Electrifying Agricultural Implements : A study of design implications of electrification

As the world seeks to become less reliant on fossil fuels and use more electric energy instead new possibilities for development of agricultural implements opens. Major tractor manufacturers have recently announced tractors with over tenfold increases in electrical power. This promises to be the next step in lowering the reliance on fossil fuels in a crucial, carbon-intensive, sector. A new type of connector allows for standardizing connections, however, the implements taking advantage of this electrical power are still lagging. This thesis seeks to understand what implications this increase in electrical power has for the development of agricultural implements. This is done through a case study at a major agricultural implement manufacturer, following the development of a prototype electric cultivator tool fitted to a seed drill. The first question answered was which requirements impact electrified agricultural implements, and the second was what possibilities the different proposed electrical systems allow for. The knowledge was then applied to the creation of the final prototype. Throughout the development, it was found that while the electric technology allowed for much greater control, it came at a higher cost and requires more careful design. The trade-off between speed, force, and cost was at the centre of the development process. More development will be needed for motor controls and environmental exposure concerns such as vibrations, mechanical shocks, water ingress, etc. The study helps further understand the implications of electrification on agricultural implements' development. This further understanding will help in the design of a more efficient, user-friendly and less polluting implement of the future.