how of the trade show.’
Valtra brand has launched a new A Series tractor lineup, the design of which stylistically follows the N and T Series tractors which previously also received a number of accolades. The A104 tractor was recognised the best machine in the category of tractors under 150 hp.
The company has also exhibited a 370 hp S353 tractor fitted with the new control SmartTouch armrest designed by Valtra factory designers.
Kverneland has staked on its Monopill drill equipped for precision drilling and featuring such functions as precise seed placement and singulation. The company has also showcased the front tank for liquid fertiliser application. Besides, the brand was awarded for the ISOBUS mounted reversible plough, which can be operated right from the cabin.
Vaderstad’s and Fendt’s booths introduced the Tempo planter and the 1000 Series Fendt tractor — novelties for the Russian market.
Ч‘This year, AgroCentre is starting to supply these machines’, reports Sergey Lomantsov. ‘The farmers that submitted preliminary orders last year will be the first to expand their machinery fleet with these machines.’
As a part of the trip itinerary, AgroCentre’s team has also toured Massey Ferguson tractor plant. The manufacturing facility at Beauvais, France, has become the best enterprise in the farming machinery industry in France. The total facility area is 30 ha. Annually, about 14,500 machinery units roll off its production line.
‘It is a cutting-edge European facility manufacturing machines within the power range from 50 hp to 400 hp’, says Nikolay Ivanishchev. ‘We wanted our clients to see the assembly process of the tractors that they use. Our goal was to show the scale and production capacity of our supplier.’