The livestock farming revolution has begun. A concept of all-round sustainability aiming for a circular economy and the reduction of livestock emissions. Thus, the new Leader PF Full Electric is born, a self-propelled 100% electric mixer wagon that completes the Faresin electric range, launched in 2018 with the presentation of the world’s first electric telescopic handler.
Leader PF Full Electric is designed to use the electricity that farms produce in large quantities through photovoltaic systems or cogeneration plants at an extremely low cost. At the same time, the machine produces no polluting emissions, thus reducing the environmental impact of the farm. The use of electrical technology also promotes animal welfare and allows for the certification of the production chain.
In recent years, the issue of reducing emissions has become increasingly important in agriculture, leading to growing interest in electric machines. Electrification, besides being a trend in all sectors, is a technology which by its very nature brings numerous advantages, such as lower consumption, lower costs, reduced noise, and greater sustainability. Faresin intercepted this trend more than 6 years ago, a time when the sustainability of agricultural machinery was still a concept reserved only for a few visionary brands, and now has a well-proven and constantly updated electrification technology.
“Thanks to the virtuous transversality that characterizes our research and development process, we have been able to implement our Made in Faresin Full Electric technology in our mixer wagon line as well,” comments President Sante Faresin. – The result is a machine that offers a working experience fully equivalent to what one would have with an endothermic engine, but without emitting greenhouse gases.”
The first Faresin self-propelled electric mixer wagon to see the light of day is the Leader PF 1.14 Full Electric with 14 cubic meters of mixing tub capacity and a vertical auger. It is the perfect solution for small farms with renewable energy plants for power generation.
Electricity but without compromise
The performance of the new Leader PF Full Electric was the starting point of the project. Faresin engineers have worked hard to guarantee comparable performance to the respective diesel powered models while maintaining sufficient battery life of at least an entire day on a medium-sized farm. This is why the 91 kW, 210 Ah Lithium Iron-Phosphate battery integrated with Farmatics telematics for remote control was installed in the rear engine compartment. This positioning allows for optimal weight distribution, greater operating convenience such as reduced dirt in the compartment and easy access to the components, and several advantages while driving, such as comfort and visibility on the right side.
The battery can be recharged with complete flexibility thanks to the Universal Charge system, a single plug-in interface for 220V single-phase and 400V three-phase power supplies. The machine is also equipped with a system that recovers energy during braking and when releasing the accelerator, storing it in the battery and increasing its autonomy.
The integrated electronic management controls the distribution of power to the various organs, which is dosed as needed so as not to overload the battery and the entire system, significantly reducing consumption.
In addition, the entire system is monitored by diagnostics covering all electrical, electronic, and hydraulic parts, including the control instrumentation in the cab.
Power and traction in all conditions
Traction power is provided by a 51 kW electric motor positioned in the rear axle, which also transmits motion to the front axle via a cardan shaft. The system has two gears that allow for a maximum speed of 20 km/h.
Like the endothermic engine version, the Leader PF Full Electric has four drive and steering wheels featuring three steering modes (concentric, crab-steering, and front-only). It is also equipped with a height-adjustable hydropneumatic suspension via a control in the cab, allowing comfortable and safe driving.
Homogeneous and easy mixing
The distinctive geometry of the mixing tank, combined with the special auger profile, allows for the rapid preparation of homogeneous TMR while respecting the organoleptic properties of the fiber. The 45 kW electric motor guarantees the right power for all types of mixture thanks to the 8 mixing speeds, which allow the machine’s performance to be adapted to the recipe. In addition, a special “Cleaning” function allows the auger to completely discharge the mixture inside the mixing tub, avoiding excessive product stagnation that is dangerous to animal health.
To meet the needs of each farmer, the unloading system can be configured with various types of belts with movement or lifting operated directly through the cabin display.
Accuracy is important for good results and keeping feed costs under control. This is why through the electronic weighing and dosing system positioned in the booth, or through the Farm Manager Web business management program, it is possible to program the recipe and constantly monitor the ingredients loaded. This fundamental function is complemented by the PolispecNIR system which, installed directly on the mixing tank, constantly monitors the unifeed and suggests the ideal moment to unload, once homogeneity has been achieved.
Built-in performance milling cutter
Unlike some electric machines without a cutter available on the market, Faresin decided to equip the new Leader PF Full Electric with a powerful 2000 mm wide milling cutter driven by a 45 kW electric motor, to allow independent loading of the various recipe components. This choice was not so easy to implement as the milling system normally drains a lot of energy. Faresin’s engineers worked in this direction to reduce consumption by optimizing power and avoiding possible overloads.
The special shape of the cutter ensures a fast flow towards the loading channel, respecting the structure and properties of the silage, while the cutter blades remove the material quickly and precisely.
All-round comfort
The PF cab, which has always been the strong point of Faresin self-propelled machines, allows the operator to work in total control, thanks to the large glass surfaces and excellent visibility. On-board controls are ergonomically arranged to intuitively manage all machine functions. The new 10” display allows easy navigation between all controls and displays all machine parameters and data from the integrated NIR analysis system in real-time. The main functions are operated by the electro-proportional joystick and the side keypads, while the automotive-inspired push-button panel allows precise control of all loading and unloading components.
