‘Innovations in agricultural technology’ public choice award: BPW drive axle is gaining traction

Würzburg/Wiehl, 15.01.2019 --- 25 per cent more traction for the trailer on wet and difficult ground conditions and higher loads with smaller towing vehicles: these system benefits provided by the ‘AGRO Drive’ hydraulic drive axle have given BPW a bestseller among farmers and contractors. As a result, the drive axle has now won the most important public choice award in the agricultural industry. BPW is also gaining ground in the construction industry.

Farmers have less and less options when it comes to timing their field work to suit the weather and ground conditions, as the dates for fertiliser and liquid manure spreading are strictly regulated. Contractors also work under time pressure – and in all weathers. This is why the AGRO Drive hydraulic drive axle from BPW is so successful: it gives the trailer 25 per cent more traction, thus enabling fertiliser application on slopes and harvesting on wet ground, for example. It also means that smaller tractors can pull larger loads. Thanks to the reduced slip of the drive wheels, the system produces high torque without churning up the ground beneath. Automatic freewheeling also enables use on roads and at higher speeds. The drive axle includes preparation for a tyre pressure control system (RDS) as standard, which optimises the contact area of the wheels for the particular ground conditions. Rotational direction and rotational speed sensors (DDS) start working from 0 km/h and thus enable accurate calculation and metering of fertilisers or pesticides that are being applied, for example. The installation position and cable routing of all the optional sensors (RDS, DDS, ABS) has been designed to provide maximum protection and easy maintenance. Another typical benefit for BPW is the easy servicing of the brake system. The sophisticated design of the drive axle means that maintenance and brake lining replacements can be performed without removing the hydraulic drive motor: the brake drum is simply taken out.

Having been unveiled in autumn 2017, AGRO Drive became an instant bestseller. BPW has now been selected by the readers of the German specialist media outlets ‘Agrarheute’, ‘Agrartechnik’ and ‘traction’ to receive the public choice award in Würzburg, Germany, for ‘Innovations in agricultural technology’ in the ‘Logistics’ category. Péter Mándli, Managing Director of BPW-Hungária, and Peter Lindner, Agricultural Sales Manager for Germany and Benelux at BPW Bergische Achsen KG in Wiehl, accepted the prize: ‘Going on when others stop is a promise that not only holds true for our drive axle but also for our development departments. This important award proves that we have really hit the mark among farmers and contractors with the AGRO Drive.’

Peter Lindner added: ‘Word is already spreading in the construction industry too about the potential of the AGRO Drive. We are receiving increasing numbers of requests to kit out construction vehicles, such as heavy-duty tippers. The versatility of the system is proving to be an advantage, for instance when it comes to the sensors or suspension. On request, the system can be set up without suspension or can be combined with leaf, air and hydraulic suspension. We are looking forward to presenting further pioneering innovations for vehicle manufacturers and operators at the upcoming BAUMA trade show in Munich.’