Role of Electric Linear Actuators in Agricultural Automation

Agricultural actuators play a vital role in mechanization of agricultural processes. Actuators offer motions like push, pull, injection, trigger, etc to the agricultural equipment. Electrical actuators being precise devices offer efficient working. Therefore, from automated tractors to farm maintenance, the agricultural actuators are being utilized. Let us discuss the applications of electrical linear actuators in specific automated agricultural equipment.

• Harvesters: Harvesting involves reaping and collecting full-grown crops. Earlier this was accomplished using various types of devices such as mowers, balers, choppers, windrowers, and crushers. Nowadays, combined harvesters are used, which comprise reaping parts and balers. These machines also help control weeds. These machines are equipped with electrical linear actuators that drive harvesting blades to operate in a loop motion. This is how the harvesting application becomes quick and effective. The linear actuator offers smooth and continuous functioning to the harvester. Grain tank operation, concave adjustment, etc are the activities in harvester which are actuated by using agricultural linear actuators.
• Mechanized Planting and Harvesting: Planting and harvesting were earlier considered as two labor-intensive tasks. However, today these tasks are automated and accomplished through various devices. The best thing is many of these devices require no human intervention. The following are a few examples of these devices.
• Tractors: Automated tractors are one of the most popular automation in agriculture. Linear actuators have a massive part in the function of these automated tractors. The command and control features of automated tractors are actuated by using electrical actuators. The activities like, actuating the tractor motion, steering mechanism, tractor ventilation, etc are the activities that are automated using linear actuators.
• Automated Farm Maintenance: The activities like fertilization, grass picking, irrigation, pesticide spraying, etc are nowadays performed using agricultural robots. The following are a few examples of automated farm maintenance equipment equipped with electric linear actuators.
• Irrigation: Agricultural irrigation is a precision-centered operation. The agricultural linear actuators are used in irrigation systems to trigger water supply in metered quantity. Irrigation techniques like sprinkle irrigation, drip irrigation, centralized pivot irrigation, etc are the techniques that can be accomplished with the help of actuators. Actuator systems are automated by coding for precise quantity, duration, and sensor-based on-off controls.
• Automated Farm Monitoring: Precision agriculture has emerged as a key requirement in recent years. This is accomplished using specially designed agriculture drones. Over the years, drone technology has evolved, which when combined with image analysis provides important insights to farmers. The drones are mainly used for surveillance activities and they enable farmers to seek information on crops, soil assessment, irrigation and drainage, harvest planning, and so on. Being sensitive to technology, surveillance drones require accurate control. This is achieved by using electrical actuators. Action triggers, return to destination commands, drone tool attachment/detachment, etc are performed by using automated linear actuators.

Learn more on this topic in our related blog: How Actuators are Playing Vital Role in Agriculture?

However, these mentioned benefits of automation in agriculture can only be reaped if quality products are used in automation. Since agricultural mechanization is highly dependent on motion control devices like linear actuator agriculture, it is important to use quality products from trusted suppliers. Venture Mfg. Co. is an ISO 9001:2015 certified supplier of agricultural linear actuators, which have been successfully used to automate various farming equipment. These actuators are provided in custom specifications to meet application requirements.

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How Electric Linear Actuators Support the Agricultural Industry

Farmers have a work schedule that begins before sunrise and ends around sunset. Numerous activities need to be completed within this timeframe. Therefore, the equipment need to work precisely to a timed schedule for the daily work to be completed. Also, farming equipment is utilized in extreme weather, which can lead to problems like corrosion, and dirt and dust accumulation. Hence, linear actuators for agricultural industry needs to be designed for efficiency and durability.

The benefits of electric linear actuators can help you understand why they are the best choice against hydraulic actuators. 

• Flexibility: They can be designed in a variety of sizes and power ranges. The design can be done to create seamless interactions with control systems.
• Accuracy: Many large sized equipment require forces up to 10,000 N. An electric actuator can provide the exact amount of power for an application. Feedback provided in terms of positioning is extremely accurate.
• Risk and Maintenance-free: Electric linear actuators provide many years of service without requiring maintenance. They eliminate the risks related to leaking of hydraulic actuators. Also, linear actuators consume less power compared to hydraulic actuators.

Linear Actuators in Agricultural Applications

Given below are small as well as large applications, which make use of electric linear actuators.

• Fertilizer Spreader: Agricultural actuators can be used to regulate the amount of fertilizer that is dispensed onto field crops. They accomplish this by way of a controlled system, allowing the farmer to calibrate the automatic spreader according to the field layout and fertilizer requirement. Potentiometers communicate with the control system so that the spreader can dispense only the right amount of fertilizer on crops.

• Combine Harvesters: Electric linear actuators can provide many solutions for combine harvesters. The actuator control systems can be used to adjust the position of the cutter bar, and the speed of the knives on the bar. The covers of grain tanks can be opened and closed easily using linear motion control, allowing for easy grain removal.

• Corn Headers: Corn headers are designed to provide cleaner corn loads. They consist of large teeth that tear the corn from the stalks. Linear actuators can be used to maintain the exact distance or space where the corn cobs will be cut from the cane or stalk.

• Miscellaneous Applications: Other smaller sized application where linear actuators are used include:
  • Opening and closing of barn or stable doors
  • Activation of ventilation systems of storage sheds
  • Timely opening of feed gates for animals

Learn more on this topic in our related blog: How Actuators Adapt To the Changing Requirements of the Food Industry

Electric linear actuators can be adapted to provide solutions for a variety of farming applications. Whether its complete motion control or precise adjustments in movement, linear actuators prove to be indispensable products for the agricultural industry.

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