Highlights at the Agritechnica

Real Innovations for Real Excitement

At the Agritechnica, held from November 10 – 14 in Hanover MAHA presented a real product innovation, the roller brake tester MBT 6000 AF – MAHA Brake Tester Agrar-Vehicles –. Using the BT 6000 AF brake performance can be tested on vehicles with large wheel diameter. In the runup to the exhibition the power take-off dynamometer ZW-500/W500, was tested by the DLG (German Agricultural Society) in terms of measurement accuracy, torque and durability and received the rating of > very good < each time. The trade visitors had nothing but praise for it. Hetra’s success at the exhibition was underscored by the impressive sales figures it took home. Worldwide, the Agritechnica is the most important trade fair for agricultural machinery and equipment. All leading companies of the branch were present offering an ideal platform to introduce product innovations and exchange valuable information.

The Agritechnica is considered the most important meeting point for the agricultural machinery sector and is where innovations are launched. The exhibition enjoys a status as impressive information platform for manufacturers, professional farmers, important customers from industry, trade and research as well as representatives from politics, consultants and associations.

hetra – the core expertise is in technology leadership and efficient service readinessaspires to achieve an even greater world market share. Agritechnica participation is an important prerequisite to achieve this goal.

For some time now the commercial vehicle market has demanded a brake tester which can safely handle brake testing on tractors, pit vehicles and other large-wheel-diameter vehicles- – conventionally available brake testers are not well suited for this task.

With the MBT 6000 AF, MAHA has developed a roller brake tester with increased roller center distance offering better hold during testing. The large-wheel-diameter vehicles have a safer test procedure thanks to this special adaption. The proven roller brake tester MBT has been improved upon with an innovative roller set with adapted geometry. All known, proven MBT technology components are still used in the MBT 6000 AF. Relevant improvements were made with the test speed: 3 km/h, the track width is 800 mm variable/3100 mm variable, roller diameter is 265 mm and the roller center distance is 675 mm.

The well-known robust, customer-friendly technology of the MBT basis model is also built into and guaranteed in the MBT 6000 AF.– even under extraordinary strain and stress. – including durability and minimal repair requirements. Measurement recording and storage are digital, interface for printer and PC are standard. Electro-components and software module correspond with those of the basic MBT model. The MBT 6000 AF does not replace the MBT series but should be seen as an innovative improvement which complements the successful model series.

MAHA fills a market niche with the MBT 6000 AF for which an incrediably large demand exists.

Within the company group, hetra stands mainly for heavy duty lifting technology, e.g. mobile wheel engaging column lifts suitable for trucks and buses but also for tractors and other rail vehicles. Each wheel requires a mobile unit each having its own power supply. All units are controlled by an automatic synchronization whereby individual programming is also possible. The latest generation of mobile wheel engaging column lift systems have a radio-controlled synchronization regulation and battery operation for about 30 lifts per day and particularly versatile application.

Within a very short time hetra has been able to capture a 50% market share with the ZW- 500/W 500 power take-off dynamometer. The performance dynamometer ZW-500/W 500 is used for quick and uncomplicated testing of tractor power at the power take off shaft. The DLG (German Agricultural Society) assessment of accuracy, torque and durability with a > very good < rating definitely had a positive influence on deeper market penetration. The aim of the testing was the assessment of the torque measurement accuracy with various RPM’s and torque loads. In the tested RPM range from 500 to 1200 1/min. with torque from 600 to a max. of 4000 Nm the maximum deviation from the DLG measurement value was under 1 %! The torque constant over 30 minutes at 1200 Nm and 1000 brake rotations was also assessed with > very good < showing a deviation of 0.4.

The dynamometer can be used for both left or right rotating drives, optionally external units such as a fuel consumption measurement device and/or diesel smoke emission tester can be connected.

“Workshop live“ – Career possibilities in a future-oriented industry

A special initiative at the Agritechnica titled “Workshop live“ dealt with the issue of the shortage of qualified agricultural machinery mechanics offering practical awareness training for this dilemma. Career contents and opportunities including further education were presented. The competent training and ongoing education of apprentices has always been a component of the the MAHA philosophy- – hetra as a MAHA subsidiary fully backs this philosophy. The “Workshop live“ seminar already enjoyed widespread public attention and acceptance in 2007. hetra’s participation this year was without question, to assist in countering the situation in the industry’s training and employment market.