Lubrication-free plastic bearings in harvester mowers for over 20 years

When a mower of the brand Fella, Fendt or Massey Ferguson changes from transport position to working position and swings out the mower bar, iglidur plastic plain bearings play an important role. They guide the pivot axis and hold the sickle bar in position throughout its entire service life - under adverse conditions. In this application, the plastic bearings from igus have proven their ability for 20 years.
 
The market for which AGCO Feucht GmbH in Feucht near Nuremberg produces forage harvesting machines can be described quickly and concisely. Jochen Gnann, Director Supply Chain at AGCO Feucht: "We are present wherever grass grows. " Because where grass grows, farmers keep dairy cattle and use the 'green fodder harvest' as food for their cattle. In doing so, the correct ratio of concentrate and green fodder (as hay or fermented as silage) must always be guaranteed.
 
The machines from Feucht perform the three steps of green fodder harvesting: mowing, turning and raking. For all three tasks, AGCO Feucht GmbH manufactures a very extensive range of machines, from compact mowers for alpine locations (with a working width of 2.05 m) up to large area machines with working widths of up to 9.30 m (mowing), 15 m (turning) and 14 m (raking). There is a clear trend towards larger machines. Jochen Gnann: "There are fewer and fewer farms, but at the same time they keep more livestock. Therefore, the working widths of the machines tend to be larger. " This trend is favoured by the fact that more and more agricultural contractors are operating in many countries.

The components of mowers are exposed to extreme stress.

Problem

The brass bearings used by AGCO Feucht GmbH attracted dust and dirt to the bearing points due to the required lubrication.  There was also an economic aspect, since the bearings had to be lubricated regularly.  If the maintenance intervals for lubrication were not adhered to by the customer, the bearing point would become defective relatively quickly and the machine would fail.  

Solution

With maintenance-free and lubrication-free iglidur plain bearings, the effort for maintenance and lubrication of the bearing points could be completely saved.  Lubricant is therefore superfluous.  In addition, the iglidur plastic bearings are more cost-effective than the previously used brass bearings.  Savings were thus also achieved with the purchase of plain bearings.