New Crops Need New Belts
Components for agriculture are constantly evolving and not always are humans the source for impetus.
People who drive past cornfields meters high in late summer are often unaware of what an all-round talent this plant of Mexican origin is. As a foodstuff, it ends up grilled on our plates or popped on the couch to sweeten a movie night. Converted into biogas or fuel, it is one of the renewable energy sources of the future. And for many farmers, it guarantees that their livestock have nutritious and vitamin-rich fodder even in winter. One of the world's oldest and most productive crops is the number one grain, ahead of wheat or rice.
But in the nearly 7,000 years that corn has been cultivated by mankind, the plant has changed significantly: from just 2.5 centimeters long cobs that grew on a short bush to today's high-performance plants of up to three meters’ lengths and 40 centimeter cobs. And so, our development experts must base their innovations in agriculture not only on the wishes of manufacturers and machine operators but also on the requirements of the plant itself.
Strong belts for more sustainability
Material development plays a prominent role in finding the optimum solution. If, for example, the previous chloroprene-based materials are replaced with EPDM, the temperature resistance of the belts increases. In addition to resistance under extreme conditions, such innovations have another advantage: those who produce more robust belts that can be designed narrower while maintaining the same performance save a lot of material – and thus contribute directly to a more resource-efficient economy. Sustainability goals can also lead to new materials being developed for use in agriculture.
Turning old into new
Finally, there is another starting point for Continental engineers to develop innovations for the agricultural industry: replacing the old with the new to protect soil, plants and machinery. To make the harvesting process more efficient and productive or to increase comfort for farmers and harvest workers.
For example, the cobs from sweet corn must not be damaged during harvesting, is first reaped using a harvester specially designed for the two-meter-long plants. This not only cuts them off, but also separates the cobs from the stalk and then transports them into the collection container. Until now, this last step has been carried out using heavy steel chains, which require a lot of maintenance and can damage the cob. Today, these chains are being replaced with a belt fitted with nubs, which gently collects the cobs and transports them into the collection container. Another benefit: unlike steel chains, belt maintenance doesn’t require oil, which in turn benefits the environment.
With all these developments, whether triggered by the manufacturer, external conditions or new plant varieties, it is important to bear in mind that it can take years from the first idea to the start of series production. Since there is a short time window for field trials under real harvest conditions. However, this staying power pays off for Continental, which can supply manufacturers of agricultural machinery with suitable belt solutions for every application. For the manufacturer, who provides farmers with more efficient and more powerful harvesting machines. For the farmer, who enjoys more yield for his livestock. For the animals, who get high-quality feed throughout the winter. And for the end consumer and the cozy movie night on the couch – with popcorn, of course.
