Agricultural machines

Robust through every season

Robust clutch technology for agricultural machinery – reliable shifting even under the toughest conditions

Agricultural machinery – extreme loads meet precision requirements

Agricultural machinery does not operate in a laboratory, but outdoors: in fields, meadows, among crops and in changing weather conditions. Tractors, mowers, seed drills, harvesters and other agricultural machinery must function reliably when dust, mud, moisture, vibrations and extreme temperature fluctuations are part of everyday life.

At the same time, demands for precision and efficiency are rising. Machinery must precisely control work operations, switch between attachments in a controlled manner and utilise their power as economically as possible.

A drive system must therefore be robust enough for harsh conditions and precise enough for modern, increasingly automated Farming 4.0 work processes.

Clutches and brakes do more than simply switch things on and off. They engage auxiliary drives, transmit high torques, cope with peak loads and protect the mechanical components when operating conditions turn out to be harsher than planned. And that does happen from time to time in agriculture – usually without any prior warning.

When performance must be maintained even in dirty conditions

Mönninghoff couplings can be used in various areas of agricultural technology, for example

in tractors and agricultural towing vehicles
in mowers and conditioners
in seed drills and planters
in harvesters and forage harvesters
in conveyor and metering units
in drives for auxiliary units and attachments
in agricultural mixing and distribution machines
in machines with electrically or mechanically controlled functions
The tasks involved vary greatly. A mower must cope with high speeds and changing cutting conditions. A seed drill must dispense seed precisely. A harvester must cope with varying material volumes and potential blockages.

What these applications have in common is that the technology must operate reliably, even though the environment shows little consideration for sensitive components.

What all these applications have in common is that reliability, safety and robustness go hand in hand. Drive technology must not become a source of uncertainty.

Requirements for clutches and brakes

Agricultural machinery places particular demands on its drive components

High durability: Dirt, dust, moisture, mud and crop residues are all part of the normal operating environment.
Reliable engagement under load Implements and auxiliary units must be able to be engaged and disengaged safely, even with varying speeds and loads.
High torque capacity Cutting, conveying, chopping and working functions generate considerable forces.
Protection against load peaks Blockages, material build-up and changing harvest conditions can generate high torques for short periods.
Low maintenance requirements Machinery must remain available during the tight harvest and sowing windows.
Long service life Components must reliably withstand many operating hours, switching cycles and seasonal cycles.
Vibration resistance Rough operating conditions and moving attachments transmit vibrations to the drivetrain.
Temperature resistance Cold, heat and extreme temperature fluctuations must not adversely affect performance.
Compact design The available installation space in vehicles and attachments is often limited.
Energy efficiency Modern machines should utilise power efficiently and operate auxiliary consumers as efficiently as possible.
Easy integration The coupling must be compatible with the shaft, gearbox, control system and existing vehicle architecture.

The right coupling must therefore do more than just transmit power. It must understand the language of the machine – and that can sometimes sound a little rougher out in the field than it does in the production hall.

Engage, protect, carry on working

Mönninghoff develops engageable clutches for agricultural machinery that are tailored to torque, speed differential, the specific task, environmental conditions and the available installation space.

Electromagnetic multi-disc clutches

Electromagnetic multi-disc clutches are suitable for applications where high torques in a compact design are combined with frequent engagement and disengagement cycles. They may also be of interest where there is a speed difference between the input and output shafts upon engagement.

Possible applications include

the engagement and disengagement of mowers and conditioners
drives for conveyor and metering units
auxiliary drives in tractors and mobile machinery
the engagement and disengagement of attachments
operations involving varying speeds and loads

The clutch must not only cope with normal operation; it should also be able to handle start-up procedures, load peaks and frequent engagement and disengagement reliably.

Pole face friction clutches

Pole face friction clutches enable slip-controlled torque transmission. They can be useful for drives where load peaks need to be smoothly absorbed or movements need to be initiated in a controlled manner.

Typical applications include

the smooth start-up of working units
the operation of conveyor and metering mechanisms
applications with varying material flow
the controlled engagement of auxiliary drives
work processes where a sudden torque surge needs to be avoided

A controlled transition can relieve the mechanical system, particularly under changing harvesting conditions. When the ground, the crop and the machine all play a part, a degree of technical composure is certainly helpful.

