Industry News - August, 2020 - Page 3 of 4

Agri-Robotics For A Sustainable Farming Future

Time for change in our changing times?
It’s hard to think of a more important economic sector than agriculture. This is an industry that directly affects the lives of everyone the world over, despite being beset by challenges from all sides. Changes in temperature and precipitation are influencing crop yields; farmers and agricultural workers are directly exposed to the effects of weather extremes, while millions more in food-related jobs are already feeling the impact of our changing climate.
Furthermore, consumers today are increasingly aware of the issue of chemicals used in producing their food and demand sustainable production of ever tastier, higher quality produce. Finding the best way to deal with these issues and while meeting environmental pressures is causing many governments to turn to automation specialists and technology experts to try and improve the lot of the farmer, meet consumer demands, and tackle the myriad challenges confronting the industry.
Smart farming research with SMASH in Italy
Increased automation and technology within agriculture is nothing new in itself of course – in fact, it’s been happening ever since the Industrial Revolution. But what is new is how technology is being used to tackle problems related to food disease control and unstable weather patterns. The focus is now on achieving desired yields in an environmentally sustainable way, with a continuous focus on reducing the amount and type of chemicals used.
Drought, flooding and the appearance of new pests and diseases are, however, now a threat on all continents. Even Europe faces a challenge right across its farming systems. This is especially true of countries such as Italy, which faced a 57% plunge in its 2018 olive harvest – the worst in 25 years – as a result of climate change, according to scientists.
With its European research facility nestled in the hills above Florence, Italy, Yanmar R&D Europe (YRE) is well placed to focus on a variety of field-based studies to bring added value to the agriculture industry – and possibly even attract a new generation of workers to the land. These include the two-year, four-million Euros ‘SMASH’ project being carried out in cooperation with 10 technology partners to develop a mobile agricultural ‘eco-system’ to monitor, analyse and manage agricultural crops.
The acronym stands for ‘Smart Machine for Agricultural Solutions Hightech’, and this project was co-financed by the Tuscany local government. It consists of the development of a modular robotic platform that employs the latest information communications technology to examine crops and soils, analyse gathered information and provide clear, actionable information to farmers to support crop management.
One of Yanmar’s many roles was to develop control systems for the multipurpose robotic arm for mobile manipulation (including precision spraying), sensor integration for positioning technologies, and autonomous navigation and software development for the control of the system’s mobile base (in collaboration with other partners).
For YRE’s Modelling and Control Engineer Manuel Pencelli, developing a prototype agro-bot that could be used to monitor and control crops, take soil samples for analysis and accurately target agricultural chemicals for precision application, required many different areas of expertise from the beginning of the project.
“There have been many partners involved throughout. We needed mechanical expertise for developing the structure of the vehicle, and many ‘communications’ experts because we have a lot of devices that need to ‘talk’ to each other. Our starting point was in fact a tracked vehicle that was originally built for moving along a beach and cleaning the shoreline!”
“SMASH is not a single machine, but a series of different devices… that together provide vital information to help farmers.” – Manuel Pencelli
There are two working SMASH prototypes – one for grapevines and the other for spinach – to cover the two different types of crops that were originally slated for research. The former has already undergone significant testing at a vineyard farm in the Pisa province, where Manuel has been instrumental in demonstrating the possibilities that this robotic eco-system could offer farmers.
“SMASH is not a single machine, but a series of different devices including a robot, base station, drones and field sensors that together provide vital information to help farmers. A farmer could programme the task that he wants SMASH to carry out, and while he is involved in other activities, this machine could move autonomously, monitoring crops, detecting and treating diseases, and saving the farmer or his workers significant time out in the fields manually checking crops.”
Mapping and monitoring, weeding and feeding
SMASH consists of a mobile base, a robotic arm featuring manipulators and vision systems, a drone and an ancillary ground station. Imagine a system that is designed to function across a range of precision agriculture technologies, offering specific insights on geomatics, robotics, data mining, machine learning etc, while taking into account the environmental and social issues facing farmers.
