Environmental protection and energy efficiency: rubber tracks for sustainable agriculture
Agritechnica 2023
Güglingen, 9 November 2023. From 12 to 18 November, WEBER-HYDRAULIK will be presenting its products for sustainable agriculture at Agritechnica in Hanover. One solution in the agricultural machinery sector is the use of cylinders and control blocks for soil-friendly and energy-efficient rubber tracks.
Healthy soils are the foundation of successful agriculture. They have received increasing attention, not least because of the hot and dry summers of recent years. One problem associated with agricultural soil management is soil compaction, which leads to the erosion of harmful substances. Excessive compaction also affects the soil’s ability to absorb and store water. This can lead to further problems down the line, including drought-related crop failures. Farmers additionally face the challenge of tractors and other towing vehicles with conventional wheels getting stuck or not being able to work the soil at all, especially in difficult soil conditions in the spring and autumn.
Agricultural machines with conventional tyres concentrate their weight on a few points, compacting the surface and making the machine more likely to sink into the ground. Tractors, combines or forage harvesters fitted with rubber tracks distribute their weight evenly over a large area, reducing soil compaction. WEBER-HYDRAULIK develops the necessary cylinders and control blocks in close cooperation with agricultural equipment manufacturers. “Less compacted soils are well aerated and better hold water and nutrients, naturally promoting plant growth. Uncompacted subsoils also retain their function as a reservoir for CO2 and harmful substances. In agriculture, it’s essential to maintain soil vitality in order to benefit from its good properties, especially in times of climate change”, says Luca Grott, Key Account Manager Agriculture of the WEBER-HYDRAULIK Group.
Another advantage of rubber tracks is their large contact surface. The resulting increase in traction enables machines to deliver effortless performance even in difficult terrain and adverse ground conditions. This increases energy efficiency compared to machines with conventional wheels. “That’s how our cylinders and control blocks actively contribute to more sustainable agriculture”, says Luca Grott.