Electromagnetic toothed clutches

Electromagnetic toothed clutches enable positive-lock, precise engagement and disengagement. They are particularly suitable where a clear engagement status, low residual torques and minimal rotational play are required.

Possible areas of application include

defined connection and disconnection processes for attachments
the engagement and disengagement of working and auxiliary drives
Applications requiring precise positioning
synchronised movements in sowing and planting technology
functions where positive engagement is important

Thanks to the defined connection, the clutch can support precise power transmission. This is particularly relevant for metering and positioning tasks, where it is not only the force but also the correct timing that matters.

Electromagnetic tooth brakes
Electromagnetic tooth brakes can hold loads securely and precisely in a defined position. The tooth-retention principle ensures a backlash-free holding function and can provide a compact solution for safety-critical movements.

Possible applications include

holding swivel and positioning axes
securing lifting and locking mechanisms
positioning sensors or monitoring devices
holding positions during standstill and maintenance
securing assemblies in the event of a power failure
emergency stop and safety functions
supporting redundant holding concepts

During design, the holding torque, switching time, positioning accuracy, load direction and safety concept must all be considered together. It is crucial that the brake is suited to the actual motion task and the system architecture.

Overload and protection functions

In mobile and safety-critical systems, blockages, impacts or unexpected load peaks may occur. Depending on the application, overload and protection functions can help to limit the flow of force or protect drive components from consequential damage.

Possible functions include

limiting excessive torques
protecting gearboxes, shafts and bearings
relieving the drive in the event of a jam
the controlled disengagement of the power transmission
the reduction of consequential damage in the event of malfunctions
supporting a defined response in the event of a fault

The specific protection function must be assessed in conjunction with the risk assessment and the overall system design. A protective component can only provide reliable support if its tripping behaviour, reset and restart procedures are clearly defined.

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Agricultural machinery that can rely on its drivetrain

Whether it’s a tractor, mower, seed drill, planting equipment or harvester: Mönninghoff develops clutches, overload protection systems and braking technologies for agricultural applications that operate robustly, precisely and efficiently.

Are you developing a new agricultural machine, looking to make an attachment more reliable, or seeking protection against load peaks and blockages? Talk to our experts about torque, speed differential, environmental influences, installation space and desired service life. Together, we’ll get your agricultural machinery ready for its next job – and for many more to come.

Designed for real-world agricultural environments

A clutch for agricultural machinery must not only perform well on the test bench; it must also be able to cope with the environment in which it is actually used.

The following factors, amongst others, can be taken into account during the design process

Dust, mud, moisture and crop residues
Vibrations and shocks
Temperature fluctuations and high ambient temperatures
Rated and peak torque
Speed and speed differential during shifting
Load changes and potential blockages
Shifting frequency and daily operating time
Shaft and gearbox geometry
Available sizes and mounting positions
Protection against corrosion and environmental influences
Requirements regarding maintenance intervals and service life
Integration into electrical or electronic control systems

A robust solution is not achieved solely through larger dimensions. The decisive factor is the interplay between the operating principle, materials, geometry, sealing and integration into the machine.

Retrofitting or new development

Mönninghoff provides support for new developments as well as for the optimisation or retrofitting of existing machines. In doing so, couplings and braking systems can be adapted to existing shafts, gearboxes, control systems and installation spaces.

For a bespoke solution, the focus may be on the following objectives, amongst others:

smoother and more precise shifting
protection against overload and jamming

Reduction in downtime
Improved service life and maintenance intervals
Lower energy consumption
More compact integration into the vehicle or attachment
Adaptation to new operational functions or electrification

Targeted adaptation can make a significant difference, particularly in mobile machinery. Not every improvement requires a completely new machine – sometimes all it needs is the right connection.

The solution only becomes apparent under load

Prototypes and functional models make it possible to test the clutch under realistic conditions even before series production integration. This is particularly valuable when load profiles vary significantly or environmental conditions have a significant influence on performance.

Possible test criteria include

Shifting behaviour at different speeds
Load capacity at rated and peak torques
Behaviour during load changes and speed differentials
Triggering and resetting of the overload protection
Function in the event of blockages and material jams
Resistance to vibration and temperature fluctuations
Protection against dust, moisture and other environmental influences
Endurance testing and wear assessment over many operating cycles
Integration into mechanical systems, sensor technology and control systems
Behaviour during maintenance, standstill and restart

In this way, a functional design is transformed into a robust production-ready solution that can be validated for the actual working environment.