EIMA 2006--Technical Innovations highlight the show.

For any journalist attending EIMA, there are so many exhibits with interesting equipment that it is hard to make choices for those that will end up in print. It's the same for North American dealers, distributors, manufacturers who attend EIMA to look for new and innovative machines for their diverse markets in the U.S. and Canada.

Of special interest to most people are the winners of EIMA's 21st edition contest for Technical Innovation by the exhibitors. Judging is based on solving problems in the agricultural industry, with particular attention to the equipment's ergonomy, safety at work and environmental protection. Other machines worthy of notice are selected as Mentions. Winners of the Technical Innovation awards and other machines worthy of notice as Mentions are grouped near the show's entrance, where visitors can inspect them up close.

The Committee for Technical Innovation that judges the competition is comprised of experts from the Department of Agricultural Economics and Engineering of the University of Bologna, the C.N.R. (Italian Authority for Research), Club of Bologna, A.I.A. (Association of Italian Breeders), Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, representatives of Italian manufacturers, representatives of Italian farmers and ENAMA (National Agency for Agricultural Mechanization). The Committee selected the following eight products as Technical Innovations highlighted at EIMA 2006, held in mid-November.

Braking Axle with Device for Varying Track Width

The device provides construction solutions for quickly and easily regulating the track width in the field. It is built with maneuvering screws and related master screws that allow the wheels on the fixed part of the axle to be distanced and brought together. This ensures that the movement of the trailer towed by the tractor causes the distance between the wheels to vary continuously. The distance of the wheels in use is blocked by a bolted flange. (A.D.R. SpA; www.adraxles.com)

Leaf Blower Model BL6S

Modifications to this backpack leaf blower significantly reduces noise and improves safety and ergonomic features. The unit features a rotating blower with a variable-shaped blade arrangement on opposite sides that channel the exhaust gas, cooling air and ventilation air into the blower tube. Reconfiguration of the blades resulted in greater balance of the rotating parts and greater flow of air, and made it possible for the unit to be enclosed in shell-vaults with soundproofing materials applied. (Cifarelli SpA; www.cifarelli.it)

Electronic Pedal with Spring, with Lamination Construction and Integral Sensor

The pedal is made up of a lever with a fulcrum at the base, by means of a laminated spring made of a composite material with a built-in strain gauge. On one side, the laminated spring is mounted on the base of the pedal without need for a hinge, buckle or any component liable to generate kinematics. On the other side, the spring is integrated in the lever of the pedal without any additional link. Thus, friction and any phenomena which might generate wear are avoided. (Flexball Italiana Srl; www.flexballitaliana.com)

Axis Fertilizer Broadcaster with CDA Distribution System

Various devices improve spreading performance and the ability to regulate it. A CDA distribution system is fitted, making use of a distributor's innovative shape and position at the bottom of the hopper. This ensures a strong flow of mass at the desired width and a precise distribution of fertilizer, based on the broadcasting diaphragm in relation to the distribution angles. The machine also allows precise spreading of fertilizer along the edges of the plots. (Kuhn SA; www.kuhn.it)

Telehandler with Hydro-Pneumatic Cab Suspension

The telehandler's cab is suspended from the frame by a kinematic mechanism made up of a flexible system with nitrogen accumulators and shock absorbers. The machine is also equipped with an original articulation of the telescopic boom, which can self-level transversally, thanks to a hydraulic cylinder that acts on the front axle. (Merlo SpA; www.merlo.com)

100% Biodiesel Powered Engines for Agricultural Tractors

The innovative engines feature a special fuel injection system which allows the use of pure biodiesel fuel (complying with specific European standards), normal diesel fuels or a mixture of the two fuels. The system makes it possible to keep emissions in compliance with most recent regulations. (SAME Deutz-Fahr Italia SpA; www.samedeutz-fahr.com)

Self-Propelled Aerator with Vertical Augers for Compost

The four vertical augers of this selfpropelled aerator have a working width of 2.4 meters, making is suitable for mixing great parallel piped heaps of compost in stacks up to 3 meters high. The material lifted by the augers is placed on a central inclined conveyor belt that transfers the material to the rear of the machine. The product can be dropped centrally or discharged to the right or left by a second belt. (SEKO SpA; www.sekospa.com)

Pedestrial Controlled Electric Feed Dispenser

Because it is small in scale, the self-propelled electric machine can be controlled by a single walking person. The hopper of the machine can be regulated for direction of unloading, for transporting and distributing cereal grain and dry feed inside livestock buildings. (Zallys Sas di Valerio Letizia & C.; www.zallys.com)