The Pantera self-propelled plant protection sprayer utilises the most up-to-date technologies for efficient, environmentally friendly plant protection. Ultra-modern agricultural machines like this cannot operate without precise setting and monitoring of the hydraulics, and Parker’s ServiceMaster Plus hydraulic measuring technology plays an important part in the operation of the Pantera. Developed and manufactured by German company Amazonen-Werke, the Pantera has an impressive size. With a 9 ton empty weight, it has a 4000 litre spray tank volume, uses 120 litres of hydraulic oil and has a transportation length and width of 8,5 and 2,8 metres respectively.
Monitoring hydraulic development with CANbus
The sophisticated Parker ServiceMaster Plus measuring system offers remote controlled monitoring of mobile and other hydraulic systems and detailed analysis of measurement data. It can measure signals from up to 26 sensors simultaneously in order to detect faulty valves, valves with inappropriate opening characteristics and leakage. It reveals insufficient pump power and pulsation in both pumps and rotating consumers. Two analogue signal inputs can register pressure peaks in 0,1 ms. The Parker ServiceMaster Plus also makes pressure fluctuations visible. This makes it an ideal tool for optimising performance characteristics and reducing life-time costs.
Pressure, flow, temperature and revolution values are graphically represented on the large display. High, feed, and housing pressures for the drive hydraulics and the operational hydraulics have to be monitored, especially for track width adjustment and for the automatic folding outwards and inwards of the spray boom, which can be up to 40 metres wide. The measured values for the hydraulics of the all-wheel steering and the fan revolutions are also captured. Ten purely hydraulic measurement points provide simultaneous monitoring of flow and pressure data and detect further parameters such as motor revolutions, supply to actuators and temperature.
Without having to change speed range, the plant protection sprayer can travel from 0 to 40 km/h under steplessly variable hydrostatic control. Driving torque to the four wheel-motors is continuously monitored and regulated. Traction is handled by slip regulation, as in modern cars. The steplessly variable hydraulic track width adjustment from 1,8 to 2,4 metres provides safe footing and the correct culture-specific track width. A tandem chassis with hydro-pneumatic suspension guarantees the smooth behaviour of the spray boom. The all-wheel steering gives a turning radius of only 4,5 metres. With the crab steering function, the Pantera also remains on track even on a side slope.
Visualisation of measured values makes optimisation easier
Precise detection of dynamic values is extremely important. All rotating consumers, such as demand-driven hydraulic motors for the fans and water pumps, are also checked. This control contributes to reducing the load on components such as valves and hoses and to increasing component service life. Measurement data are also displayed on a laptop with an interface to USB storage devices.
Fewer cables – less measurement cost
The CANbus facilities allow the sensors to be immediately deployable without alignment costs and keep cabling requirements to a minimum. With the Parker ServiceMaster Plus in combination with Parker CAN-bus sensors, a powerful measurement network can be built up in a very short time. The CANbus connection makes the identification and control of individual sensors possible without any adjustment by the operator. The sampling rate of the CANbus sensor inputs amounts to 1000 measured values per second. Furthermore, the CANbus sensors can be installed up to 100 metres from the measuring instrument. Long connecting cables of this kind offer a huge installation advantage, especially in machines with widely spaced measurement points such as the Pantera.
Unlimited measurement data processing and storage
A LAN network connection serves as an alternative to a USB connection for the online transmission of measurement and parameterisation values to the SensoWin PC software and for direct one-to-one remote control. The integrated memory has 10 Mb of space for up to 2,5 million measured values, project data files and screenshots. More than a billion measured values can be stored with memory expansion through Micro SD memory cards and USB mass storage.
Simple to operate despite multiplicity of functions
With protection against dust and water spray in accordance with IP64, the Service Master Plus can withstand a fall of 1 metre according to IEC60068-2-32. Orlando Muhs, Pantera service specialist, remembers when the instrument was first installed. “It is unpack, switch on, measure,” he says. He adds: “Starting up the Parker Service Master Plus is as easy as working with a laptop and routine measurements can be achieved straightaway without recourse to the operator’s handbook or to training.”
For more information contact Mark Johnson, Parker Hannifin, +27 (0)11 961 0700, mark.johnson@parker.com, www.parker.com/za
| Tel: | +27 11 961 0700 |
| Fax: | +27 11 392 7213 |
| Email: | parker.southafrica@parker.com |
| www: | www.parker.com/za |
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