Innovative equipment greets visitors at SIMA 2007.

SIMA 2007--billed as the "World's Biggest International Agriculture Event"--has released advance notice of the agricultural equipment which won awards for machine innovation and technology. The 2007 show, held March 4-8, will host a variety of international exhibitors who come to find distributors or agents for the European and French market, meet their agricultural target markets and discover the export markets' needs.

In addition to manufacturers from France and Europe, companies from Poland Slovenia, Turkey, China, Korea, Russia and Czech Republic are scheduled to exhibit engines, aftermarket parts and components for OEM equipment. Extrapolating from previous attendance numbers, 41% of the near-200,000 visitors in 2007 are active in arable farming and 47% actively engaged in livestock farming.

Internet information about award-winning equipment, exhibitions and attendance at SIMA 2007 is available on the internet at www.simaonline.com.

Medal Winners

Binding System for high-speed baler (CLAAS Quadrant 3400 Euro-bale Baler)--Use of a shorter needle and a tilted knotter radically reduces binding time while retaining knot quality consistency. The eye deposits the twine vertically instead of horizontally, controlling any problems with bale loosening. Savings result from improved tonnage output and swath yield and reduced transportation costs.

Automated tractor for headland management with guidance technology (John Deere "iTEC Pro" System)--The system minimizes driver fatigue and results in quantifiable gains in time and productivity and reduction of workload through organization, accuracy on demand and higher speeds. Guidance saves time on each row and at row ends due to sequence memorization and automated half turn.

Specific optimization of granulated fertilizer application through spatial management (Sulky Burel)--Adjustment on the fly enables this unit to apply a totally steady flow to suit the geometry of the plot. With Ecovision, the fertilizer spreader self-adjusts to the prevalent terrain condition and compensates for any irregularities in consecutive passes, avoiding over-application and under-application on headlands. The system results in both agronomic and financial benefits.

Silver Medal Winners

Beam chassis farm trailer (AMBS La Littorale)--Made of high tensile steel, the trailer's big advantage is that it holds 24% extra load than a traditional farm trailer of the same size.

Testbench to assess fertilizer spreader performance (Cemagref)--This device uses 80 receivers at high frequency to measure the spread quality of fertilizer spreaders in real time (spatial distribution on the ground). A mobile unit is also in development.

Automatic straw spreader head (Dussau Distribution)--Straw, woodchips, sawdust, litter pellets or other material in the trailer can be spread in livestock buildings using a pressurized 120-meter distribution tube. Health risks are reduced for the humans, and stress is minimized for the animals.

Near infrared moisture sensor for forage harvesters (John Deere)--Without being calibrated, the first of its kind N.I.R. (near infrared) sensor for self-propelled forage harvesters gives a continuous reading of moisture content in the forage. Its position on the spout provides a more consistent sample with 98% accuracy. Sized 20x19x23 cm, the N.I.R. sensor can be transferred to a fixed workstation.

High-performance conveyor belt windrower (Kuhn)--The MergeMaxx 900 windrower's three units work edge-to-edge for 9 meters to pick up forage and move it laterally. Working speed, swath widths, compactness and maneuverability of the equipment contribute to significant daily outputs.

"3 in 1" mounted plow (Kverneland)--The plow can be split into two separate units for three different uses, due to the linkage system fitted with a 3-point coupler. In wet or hard conditions, load transfer on the tractor can be eased by using the front part; while fields varying in character might benefit with use of the rear plow.

Solar-powered, frost-proof pasture pump (La Buvette)--The Thermo-Solar submersible pasture pump, powered by batteries recharged by solar panels, draws water from up to 50 meters deep and supplies the Thermolac frost-proof drinking trough. The pump was designed to simplify the livestock care in inclemate weather and to keep natural areas open for grazing hardy breeds.

Hydropneumatic suspension for cab and chassis on a telescopic loader (Merlo SPA)--Operator comfort was improved by the double-action shock absorber, which is adjusted automatically for the operator's weight. To make room for the telescopic boom, the design is based on a system of multiple articulated joints linked to a parallelogram structure.

Semi-mounted articulated arm brush cutter mower (SMA)--The additional axle's purpose is to increase the weight limit of the articulated arm or the weight of heavier crushing or pruning accessories, stabilize the unit when the arms are moving, support equipment to help keep the weight of the carrier within traveling load limits and ensure that all wheels on the carrier are driveable.