Technology in Farm Machinery Field

[nomad]

We had had a long discussion about this on NewAgTalk a few years ago. Since then, I haven't seen any discussion on that on farm forums. Maybe, everybody has a say on this topic.

My claim is the technology being used in Farm Machinery field is relatively very primitive comparing to the other fields. I guess everybody agrees with me on that. If so, the question is Why so.

Ok, maybe, I need to make it (what I meant) clear. If I highlight the word "relatively" I used above before "primitive", I think it can be understood well. Okay, nobody is saying that the quantum technology or about Einstein relativity principle should also be used in farm machinery field. But the current modern technologies, new modern material alloys, etc being already used in other industry fields are not being used in current farm machinery field. Today's farm machinery technology isn't much different than that of 30 years ago. Why? Probably because scholars in technology field don't care about the farmers much. (ps: I see here there are many people whose occupations are different; retired engineers, cumputer guys, etc etc. So, you probably see things in this field different.)

Give an example or two on a tool/machinery in which a modern technology is used.

 

[Deerlope]

I don't understand what it is that want to discuss.

 

[JerryG]

Most of the higher technology starts at the top of the food chain. The large farmers have very hi-tech equipment. Most of the top end equipment is computer and GPS controlled. The fields and crops are plotted, the input and the out puts. They have shiftless transmissions, air ride, computer controlled braking. All of this filter down, some of the compact tractors are now starting to see it. Electronic dashes, electronic three points and sensor controlled shifts to name a few. (
And yes I may have said somethings twice or misspelled somethings or it may have been unclear, I left my glasses at my other farm today and can't see.)

 

[nomad]

Electronic and computer technology, TO ME, aren't high techs. They are only a mechanisms of control systems. Control systems bring actually nothing to new technology. This is my opinion of course. To me, the high tech is somethings different. For ex., to me, high techs are new composite materials (which could be used in the engines of tractors), special heat resistent and/or stress resistent material alloys, new dynamic/kinematic mechanisms with very low friction coefficients between working parts, laser technology, etc. All these are already being used in other industries, except farm machinery/implement/tool industry. No? Not knowing much about farm machinery field, maybe. I'd like to hear such techs being used in farm industry.

 

[ScottAR]

Cost to manufacter, resulting in more expensive machinery to farmers for somthing that doesn't work any better than current materials.

 

[rockinmywaypa]

Do you work in the aerospace industry or why does it matter? The only driving force to new technology is the almighty buck.If it can be produced cheaper or for more profit then you will see it in abundance. Otherwise whatever you may be considering is just going to sit on a desk as a prototype blueprint. Yes my car has a lot of metal replaced with plastic composits ditto for my tractors.But the machines I run at work are probably forty years old and are still being used because the speed they run makes the rods we manufacture a fraction of the price of the other dozen or so cnc's that also are running.Ceramic engines may come yet but enough people have to have the desire and ability to pay for them before you'll see any on the market. Have a very happy holiday and new year.

 

[Deerlope]

Well you are a little out of my field on this subject so I will just read and learn. But as one person just said the almighty buck dictates what and how machinery will be built.

 

[JerryG]

I think that you are out of touch with what is need on a real farm.

 

[MossRoad]

Intesting thoughts. If you mean technology to be the materials the machine is made out of, well I can give this example...

In aircraft, lighter is better. Hence, the use of carbon fiber, etc....

In farming, what advantage would there be to making a tractor lighter? Well, there could be less soil compaction, but if there is no weight for traction, it won't pull a plow.

Cost. Those high tech materials are very expensive. Again, using the airplane example... the cost in fuel savings will pay for the cost of the materials over time. Now the tractor will probably not get any better mileage by being lighter because it still has to pull that plow through the soil.

So, I just don't see any advantage to hi tech materials over steel in a tractor frame or implements.

Maybe they could gain some advantages with high tech metals in plow blades or something like that. If it could cut the soil with less drag and still be able to stand up to hitting a big old rock, it might pay off.

Also, high tech materials in bearings, seals, hydraulics and such are probably already in use.

<font color="blue"> But the current modern technologies, new modern material alloys, etc being already used in other industry fields are not being used in current farm machinery field. Today's farm machinery technology isn't much different than that of 30 years ago. </font>

How do we know this statement is true? I'm pretty sure big ag companies like Deere are constantly researching the best materials to use in their products in terms of cost to them, profits to them, and value to their customers. They wouldn't have been around for a hundred years if they weren't. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[chim]

I guess titanium fenders would be a real conversation piece. Of course we'd need to develop a new ballast liquid with a greater specific gravity.

Not quite sure where we're headed here. Some tools lend themselves to evolution more than others. What quantum leaps have been made on a single bit axe in your lifetime? Look at the model 1911 pistol. John Browning was tinkering around with this design nearly 100 years ago. It is still used - virtually unchanged - in some of the most challenging contests on the planet. Some of our government agencies who abandoned the 1911 a couple decades ago in favor of the Wundernines are scrambling to get back to the old 45.

I think tractors are pretty much the same. Few major modifications have been made over the last 30 years because the basic design has been working quite well. On the other hand, we could be just around the corner from a number of changes that will revolutionize farming. Life's funny like that....................chim