German powertrain specialist ZF,with its Off-Road Driveline Technology and Axle Systems business unit managed by ZF Passau, has
evolved toward becoming a complete system supplier for virtually all off-highway vehicle markets. While the bulk of its sales has been in construction equipment, the company has seen growing success in the agricultural equipment markets.
Further evidence of ZF’s progress in the ag industry was Italian tractor manufacturer Same Deutz-Fahr’s selection of ZF Passau as its Supplier of the Year 2008 for Best Innovation. ZF’s cooperation with Same Deutz-Fahr started in 2004 with a strategic partnership that made ZF sole transmission supplier for the Same Deutz-Fahr production facility in Lauingen, Germany. Since the beginning of 2008 ZF has also supplied Same Deutz-Fahr’s head quarters facility in Treviglio, Italy.
According to ZF, in 2008 it supplied Same Deutz-Fahr almost 10 000 Series T 7100, T 7200 and T 7300 powershift transmissions, as well as Eccom continuously variable transmissions. In April of this year, it will begin supplying its S-Matic 180 continuously variable transmission to Same Deutz-Fahr.
It is interesting to note that 35% of the total sales of ZF’s Off-Road Driveline Technology and Axle Systems business units in 2007 were for construction machinery and 13% (E266 million) went to agricultural machinery.
Within the agricultural business, ZF said Eastern Europe is its fastest growing market, and the continuously variable transmissions (CVT) product group is showing a continuous growth trend. In 2007, that segment represented 32.8% of ZF’s sales for agricultural applications.
Dr. Karl Grad, responsible for product development of agricultural products at ZF Passau, explained how the company’s wide range of components for agricultural vehicles is composed. “In terms of products for tractor applications, the transmissions product group includes CVTs from circa 75 to 280 kW, with the Eccom and S-Matic series,” Grad said. “We are presently developing the Eccom 5.0 transmission that will reach approximately 367 kW, or 500 hp.
“We also offer a range of powershift transmissions, with the T-7000 family from 56 to 194 kW and two series of syncromesh transmissions the T-500 and T-600, from 37 to 138 kW.”
Grad also noted that ZF “developed a range of agricultural front steering axles, the AS-3000, from 67 to 134 kW.” ZF also developed its Engine Transmission Management System and a Vehicle Engine Transmission Controller Unit (VETU) for ag machinery,Grad added.
The most significant new product initiative is the Eccom 5.0, a continuously variable transmission for input powers of up to 367 kW, set for launch in 2010.
Grad said this transmission will feature an integrated modern electronic control and a highly efficient pump drive for the working and steering hydraulics.
“The Eccom 5.0 will have a newly adapted reverse drive range and an optional fitting of PTO clutch with integrated PTO brake,” he said. “The PTO stub will be freely rotatable in standstill.”
The Eccom continuously variable transmissions are mainly designed for vehicles with frame-built chassis. The smaller sister in the series, the Eccom 3.5, was specially developed for a tractor family by German manufacturer Claas, the new Xerion line, composed of the Xerion
3300 and Xerion 3800 tractors.
These are tractors with an area behind the cab designed to allow mounting of things such as seed tanks. The tractors are powered by six-cylinder turbo charged and intercooled Caterpillar diesel engines in two power versions:
a. 246 kW at 1600 to 1800 r/min for the Xerion 3300,
b. 279 kW at 1800 r/min for the Xerion 3800.
Claas said the Xerion tractors can be operated in four drive modes. Automotive mode allows it to be operated like an automobile by simply depressing the accelerator pedal. Cruise mode will keep the forward and reverse speeds constant through a cruise control. Manual mode is
optional and allows engine speed and gear ratio to be selected independently.
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