Optimal Fertilization Thanks to Intuitive Operation

Modern agricultural vehicles are highly technical machines. Sensors, actuators and the like have long been comprehensively networked - this applies to the giant combine harvester as well as to slurry tankers, which have to comply with ever stricter legislation through very high precision. The latter are the core product of Lower Saxony-based Landmaschinen Wienhoff GmbH. The company uses control units from Graf-Syteco for easy control of its innovative slurry tankers.

They are a familiar sight on German fields: tractors with large slurry tankers hanging behind their cabs, which are used to bring fertilizer to the field. Depending on the size of the cultivated field, a single small tanker trailer may not be sufficient; instead, agricultural companies use large slurry tankers. Landmaschinen Wienhoff GmbH specializes in the manufacture of ultra-modern slurry tankers, which mainly carry out their work automatically. "In recent years, of course, automation has also become increasingly important for slurry tankers," says Kevin Sycha, who is responsible for control technology at Wienhoff. Modern technology relieves farmers of a lot of tedious work. During the suction processes for the tank, valves must be set correctly in order to fill and empty the tank. In addition, hinged parts must be in the right place, the right working width must be found and the right output must be configured. "We actually automate everything that the driver would otherwise have to do by hand," explains Sycha. Landmaschinen Wienhoff has specialized in the manufacture of customized agricultural technology for over 90 years. Originally founded in 1932 as a forging business by Franz Wienhoff, the first slurry tanker was developed in 1972. Since then, the company has continued to grow. In addition to the company's headquarters in Bawinkel in Emsland, Wienhoff also operates another site, so that around 200 slurry tankers are manufactured and delivered throughout Europe every year on a factory area of over 30,000 square meters. 110 employees ensure that the best possible product always ends up on the field. The control system plays a large part in the quality: Wienhoff installs control technology and displays from Graf-Syteco in its slurry tankers.

Precision farming thanks to networking

The large slurry tankers from Wienhoff are mainly used on large agricultural areas. "This is the premier class," explains Kevin Sycha. It is therefore not surprising that a separate infrastructure is often maintained for liquid manure spreading and the nutrients are delivered to the field by truck. There are analysis devices on board that can be used to determine the composition of the liquid manure, and maps are used to indicate the quantity to be spread. The slurry tanker controls the application automatically - the systems thus support precision farming. The term describes the precise application of fertilizer to increase efficiency. This prevents over-fertilization and protects the environment. All of this requires a robust control system, which Wienhoff has found in the control units from Graf-Syteco. The collaboration between the two companies goes back many years. When automation became increasingly important in the development of slurry tankers, the company initially outsourced all aspects of the control system. However, this was not sustainable in the long term: "In agriculture, we have to be available 24 hours a day and no machine can be allowed to stand still during the season. When the programming of the control system was outsourced, we had no access to the software," recalls Jörg Hagel, Head of the Control Technology Department at Wienhoff. To solve this problem, Wienhoff decided to take over the programming itself instead of outsourcing it and opted for Graf-Syteco hardware. Various devices from the Tuningen-based manufacturer have been used over the many years of collaboration. Currently, the displays of the D3510 series and the GSt-A family are installed. Depending on the application, the company will use the 4.3", 7" or 10.1" devices from the GSt-A series in future. One computer per slurry tanker controls the automated process, which takes over all control tasks.

 

Communication via fieldbus

The displays are installed in the driver's cab, from where they can be easily operated. Communication with the systems in the slurry tanker takes place via CAN and ISOBUS. The fieldbuses are the central interface between the display and the machine. The control system addresses the necessary sensors and actuators via the communication protocols. Originally CAN bus-capable, direct ISBOBUS capability was also implemented in the operating devices during the collaboration. All Graf-Syteco devices use a 5-pin connector for the Ethernet and CAN connection as standard; an optional 26-pin connector is supplied, which offers an I/O connection and up to three CAN interfaces. A data volume of up to one gigabit per second can be transmitted via Ethernet. A CAN FD interface ensures the transfer of large amounts of data. Graf-Syteco relies on the J1939 network protocol as standard, which is used to transmit control information in commercial vehicles and mobile machinery. Thanks to intelligent communication and special sensor technology, the driver no longer has to concentrate on controlling the slurry tanker. "He has more time to take care of his slurry chain," explains Kevin Sycha. In other words, farmers have a clear head and can better plan the logistics of the liquid manure to the field.

Graf-Syteco displays offer an even greater variety of interfaces. Keyboards and mice can be connected via USB, and applications can also be imported and configured. This is where the in-house GSe-VISU software comes into play, allowing users to create visualizations directly via a graphical user interface without any programming knowledge. "It works really well," Sycha sums up.

