Raising Your Expectations for Agricultural Equipment Control Solutions

HydraForce technology is increasing productivity of harvesting machines around the world. Precise and responsive control of cutting, chopping, shaking, sorting, rotating, spreading, conveying, brushing, raising and lowering is made possible with our comprehensive line of cartridge valves, custom manifolds, and high performance electronic controls.


Our electrohydraulic control solutions can help you deliver the highest yields of quality crop from any field, vineyard, or orchard.


Innovative, custom-tailored control solutions provide a competitive advantage for agricultural equipment in the harvesting sector. Here are some of the many ways HydraForce controls can enhance your hydraulic equipment.

 

Request an engineering consultation to learn how we can improve the performance of your equipment.

 

Application Details

Main Control Solutions

• Consolidates all harvesting functions
• Ensures efficient use of available horsepower
• Allows for additional installed options

 

Header Control Solutions

• Provide smooth and responsive raising and lowering of the header.
• “Float” solution

The lift, lower and tilt functions of the header are controlled with the cartridge valves in the Header Manifold. HydraForce can offer multi-function valves with integrated compensators and load sense capabilities to accomplish smooth and responsive raising/lowering of the header.

 

 

The Main Control for a combine consolidates all harvesting functions the chaff spreader, reel drive, auger swing, feeder - reverser, reel raise/lower and reel fore/aft - ensuring efficient use of available horsepower.

A new function can be added without affecting existing functions, allowing the opportunity for additional dealer-installed options after the combine leaves the factory. Applying our broad range of logic elements can resolve common system issues, such as pressure spikes and unstable or erratic operation.

 


The New HSPEC Family
• Ensures scalable flow capacity
• Built-in compensator and load-sense
• Compact, cost-effective flow sharing
• Flexibility for proper control of position and
pressure while harvesting or during transport

 

 

 

 

Suspension


HydraForce custom header ride control solutions can be integrated into the header height control manifold, or designed as a stand alone system.

The following options are available:

• Stand-alone or integrated
• Flow rates up to 260 lpm (70gpm)
• Dynamic or passive systems

 


Basic Suspension
This basic hydro-pneumatic suspension system is ideal for cabin or seat suspension.

• Single or double acting cylinder
• Accumulator
• Level control manifold
• Cartridge valves
• Pressure ratio 1:3 between min and max loaded axle

 

Advanced Suspension
Travelling over rough or uneven ground is typical for harvesters. When there is a high variance between minimum and maximum axle load, a more sophisticated axle suspension system is required, with a spring rate that adjusts continuously to driving speed, acceleration, and terrain.

• Single or double-acting system
• Independent accumulators for cylinder • piston and rod side
• Constant or variable pressure on rod side Integral sensors
• Software development

Powertrain


The flexibility of cartridge valving is demonstrated in a multi-speed transmisstion circuit that provides the full range of control possibilities. On/off clutch control, four-wheel drive and park brake engagement, and gear shifting can all be orchestrated with a mix of electroproportional valves, solenoid valves, and piloted spool-type directional elements.

• Reliable and cost-effective
• Eliminate proportional output and valve
• Control on / off pressure to accessories

 

In this example, the 3rd gear and reverse are never engaged at the same time. Here you can use a solenoid valve to allow a single proportional pressure control valve to control either clutch pack. EPxx-S35 line of valves are stable, high flow, pressure regulators used to provide oil to the valves that control the transmission’s clutch packs and the torque converter.

 

Fan Control


Fan drives controlled by hydraulic cartridge valves are quieter and run on less horsepower than mechanical fan drives, providing greater fuel economy for combines.

• Flow rates up to 190 lpm (50 gpm)
• Fail safe high or low
• Preconfigured controls available • Reduce
  horsepower consumption by up to 30%

 

HydraForce is pleased to offer a full line of electronic vehicle control products integrating engine, transmission and other machine functions into a common J1939 or CAN Open Data Link control circuit.

These systems consist of rugged, field-proven components suitable for heavy-duty operating conditions. PWM digital signal logic maximizes efficiency, response and signal integrity under harsh environmental conditions. Reliability has been proven through extensive testing, as well as years of real-world application experience.

This is a complete line of the most rugged, heavy duty vehicle machine controllers, monitors, displays and electrical connectors for motion control and integrated machine control applications in mobile, off-highway and material handling equipment.

  • Reliable operation in the most demanding mobile equipment applications
  • Operating temperatures from -40 to 85°C
  • Chemical splash immunity
  • Moisture resistance to IP67 specifications
  • Fully resistant to EMI/RFI
  • Vibration resistant to 8 Grms (random) 24–200 Hz, 3-axis

Associated Applications

Telehandlers

Telehandlers

Gravity lowering | Main control | Variable speed fan drives | Steering and brake controls | Powertrain | Load moment limitation Learn More
Tractors

Tractors

Implement | Auxiliary | Pilot controls Learn More
Planters / Seeders

Planters / Seeders

Loading/unloading | Distribution fan | Vacuum pump | Fold/unfold | Downforce control | Depth control | Boom float | Steering Learn More

IOT Fleet Management for Combine Harvesters

Implemented on combine harvesters, HydraForce Internet of Things (IOT) technology improves reliability and availability and can even extend its lifetime. This is achieved by capturing and reporting operating data, such as main and head control, suspension, powertrain and transmission, variable speed fan drives, electronic controls and others, as well as through enhanced control and improved asset utilization.


Many farms make substantial investments in agricultural machinery. IOT fleet management technology from HydraForce raises ROI by improving availability and reducing maintenance costs.


IOT Fleet Management Solutions  

  • Monitoring and logging of key operating characteristics (cycles, hours, temperatures, pressures, vibration, etc.)
  • Reporting of key performance indicators
  • Remote adjustment of on-board settings (maximum permitted speeds, loads, etc.)
  • Updating of onboard software
  • Geo-location
  • Reducing the risk of breakdown and preventing unnecessary maintenance