Case Study: Advanced Farm Equipment achieves higher productivity and simpler assembly with Eaton all-hydraulic control systems

Eaton components help all-hydraulic harvester deliver bruise-free potatoes

Advanced Farm Equipment (AFE), based in Vestaburg, Michigan, needed to upgrade its airhead-type potato harvester to an all-hydraulic design that would improve performance, simplify manufacturing, and boost productivity. The machine had to handle a highly temperamental harvesting process while minimizing bruising and adapting to constantly changing field conditions. Eaton supplied the key technology, including EFX CAN controllers and tandem DuraForce hydrostatic transmissions.

Eaton and its distributor DTS Fluid Power helped AFE build a more advanced, all-hydraulic harvester with integrated electrohydraulic controls, a touchscreen cab interface, and CANBus communication. The result was a machine that required fewer man-hours to assemble, eliminated about 3,000 to 4,000 feet of wiring per unit, reduced wasted flow and heat, lowered fuel consumption and operating costs, and gave operators greater control and troubleshooting capability from the cab and remotely.

Advanced Farm Equipment

Greg Merrihew

Manager