The DLG (German Agricultural Society), organiser of Agritechnica, today announced the winners of the gold and silver medals of the Agritechnica Innovation Awards 2023. The leading innovation award scheme in the agricultural machinery industry received 251 entries of which 218 were approved for the list of exhibition innovations. The DLG Innovation Jury has awarded one innovation with the gold and 17 innovations with the silver medal.
An Agritechnica Innovation Gold medal is conferred on an innovation demonstrating a new concept in which the functionality has changed decisively and gives rise to a new process or marks a substantial improvement to an existing process.
Key criteria:
- Practical significance at farm level
- Operating profitability and efficiency benefits
- Improvement on the environment and energy consumption.
- Work load reduction and improved health and safety
An Agritechnica Innovation Silver medal is conferred on an innovation for an existing product such that a significant improvement in functionality and process is achieved. The product does not fully meet the criteria for the award of an Innovation Gold Medal. Key criteria include:
- Relevance at farm level
- Work load reduction and enhanced work quality
- Improved reliability’
Gold medal:
Overall concept of CR twin axial rotor combine harvester
Company: New Holland – a brand of CNH
Hall/Stand: 3/A48
The further development of the technically possible threshing performance of combine harvesters is increasingly being limited by their size, weight and dimensions.
This particularly applies to the widening of the threshing channel, the most effective design measure that would, however, directly impact the width of the machine, which is in turn already encountering the statutory transport width limits. The fundamental, regressive nature of separating functions is one argument against simply extending the threshing and separating sections. In addition, increased drive outputs and accordingly dimensioned drive technologies as well as threshing and separating tools are causing the legally defined axle loads to be exceeded.
Silver medals:
STEYR Hybrid CVT
Company: STEYR® Tractoren – a brand of CNH
Hall/Stand: 3/A48
Among the diverse measures that are being implemented to reduce CO2 emissions, the development of alternatives to the diesel engine are relatively high up on the agenda. This also applies to off-road vehicles such as tractors, forage harvesters and combine harvesters.
With the STEYR Hybrid CVT, CNH is presenting a modular hybrid concept for medium and large standard tractors. The prototype that has been presented is based on a serial production model of the 6-cylinder entry-level class with an output of 132 kW (180 hp) and a wheelbase of 2.79 m. While the stepless hydrostatic-mechanical gearbox has been taken over 1:1 from the original, the diesel engine outputs 191 kW (260 hp) and is fitted in a completely new front end with sprung independent wheel suspension and two integrated electric motors.
The generator is driven by the diesel engine via a transmission stage and forwards the generated electrical power of up to 75 kW (102 hp) to the electric motor via the power electronics.
This converts the electrical energy back into mechanical energy, which is conducted to the crown gear of the front axle differential via a two-stage gearbox. The front axle can still be driven mechanically using a classic multi-plate clutch. The electrical branch is additionally fitted with supercapacitors, i.e. electrostatic energy storage devices, that are able to store and release a great deal of power in a short space of time, a braking resistor and an AEF high voltage socket at front and rear.