For Manuel, the possibilities for SMASH are endless: “In addition to all the functions that can be performed by the robotic arm, we also have some attachments that can be mounted on the back of the vehicle for mechanical weeding, or working the soil, as it moves. This work can be done simultaneously, together with the monitoring and detection.”
Yanmar’s expertise has been in the software development for the agro-bot and the integration and installation of all of the other parties’ components. It’s a complicated mass of electronics, with wires, sensors, cameras, GPS receivers, and multiple electric motors (eight of them!) competing for space. But it all works – even on a muddy vineyard in late February where the independent steering system and superior traction is demonstrated on a variety of terrain.
“The sensor fusion was one of the most challenging aspects of this project,” adds Manuel.
“Because we have a very particular environment within fields, where a number of variables can change, such as the infrastructure, soil, shape of the fields and even other workers moving around the agro-bot. So, the localisation of the vehicle, improving the robustness of it and understanding its physical constraints were interesting – such as speed, steering angle, the positioning of, and communication between the mounted on-board devices – all these aspects can affect the motion of the vehicle.”
Strength in numbers
YRE also joined forces with Florence University’s Agriculture Department in order to further advance research activities in the field. The university has significant experience in sustainable crop management, having recently completed the EU-funded Rhea project that looked at improving crop quality, health and safety for humans, and reducing production costs by using a fleet of small, heterogeneous robots – ground and aerial – equipped with advanced sensors, enhanced end-effectors and improved decision control algorithms.
“Yanmar shares our vision to help farmers realize healthy, high-value production with a true technological system,” – Professor Marco Vieri
For the SMASH project, the university’s Professor Marco Vieri believed that a holistic approach to research was needed, alongside enabling the latest technologies: “Farming provides food, feed, fibre and fuel for humans, but we also have to consider rural, cultural and historical issues.
In the past, there was a yearly calendar of agricultural operations, but a new mindset is required these days that allows us to control and mitigate risks such as drought, pests and flooding. We needed to explore increased automation not only to enhance and increase the amount of product, but also to apply an added value.
“Yanmar shares our vision to help farmers realize healthy, high-value production with a true technological system, so our part in SMASH has been to develop equipment and effectors for the two scenarios of vineyards and horticultural field crops like spinach. We have extensive knowledge of farm machinery and new technological possibilities, so it’s about helping reduce the use of pesticides that are not safe for the micro-organisms of the soil and plants, while increasing the level of nutrients and useful bacteria.”
It’s fair to say that farmers are on the front line of the debates surrounding climate, emissions and sustainability. Even when it comes to high-value crops such as the grapes, olives and nuts found in this region of Italy, it’s hard to argue against using automated and connected agriculture to bring scientific data and farmers’ needs together. After all, robots can work 24 hours a day, they have less impact on the soil than tractors due to their smaller size.
Imagine a fleet of robots a fraction of the size of a conventional tractor and it’s easy to see the possibilities that AI-based, technology-driven precision farming can offer in the coming years. The use of drones to map fields and check crops; and agro-bots to harvest fruit, sow seeds, identify and treat weeds with exact doses of pesticide and fertiliser – it’s all about targeting efforts only in areas that need work, which allows for a reduction in labour, capital costs and emissions as a result.
With its ongoing research into advanced agricultural robotics, Yanmar is taking on the challenge of showing the possibilities and potential benefits of increased precision farming techniques in the future. Whether automated and robot tractors working the fields will become a familiar sight remains to be seen, but it’s hard to argue against using technology to sustainably increase quality and yields from the land.
And if the sound of drones hovering over crops means that farmers are able to identify growth patterns and nutrient needs, and then deliver pesticides and fertilizers with pin-point accuracy with a fleet of robots, then surely that will be a welcome addition to the tools currently used in our fields. b

