High-tech apple harvesters powerd by Perm electric drives

Heinzmann Press Report (February, 2012)

The lifting platform EVO04 from SAMATEC is fitted with PMS brushless disc-type motors. These are ensuring safe and efficient mobility over steep terrain and at the same time meet ecological demands. The PMS disc-type motor series is characterised by the patented technology developed by PERM. Perm Motor GmbH has been completely integrated into the HEINZMANN Group in 2012.

In Vinschgau, South Tyrol, almost everything revolves around the apple, with the “Bio-Vinschgau” brand leading the way for Europe’s organic production with the largest continuous fruit-growing region. Environmental awareness and ecology are strongly rooted in the culture of South Tyrol, which makes it unsurprising that Samatec, the agricultural machinery manufacturer located in Prad am Stilfser Joch, is so well known for its electric drive machinery. “Lifting platforms like our new EVO4 are on the go for 600 hours each year, even more in the tramlines of the orchards,” explains Max Gritsch, who manages Samatec GmbH together with son Sascha. The special lifting platforms bring the workers up to working height, compensating in the process for gradients and lateral inclinations. This guarantees safe working procedures from a horizontally positioned platform. In order to avoid the noise and diesel emissions of classic drives, Samatec has fitted the EVO4 with electric motors; more specifically a brush-less disc-type motor with gear unit and controller on every wheel hub. And thanks to the generous motor design based on PERM technology, the lifting platforms boast enormous load reserves.

Designed for steep terrain, the EVO4 lifting platforms can tackle slopes with gradients up to 45°. The machines themselves weigh around two tons and can carry an additional four people plus up to 400 kg of harvesting weight. In order to ensure smooth driving in all situations and at speeds between 30 cm/min and 5 km/h, a coordinated solution of strong motor and high gear reduction is required. The disc-type motors from HEINZMANN‘s PMS series are equipped with electromagnetic brakes. One particular feature here is the energy recovery, reaching up to 35 % travelling downhill. Placing the drives on the wheel hubs demands an extremely compact design. “If nothing else, we need to guide the machinery around the narrowest of spaces, with the front wheels turned at a steering angle of 52° to facilitate access to the next tramline,” continues Gritsch. With their compact size and flat shape, the disc-type motors from HEINZMANN with patented PERM technology are perfect for the axially restricted installation space offered by the wheel hubs of the EVO4. High performance and greater efficiency mean the servo motors boast a more efficient drive solution and facilitate, with just four batteries at 255 Ah, onboard operation of approx. 12 hours, i.e. up to three days depending on their use. The brushless design of the disc-type motors, without parts subject to wear such as carbon brushes or collectors, also fits right in with the concept from Samatec: ecological, safe and at the same time low-maintenance equipment for work in orchards.