Good readability in sunny working conditions

Especially out in the field, it must be ensured that the display is always easy to read. After all, slurry tankers are often on the road both during the day and in the evening sun, so light falls on the control unit from different angles. "It is essential that the display is easy to read," says Jörg Hagel. The displays of the GSt-A devices have a wide range of adjustable display brightness, which ensures great flexibility in the driver's cab. The user-friendliness of the devices is not only an important concern for Wienhoff, the solution is also well received by customers. "Graf-Syteco really impressed us with the readability of the displays," says Kevin Sycha.
With its agricultural machinery, Wienhoff significantly increases efficiency in the agricultural production process. Not only are the drivers relieved, but nature and the environment also benefit from the precise application of the fertilizer. Thanks to the Graf-Syteco control system, operators in the cab always have an overview of all relevant parameters and can fully rely on the work of their slurry tanker. This allows farmers throughout Europe to concentrate on the work that really counts: Delivering the best possible product quality to the end user's home.

Precision Farming Through Connectivity

Wienhoff’s large slurry tankers are primarily used on large agricultural properties. “This is the top tier,” explains Kevin Sycha. It’s therefore not surprising that a dedicated infrastructure is often maintained specifically for slurry application, and that the nutrients are delivered to the fields by truck. On board are analytical devices that can determine the composition of the manure, and maps display the amount to be applied. The manure spreader controls the application automatically—in this way, the systems support what is known as precision farming. The term describes targeted fertilization to increase efficiency. This prevents over-fertilization and protects the environment. All of this requires a robust control system, which Wienhoff has found in Graf-Syteco’s control units. The collaboration between the two companies dates back many years. As automation became increasingly important in the development of slurry tankers, the company initially outsourced all aspects related to the control system. However, this situation was not sustainable in the long run: “In agriculture, we have to be available 24 hours a day; during the season, no machine can be left idle. When the control system programming was outsourced, we had no access to the software,” recalls Jörg Hagel, head of the control technology department at Wienhoff. To solve this problem, Wienhoff decided to take over the programming in-house instead of outsourcing it and, as part of this effort, chose hardware from Graf-Syteco. Over the course of their long-standing collaboration, various devices from the Tuningen-based manufacturer have been used. Currently, the D3510 series displays and those from the GSt-A family are primarily installed. Depending on the application, the company will use the 4.3-inch, 7-inch, or 10.1-inch devices from the GSt-A series in the future. One computer per slurry tanker controls the automated process, which handles all control tasks.

Communication via Fieldbus

The displays are installed in the driver's cab, where they can be easily operated. Communication with the systems in the slurry tanker takes place via CAN and ISOBUS. The fieldbuses serve as the central interface between the display and the machine. The control system communicates with the necessary sensors and actuators via these communication protocols. Originally CAN-bus-compatible, direct ISOBUS capability was also implemented in the control units as part of the collaboration. All Graf-Syteco devices use a 5-pin connector as standard for Ethernet and CAN connections; a 26-pin connector is available as an option, offering an I/O connection and up to three CAN interfaces. Ethernet enables data transfer rates of up to one gigabit per second. A CAN-FD interface ensures the transfer of large amounts of data. Graf-Syteco relies on the J1939 network protocol as standard, which is used to transmit control information in commercial vehicles and mobile machinery. Thanks to intelligent communication and specialized sensors, the driver no longer has to focus on controlling the slurry tanker. “He has more time to take care of his slurry operation,” explains Kevin Sycha. In other words, farmers have their minds free and can better plan the logistics of getting the slurry to the field.

Graf-Syteco displays offer an even wider variety of interfaces. Keyboards and mice can be connected via USB, and applications can be installed and configured as well. This is where the company’s proprietary software, GSe-VISU, comes into play, allowing users to create visualizations directly through a graphical user interface without any programming knowledge. “It works great,” Sycha sums up.

Good readability during sunny workdays

Especially out in the field, it’s crucial to ensure that the display is always easy to read. After all, slurry tankers are often on the move both during the day and in the evening sun, so light hits the control unit from various angles. “It’s essential that the display is easy to read,” says Jörg Hagel. The displays on the GSt-A units offer a wide range of adjustable brightness settings, which provides great flexibility in the cab. User-friendliness is a top priority not only for Wienhoff but also for its customers, who have responded positively to the solution. “Graf-Syteco really impressed us with the readability of the displays,” says Kevin Sycha.
With its agricultural machinery, Wienhoff significantly increases efficiency in the agricultural production process. This not only reduces the workload on drivers, but also benefits nature and the environment through the precise application of fertilizer. Thanks to the Graf-Syteco control system, operators in the cab always have a clear overview of all relevant parameters and can fully rely on the performance of their slurry tanker. This allows farmers across Europe to focus on the work that really matters: delivering the best possible product quality right to consumers’ doorsteps.