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Aug 20, 2020 - 5 years ago
Supply Post Sponsored Meals For Truck Drivers This Summer

On July 20th, Supply Post Newspaper sponsored free meals for professional drivers at the Chevron Cardlock in Chilliwack, BC. The featured food truck on site was Dutchilicious, which specializes in Netherlands-inspired snacks.

“We just wanted to say Thank You,” said Supply Post president Jeff Watson. “We wanted to show our appreciation for everything truck drivers have done this year, keeping the world moving and our grocery shelves stocked. The least we could do is buy them lunch!” Watson continued.
Supply Post also sponsored a second day of meals on August 6th, at the Chevron Cardlock in Kamloops, BC. Supply Post treated professional drivers to a meal from the Cookshack Cravings food truck. Also in attendance on both days was regional account manager Jake Peterson.

The sponsorships were part of the Meals For Truck Drivers BC grassroots movement, created during the beginnings of the COVID-19 global pandemic, which helps truck drivers find meals on the road. Starting as a Facebook page created by Brad Wood of Kamloops, BC, Meals For Truck Drivers BC has since grown into a nation-wide searchable web page.

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Aug 20, 2020 - 5 years ago
CN To Purchase 1,500 New Hopper Railcars

CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) has announced that it plans to acquire 1,500 new generation, high-capacity, grain hopper cars with delivery starting in January of 2021. These new railcars will encourage the economic recovery through job creation in the North American manufacturing sector and help CN continue to meet the growing needs of grain farmers and grain customers.
“This investment, combined with our 2020 $2.9B capital investment program, will help us move more grain. We are confident in the future of the grain business and its key role in CN’s long-term growth. By investing in the construction of these new cars, we want to help quickly stimulate the North American economy by supporting manufacturing and agriculture related jobs,” said JJ Ruest, President and Chief Executive Officer, CN.
“CN’s Canadian grain movements continue to break records, month after month, and these new higher-capacity hopper cars will help perpetuate our growth in this key sector of the North American economy. By purchasing new hopper cars for the second time in two years, we are continuing to deliver on our commitment to grain farmers, grain customers and the overall supply chain to expand our collective capacity through fleet renewal. Through this investment, we will be able to support and expand our movements of grain to international markets as demand continues to increase,” James Cairns, Senior Vice-President, Rail Centric Supply Chain, CN.

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Aug 10, 2020 - 5 years ago
5 Things To Consider When Buying A New Excavator

Here are the most important factors you should consider when buying a new excavator - and the right attachments - for your next job.
Excavators have been, and continue to be, one of the most important and sought-after machines in the construction industry. No matter the site or project, it is crucial to have a powerful excavator that can get the job done and be ready to go the next time you need it. Obvious as it may be, not all excavators are the same. Likewise, not all sites and projects are the same. While you can’t necessarily consider future site needs, it’s important to understand what excavators perform best for the work you are and will be doing. With all this in mind, here are the most important factors you should consider when buying a new excavator.

1. Excavation Needs
What do you specifically need from an excavator? This question may seem open-ended, but it is exactly the question you need to ask yourself when buying a new excavator. There are several different things to consider when evaluating your needs from an excavator:
Knowing the spec requirements for the job.
Determining if the excavator is needed for minimal or heavy use. Over usage of an excavator not designed to withstand that amount of work can lead to excavator damage or premature required maintenance.
Understanding the jobsite and the difficulties that may arise from it.
Considering what attachments you may need. Popular and versatile options include couplers, rippers, buckets and hammers.
These are all important factors when comparing excavator makes and models. Failure to take the above into consideration could result in excavator damage, poor performance, poor job efficiency and more.

2. Size
When it comes to excavators, bigger doesn’t always mean better. Understanding what size excavator you need, whether it be compact, standard or large, will be valuable to you and your operating staff. Purchasing an excavator that is too small will result in performance issues as compact excavators do not have the digging power or depth needed in jobs that require large excavators.
On the contrary, purchasing an excavator that is too large is considered overkill in every sense of the word. The amount of investment that goes into a large excavator, whether it be the machine itself, maintenance or means of transportation is substantial and should be carefully considered at every turn.
Fortunately for buyers, there are many different configurations available within each size
category, so it should not be a problem to narrow down your sizing needs.

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Aug 10, 2020 - 5 years ago
Terex Trucks TA300 Proves Top Of The Class On Texas High School Construction Projects

Five Terex Trucks TA300 articulated haulers are rebalancing almost 500,000 yd3 of material in heavy rain to prepare the ground for two major new high school construction projects in Houston, Texas.
It’s back to school for Franco Builders as the family-owned contractor takes on two major new high school projects in the Houston area – Alvin ISD (Independent School District) High School 4 and Fort Bend ISD High School 12. The 550,000 ft2 Alvin ISD High School 4 will accommodate around 2,500 students, while the 485,000 ft2 Fort Bend ISD High School 12 will provide space for 2,800. Both ISDs are experiencing unprecedented enrolment growth with at least 1,000 new students joining each year since 2014. The new schools will alleviate the overcrowding on existing campuses and help future-proof the districts as rapid residential development continues. They will incorporate academic, athletic and fine arts areas and are planned to open in time for the 2022-2023 school year.
Houston-based earthworks and underground utility specialist Franco Builders won the tender to prepare the building pads, as well as rebalance the soil across the entire campuses. “We have over a million truck yards of material to rebalance over each jobsite – it’s a massive undertaking,” says Jose Zuniga, who founded Franco Builders along with Manuel Franco in 2002. Helping Jose, Manuel and their team to complete the work is a fleet of five Terex Trucks TA300 articulated haulers, leased since March 2020 through local dealer Easton Sales and Rentals.

