Gearboxes for local farm irrigation

A comprehensive gear solution for centre pivot irrigation systems encompassing supply, installation and servicing of both the centre drive and wheel drives as well as the drive technology to power the system, is now available to South Africa’s agriculture sector.

As an original-equipment manufacturer (OEM), SEW-EURODRIVE says its footprint across South Africa and wider Africa, enables it to implement its 'closing the loop' strategy within the agricultural sector.

“Our SEW-EURODRIVE gearbox solutions have proven themselves in this application since the 1980s in Brazil, where numerous units are sold every month into their farming sector,” says SEW-EURODRIVE national sales and marketing manager Jonathan McKey. “The similarities of the agricultural environment between our two countries have convinced us that our offering adds plenty of value locally.”

Aligning to the shaft sizes and flange connections on existing centre pivot irrigation equipment, the company provides a ‘plug and play’ solution of gearing, casing and motor.

“Generally, the drive systems on this type of equipment are simply replaced when they no longer perform, and there is little capability in South Africa to repair them,” says SEW-EURODRIVE business development manager: electronics Willem Strydom. “Not only will we assemble our own gearboxes in-country, but we can also repair and refurbish the various components to our stringent OEM standards.”

The company notes that its service teams are experienced in various gearbox systems and applications and can inspect existing installations and advise on optimal solutions on site, whether for commercial farms or smaller privately owned enterprises.

“Large operations can even be supported with formal service level agreements, where the size and efficiency of their operation warrants it,” says Strydom, noting that the company can serve the market’s standardised wheel ratios of 50:1 and 52:1, to accommodate the specifications of the key suppliers of centre pivot irrigation systems.

According to Strydom, the fact that SEW-EURODRIVE has designed and manufactured interchangeable internal gearing, allows for commonality of parts, which facilitates efficient stockholding and quick turnaround times.

“One of the benefits of our gearboxes for the centre pivot market is that we use the same internal gearing as our popular and robust 7-series range,” he explains.

This means that the company already has extensive stockholding and the necessary expertise to assess and refurbish gearboxes using these components. The company also has its own motors, available in either a 0.55 kW, 0.75 kW or a 1.1 kW option, for these irrigation systems.

SEW-EURODRIVE notes that its solutions for centre pivot systems also help address the rising cost of electricity, through the standardised use of energy efficient motors, rated in the IE3 class of international energy standards.