Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - October 2021 - 5

TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS
" We wanted the machine to be nimble; we don't need to go fast. It's nowhere
near moving at passenger-car speeds. " - Kent Thompson, Vermeer's R&D manager
A small screen mounted in cabs shows bearing
temperatures, alerting operators when failures
may be imminent.
A lidar-based guidance system
lets baler operators focus on
tasks other than steering.
must be explored when human drivers
are not in control. That makes physical
testing for all scenarios nearly impossible,
so Vermeer is moving to do more
virtual testing.
" We're doing a lot of field testing
now because we're good at that, but
we're working towards doing more with
simulations, " Thompson said. " The percentage
of our testing that's done with
simulation is going up. "
Windrow guidance system
The Bale Hawk may eventually be
paired with another system arising from
research by Forage Innovations.
Vermeer is addressing baling with a
windrow guidance system that can be
installed on the Vermeer ZR5-1200 selfpropelled
baler. Like the Bale Hawk, this
system also uses lidar sensors to track
the windrow and guide the machine's
automatic steering system.
Lidar spots windrows of mown hay
and tracks them, freeing the operator
from some of the tiring tasks associated
with hay baling. Operators do not have
to steer, allowing them to focus on other
aspects of baling so optimal bale
quality can be achieved. This module is
TRUCK & OFF-HIGHWAY ENGINEERING
nearing production, but Thompson did
not set a timeline for its introduction.
Planning ahead
Vermeer also is working up a predictive
diagnostic system that will help operators
minimize downtime. It's designed
to be mounted on the ZR5 baler,
though it eventually can be extended to
a range of vehicles. A wireless sensor
module can be mounted near bearings,
alerting operators when changes in the
bearing's operating temperature foretell
failure. That lets them plan maintenance,
avoiding the downtime that
comes when bearings fail unexpectedly.
" The wireless sensor mounts can be
bolted anywhere. It's usually attached
to the end of a shaft so it can monitor
temperature and determine when it's
time for repairs, " Thompson said. " The
thermistor sends the temperature to a
display module that's mounted in the
cab. When the temperature gets to a
certain threshold, the corresponding
icon will turn yellow. At the next temperature
level, it glows red. "
That module is currently being tested
on baling equipment including the ZR5
and the Bale Hawk concept vehicle.
Thompson noted that these vehicles
have many critical bearings, typically as
many as 16 to 18.
Apps in charge
Vermeer sees apps as an important element
for programming and monitoring
performance. At the outset of bale retrieval,
a Google app can be used to set
the parameters of the field and pinpoint
where bales should be stacked. Using
this approach instead of relying on GPS
measurements makes it simpler for contractors
to operate in fields they have
not previously worked. Many farmers do
not have GPS data for all their property,
so using an app is a universal solution.
Vermeer also has developed an app,
Forage Commander, that connects any
Bluetooth device to the data gateway
unit on the baler. This app provides real-time
field stats that include bale
weight, bale moisture and bales per
hour, letting service providers quickly
generate an invoice to email directly to
the operator's customer.
" This app is really designed for an
operator who wants to better understand
their productivity in the field or is
looking for a more convenient tool to
help manage their custom hay operation, "
said Vermeer product manager
Shawn Wang.
Terry Costlow
October 2021 5
BOTH IMAGES: VERMEER
Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - October 2021

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