In support of advancing efficiency and productivity in the agricultural sector, SEW-EURODRIVE offers a comprehensive gear solution for centre pivot irrigation systems locally. This encompasses the supply, installation and servicing of both the centre drive and wheel drives for pivot irrigation systems, as well as the drive technology needed to power the systems.
The SEW-EURODRIVE gearbox offering provides a plug and play solution for existing centre pivot irrigation equipment.
“The agricultural industry is a key strategic sector in this country and deserves the services of OEMs – rather than resellers of imported products,” says Jonathan McKey, National Sales and Marketing Manager at SEW-EURODRIVE. “As a global company with a world class reputation, our local footprint across South Africa and Africa ensures the farming community gets the support it needs from us.
“Our SEW-EURODRIVE gearbox solutions have proven themselves in agricultural irrigation applications since the 1980s in Brazil, where numerous units are sold every month into the farming sector,” McKey adds. “The similarities of the agricultural environments between Brazil and South Africa – and further afield on the continent, have convinced us that our offering adds substantial value locally.”
Aligning to the shaft sizes and flange connections on existing centre pivot irrigation equipment, SEW-EURODRIVE’s plug and play solution includes gearing, casing and motor. Willem Strydom, Business Development Manager: Electronics for SEW-EURODRIVE, says the company presents a game-changing concept in sustainability, serviceability and cost-effectiveness, which is what the local agricultural sector needs.
“Generally, the drive systems on this type of equipment are simply replaced when they no longer perform, and there is little capability in South Africa to repair them,” says Strydom. “However, as well as assembling our own gearboxes in-country, we can repair and refurbish the various components to our high OEM standards.”
SEW-EURODRIVE’s service teams visit customers’ sites, whether these are commercial farms or smaller privately owned enterprises. The teams are highly experienced in various gearbox systems and applications, so they can inspect existing installations and advise on optimal solutions.
“For large operations, where the size and efficiency of the operation warrants it, we can also set up formal service level agreements,” he says. The company can meet the market’s standardised wheel ratios of 50:1 and 52:1, to accommodate the specifications of the key suppliers of centre pivot irrigation systems.
McKey highlights the build quality of the company’s gearboxes, which underpins their proven reliability in multiple sectors and applications. He says SEW-EURODRIVE only enters a market once its offerings have been decisively field-proven.
According to Strydom, the depth of the company’s technical capability is demonstrated by the fact that it has designed and manufactured interchangeable internal gearing. This allows for commonality of parts which, in turn, facilitates efficient stockholding and quick turnaround times.
“One of the benefits of our gearboxes for the centre pivot market is that we use the same internal gearing as for our popular and robust 7-series range,” he explains. “The heart of our gearboxes for centre pivot irrigation has therefore proven itself over decades in many arduous applications and industries.”
It also means that SEW-EURODRIVE already has extensive stockholding in its modern facility in Aeroton, southwest of Johannesburg, and all the necessary expertise to assess and refurbish gearboxes using these components. The company also has its own quality motors – available in a 0.55 kW, 0.75 kW or 1.1 kW options – for the irrigation systems.
While the performance demands on the gearboxes and motors on centre pivot irrigation systems might be considered lighter than on some other applications in more demanding sectors, Strydom emphasises that regular inspection and maintenance are always important.
“For instance,” he says, “irrigation equipment may need to be moved from one location to another on the farm. In some cases, this process can damage both the gears and motors – so it is important to check regularly that the performance of the equipment is still optimal.”
Trained service staff from SEW-EURODRIVE can make this process easier and less time consuming for farm managers. An on-site assessment can also confirm whether cost-effective repairs are possible, rather than replacing whole gearboxes. Repairing or replacing just the internal gears will allow the casing to be preserved – reducing wastage and cost.
Another growing concern for farmers is the rising cost of electricity, and SEW-EURODRIVE’s solutions for centre pivot systems also help address this challenge, says Strydom. This is done through the use of energy-efficient motors, rated in the IE3 class in terms of international energy standards.
“Most competitors in this field use standard efficiency IE1 class motors,” he says. “To support our customers in saving on electricity costs, SEW-EURODRIVE standardises on the use of premium efficiency IE3 motors.”
The energy efficiency of motors is becoming important for all sectors in South Africa, in view of government’s plans to introduce the Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) this year.
“As a full-service OEM in the agricultural space we see other opportunities in the sector where we will be ‘closing the loop’ – offering a-wider range of complete solutions for our customers,” says McKey.
For more information visit: www.sew-eurodrive.co.za