Competitive spirit
“We’ve rented TA300s from Easton for quite a few years now – we just fell in love with them,” Jose explains. “We even rented some for the first few months on the Alvin job but we still have over a year of work to do on the site, so it made sense to switch to a lease agreement.”
“Terex Trucks has a terrific lease program,” says Vic Palermo, Sales Representative at Easton Sales & Rentals. “Each hauler has guaranteed service and full warranty on everything so it’s a good business decision. It can save a lot of money for the contractor and can help them be more competitive in the bidding process.”

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Aug 10, 2020 - 5 years ago
Curb Roller Offers World’s First Battery-Powered Roller Screed

Curb Roller Manufacturing, the world leader in shaped concrete roller screeds, offers the Batt Screed 6000, the industry’s first battery-powered roller screed. The lightweight, versatile roller screed operates with no cords, hoses or fumes, offering unparalleled mobility, precision and efficiency to contractors of all sizes.
The Batt Screed eliminates the hassle of working around a cord and the added weight of an engine mounted on the screed. The unit gets its power from a removable and rechargeable 60-volt lithium ion DeWalt FLEXVOLT battery. Contractors may be familiar with this line of batteries and their versatile use in smaller or heavy-duty cordless tools like hammer drills or cutoff saws. One fully charged battery is estimated to screed off 1,800-2,500 square feet, depending on the slump and pipe length. By eliminating an auxiliary power source, the Batt Screed 6000 can be operated almost anywhere. Unlike gas, electric and hydraulic roller screeds, the Batt Screed eliminates exhaust fumes, power cords and the need for hydraulic power sources, making it ideal for indoor operation or use in tight spaces.
The Batt Screed easily accommodates jobs from 3 to 22 feet with expandable tube inserts, making it highly versatile. This flexibility makes it ideal for both small and large jobs including bike trails, golf cart paths, garage pads, shed floors, grain bin pads and parking lots.
“Our Curb Roller team is continuously looking to lead the industry with products that make customers more profitable,” said Seth Ulmer, Curb Roller Manufacturing sales manager. “We don’t design ‘me too’ products. We provide the tools that contractors want, with the features that allow them to get more jobs done.”
The Batt Screed provides a consistently higher-quality finished product than vibrating screeds or screed boards. It eliminates the need for back-breaking work, providing an ideal solution for contractors who want to get more flatwork done in less time — all with a better, flatter finished product.
Because roller screeds spin the concrete into shape versus vibrating the concrete, larger aggregate, and more of it, remains near the surface of the slab, providing increased structural integrity. Conversely, vibrating screeds use vibration to form the concrete which often causes the aggregate to fall to the bottom of the slab, leaving the concrete more open to spalling.
With a lightweight design and a folding handle, the Batt Screed 6000 is easy to operate and transport. The smart and simple design includes an adjustable right- or left-hand speed control, variable speed in both high and low ranges, and a three-position handle that allows for a more ergonomic operation for operators. The multi-position handle gives operators more versatility when it comes to obstacles or limiting factors during a pour. For example, if a contractor is pouring a driveway, they can position the handle outward to allow them to walk outside of the forms.
The Batt Screed design includes a heavy-duty kickstand that enables the operator to leave the screed free-standing during a pour. Other screeds that don’t have this feature risk being set in wet concrete or dust, which can be detrimental to the operation of the machine. The kickstand increases the cleanliness and longevity of the unit.
The Batt Screed’s kickstand and handle fold and lock away for compact and lightweight transport without removing the battery, reducing the risk of broken parts during transport. The Batt Screed features strong connection points that help prevent unnecessary wear or breakage.
The single pin connection on both ends allows the operator to remove the pipe from the handles in less than 60 seconds. The quick assembly and break down of the Batt Screed enhance productivity enabling contractors to complete more projects each day.
“Time is money on any construction project,” Ulmer said. “The faster a contractor can complete the job and get on to the next jobsite, the more profitable they can be. The Batt Screed addresses that challenge and so much more.”
The Batt Screed’s premier all-steel housing protects the motor and electrical components inside from moisture, concrete and accidental impact, and an access door protects the battery from dirt and debris.

About Curb Roller Manufacturing
Curb Roller Manufacturing has been the world leader in shaped concrete roller screeds for more than 10 years. With high-quality products for everyday concrete work, Curb Roller’s ergonomic machines not only make it easy to shape standard curb, gutter, and sidewalks, but also flume, v-gutter, swale, and other unique shapes. Their flagship product, the award-winning CRM4000 Curb Roller, opened the door for additional products like the Hydra-Screed and the battery-powered Batt Screed and corded Eel Screed. For more information: Curb Roller Manufacturing, 112 South Main, Fairview, Kan., 66425; 785-467-3132; [email protected]; www.curbroller.com; or on Facebook.

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Aug 10, 2020 - 5 years ago