Weeds quickly removed

Cultivation system removes weeds and reduces the use of herbicides

Profile

What was needed:
iglidur® plain bearing

Requirements:
Weather-resistant, continuous use, dirt resistance

Success for the customer:
In addition to the requirements, the iglidur® plain bearings are maintenance-free and the bearing points do not require additional lubrication.

Weed removal with the Thiessen Tillage cultivation system

"Many farmers are confronted with this problem and this solution does not require any additional equipment and significantly reduces the use of fat."

Ryan Thiessen

Owner and operator of Thiessen Tillage

Problem:

The device is exposed to the weather and dirt. The test with steel bushings and deep groove ball bearings quickly showed that they were too maintenance-intensive. A cost-effective and maintenance-free alternative was sought.

Solution:

Thanks to the incorporated solid lubricants in the iglidur® materials, iglidur® plain bearings are maintenance-free and require no additional lubricants. In addition, the plain bearings are extremely durable and thus save maintenance effort and costs for lubricants.

Better harvest results with iglidur plain bearings

Thiessen Tillage Equipment has developed a cultivation system for vineyards, tree nurseries and orchards that enables rapid weeding between plants. The system not only reduces the use of herbicides, but also offers more protection for crops and a better harvest result, as it can adapt passively to changes in the soil contour. The system does not rely on electronics or hydraulics, but on the mechanical feedback of soil pressure. iglidur® bearings are used in the system's parallel linkage, which allows the weed control head to float vertically depending on soil conditions. The device is now being used throughout North America and is beginning to make inroads in other countries around the world.

"Grease is an excellent lubricant, but there is a lot of dust and soil in agriculture. These impurities quickly settle in the grease and result in a dirty and ineffective sludge."

Ryan Thiessen

Owner and operator of Thiessen Tillage

The device is mounted on the tractor and is therefore exposed to all weather conditions as well as sand and soil. There were three further problems for Thiessen Tillage to solve:

1. there is constant movement in the bearing points, albeit at low speed.
2. the bearing points are subjected to radial loads
3. the risk of failure due to insufficient lubrication

Initially, the company experimented with greased steel bushes and deep groove ball bearings. However, low-maintenance plain bearings were required that could be used easily and cost-effectively and withstand the harsh environmental conditions. So the decision was made in favour of iglidur® plain bearings.

By using iglidur® bearings, Thiessen Tillage Equipment was able to dispense with the use of grease nipples at the bearing points. The iglidur® bearings also offered advantages in terms of design. By using them, the design and size of the mounting system could be adapted. For the end customer, they offer the advantage that they can be easily replaced in their own workshop if necessary.

"By switching to igus® Hightech-plastic, we were able to reduce maintenance time and costs. We no longer have to grease our equipment, which makes cleaning easy as the grease no longer contains impurities and sticks to the steel. The result is a better, cleaner-looking product."