Eima International Technical Innovation shines for the third consecutive time on Argo Tractors and the Landini REX4 in particular, which after “Advanced Driving System” in 2018 and “Electra – Evolving Hybrid in 2020”, now receives the award for the “Full Hybrid” project.
The project is a further step in the electrification process for specialized tractors in which the Argo Group has been engaged for some years. The REX4 Full Hybrid tractor will be in the spotlight at Eima International 2022 show from the 9th to the 13th of November in Bologna, Italy.
“Three awards obtained in succession by the Landini REX4, confirm the technological development of our products”, emphasizes Giovanni Esposito, Innovation Director at Argo Tractors. “It is the result of a growth path in which the Argo Tractors group is investing”
“Today, thanks to the Full Hybrid project, the electrification program for our specialised tractors, which also involves acquiring new skills and creating specific processes within the company, takes a decisive step forward. With the applied management strategy, developed by Argo Tractors, a significant reduction in fuel consumption and an autonomy of up to 2 hours in full electric mode has been achieved, thereby effectively responding to the demands of the market and modern agriculture and our commitment to sustainability.”
The design of the new REX4 Full Hybrid tractor involved developing a series of innovative technologies aimed at optimizing mechanical systems, recovering energy and managing power flows in the various electrical devices. This is a landmark for the future development of these machines, with increasingly sophisticated functions for the user and the environment.
The Full Hybrid project, capable of delivering a total power output of 80kW, features a 55 kW diesel engine combined with an electric permanent magnet Booster motor with a power output of up to 50 kW. Full Hybrid operation delivers 55 kW from the internal combustion engine combined with 25 kW of electrical power, while a nominal power of 50 kW can be reached (with a peak of 65kW) in Full Electric mode.
The tractor is equipped with a large capacity battery, both as an energy storage for hybrid operation and to ensure the autonomy needed in full electric mode. When under low mechanical load, the internal combustion engine recharges the battery according to a proprietary algorithm that constantly assesses the energy inputs and implements the most appropriate strategy in that moment.
The entire system is managed by a PMS (Power Management System), which monitors the electrical devices and power flows and identify the optimum operating point of the two propulsion systems. The efficiency of the system is boosted even further by using the electric motor as a recharging generator during deceleration and braking to recover energy from the tractor.
Even since it is still a prototype version, the REX4 Full Hybrid project represents a fundamental step in the development of electrification technology in mechanization in agriculture.
