XXXIII EIMA--Bene. Molto bene: Bologna show offers much to be seen, and learned.

November 16-19, 2002 marked the dates for the 33rd EIMA show in Bologna, Italy, and according to Apronario Tassinari, president of UNACOMA (the national agricultural machinery manufacturers association, and sponsor of the show) this edition of EIMA was a sell out for exhibitors.

A total of 1,755 manufacturers, including 427 from 47 countries outside Italy displayed their products throughout an exhibit area of 170,000 sq. meters (more than 1,800,000 sq. ft.). Obviously, a trip to EIMA is not for those without proper footware.

The exhibits are segregated into 14 sections (endothermic and electric engines; land reclamation and forestry; tractors, walking tractors, motor hoes, motor mowers and multipurpose farm vehicles; plant and crop protection; irrigation; harvesting, threshing, selection and conditioning; livestock husbandry; product processing and dairy; crop transportation; components and accessories; gardening; small engine and manually operated equipment, and miscellaneous) spread out through 19 different exhibition buildings.

And the show is getting larger. An additional 20,000 sq. meters (approximately 215,000 sq. ft.) of exhibit space is being developed at the Bologna Fiere facility, and is due to open in time for the 2004 event. (The project has been delayed due to the discovery of Etruscan and Roman archeological finds at the site.)

This year the show attracted nearly 115,000 visitors from around the world (over 8,000 foreign visitors from 102 countries), including official missions from 23 nations, to view the 22,000 individual pieces of machinery on display.

There is a great deal at EIMA that does not directly apply to I&T readers, however the amount of display that is pertinent is tremendous. While we cannot provide full "blow-by-blow" coverage of such a mammoth event, the following are some of the highlights, including the winners of Technical Innovation Awards of interest to the industry.

Agnex--introduced a new small pendulum-type spreader at the show.

Celli--has introduced an alternate method for soil sterilization via pure steam or via methyl bromide. The innovation uses a combination of steam and chemicals that produces an exothermic reaction, but with lower heat that retains soil fertility. The unit is towed by a new crawler that offers a laser-guided remote control option, and the ability to utilize other implements. They also introduced a new 30 hp rotary tiller, new to the North American market.

Enoagricola Rossi--showed their line of hay rakes. The company OEMs for AGCO, Buhler, Durabilt and others.

JCB--showed its new 3190 and 3220 Fastrac tractors at EIMA, prior to the official launch at Royal Smithfield. These tractors feature fully suspended four-wheel ABS braking, Cummins QSB 193 and 220 hp 6 cylinder engines and transport speeds of 65 or 80 kph (40 or 50 mph).

M.R.--has developed a device to engage and disengage the PTO shaft without operator involvement. It is in current testing with New Holland. (See Technical Innovations.)

Maschio--told reporters of starting production for their new OEM agreement with John Deere, manufacturing rotary tillers for Deere's new Frontier line of implements.

Nobili--showed their leading line of mulchers and sprayers. The company is a market leader for mulchers in Europe and is looking for a U.S. distributor/importer.

New Holland--was able to boast about the Golden Tractor of the Year prize awarded to the TM190.

Polmac--provided attendees a look at the flowmeters and controls they provide to companies like Dickey John, Mid-Tech/Tee Jet and more.

Same--showed off their new Galileo computerized self-leveling cab suspension system with a physical demonstration that attracted a lot of attention.

Seko--demonstrated their Eco-line heavy-duty composting equipment. The larger model is powerful enough to mulch whole pallets. The company is searching for a U.S. distributor/importer.

Sitrex--is introducing a new twin double rotary rake and announced intentions to expand more into the gardening and turf sectors in the U.S. The twin double rotary rake is a pull-type, with 11 arms per rotor. This will offer a center windrow, with a maximum width of 6-1/2 feet, from a working width of 25-feet.

Sovema--is introducing a new hay line in North America and now offers a cab for crawler tractors in the vegetable market.

Tonutti--introduced a new digital electronic management device for their windrowers. In addition, they showed a hay rake that allows operators to adjust the width from the cab, via mechanical or electrohydraulic means.

Valtra--showed off their Golden Tractor prize for Design, awarded at the show to their S260 model.

Zappettificio Muzzi--is another successful Italian manufacturer looking for a U.S distributor/importer. They provide blades, flails and more to a worldwide market.

EIMA is a show that has grown in size and importance over the years. This most recent iteration did not disappoint and with further expansion in the works, it can only become an even more important, "must-see" event.

The 2002 EIMA Awards for Technical Innovations included the following companies/products:

A.D.R.--self-steering axle for trailed agricultural machinery featuring a forward and inclined joint to increase steering response and tailor steering to the size of the wheels.

Corner Industries--yoke for easy-coupling of PTO drive shaft "ECS-easy connecting system." Drive shaft is fitted with a collar that is free to rotate around the stub of the yoke and connected via a float-type coupling.

FALC--"Free-Land" soil tillage machine (horizontal axis rotor with curved tines) with a working depth up to 35 cm. is especially suitable for wet ground, because it does not smooth or compact the soil. Designed to prevent blockages even when used on clay soil with heavy residue.

Ferrari Costruzioni Meccaniche--self-propelled steam plate sterilizer that can operate automatically in greenhouses. Sterilizes soil from 7 to 20 cm for 78 meters per cycle.

Gosam di Torreggiani Marco--power transmission shaft with sliding axial ball increases the efficiency of drive shaft and improves transmission yield while reducing axial loads on the cross journals of the joints.

Kuhn Saverne--universal suspension "optidrive" for three-point linkage mounted equipment absorbs the bounce of equipment mounted on tractors, especially during transport, to improve driving stability and driver comfort.

M.R.--automatic coupling device for PTO drive shaft that features a carriage which automatically couples and uncouples the transmission shaft and the PTO once the stub of the drive shaft is positioned into the housing.