Sensor solutions for agricultural equipment

Take mobile automation from assisted to autonomous

  • check_circle Delivers superior performance for agricultural vehicles
  • check_circle Reliability for demanding off-highway environments
  • check_circle Sensors for smart and autonomous machines
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Increase productivity, preserve quality

Increasing productivity, saving on energy and input materials (fertilizer, spray chemicals, etc.), and improving the quality of work results demand ever more assistant functions and autonomy in off-highway equipment.

Choosing the most suitable sensor solution is the key to reliably advancing machine functions. We guide you toward the right sensor solution for agricultural application areas such as spray boom control, combine header control, and implement depth. These application areas can be found on many different vehicles, including self-propelled sprayers, trailed sprayers, fertilizer spreaders, combine harvesters, forage harvesters, sugarcane harvesters, rice harvesters, tractors, and tillage and seeding equipment.

Sensor Solutions Guide

Baumer sensors provide the ground and crop distance needed to automate spray boom position, application depth for tillage equipment, and combine header height. Other sensors are used to determine the continuous level of gearboxes, hydraulic tanks, solution tanks, and even grain and seed tanks.

Overview of sensor solutions for applications on agricultural equipment:

Overview of sensor positions on agricultural equipment

LBFS – Point Level Measurement

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R600V – Ground and Crop Radar

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R600V – Ground and Crop Radar

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U750 – Ultrasonic Fill Level Sensor

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CFAK22 – Oil Level Switch

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R600V – Ground and Crop Radar

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CFAK22 – Oil Level Switch

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LBFS – Point Level Measurement

LBFS – Point Level Measurement

Solution tank level

The operator needs to know when the solution tank is about to run empty without leaving the cabin.

The Baumer LBFS point level sensor provides reliable point level detection under demanding conditions such as chemical exposure and residue on the sensor.

R600V – Ground and Crop Radar

R600V – Ground and Crop Radar

Spray boom height control

Automatic control of the distance between the spray nozzles and the crop relieves the operator and increases equipment use and speed.

The Baumer ground and crop radar sensor, with dual ground and crop distance output, is the key to modern boom height control. Baumer radar signal processing delivers superior crop penetration and ground detection.

R600V – Ground and Crop Radar

R600V – Ground and Crop Radar

Header height control

Automatically maintaining a preset header height reduces driver fatigue and increases productivity during the busiest period of the harvest season.

Thanks to its dual ground and crop distance output, it eliminates the height limits of mechanical ground sensors and even enables reel control.

U750 – Ultrasonic Fill Level Sensor

U750 – Ultrasonic Fill Level Sensor

Grain tank level

The continuous fill level during combine operation provides valuable information for coordinating with drivers in the logistics chain.

The Baumer U750 ultrasonic fill level sensor is the preferred technology for rugged, non-contact measurement of granular media. Its design is tested to the highest off-highway standards.

CFAK22 – Oil Level Switch

CFAK22 – Oil Level Switch

Hydraulic oil level

Baumer's oil level switch prevents damage caused by low fluid levels. Baumer brings capacitive frequency-sweep technology to the off-highway industry.

It outperforms established technologies such as float switches, fixed-frequency capacitive sensors, and electro-optical level sensors. It can be used for non-pressurized fluid monitoring in differential housings, gearboxes, and fluid tanks.

R600V – Ground and Crop Radar

R600V – Ground and Crop Radar

Ground distance

Controlling implement depth is important for ensuring the quality of the work process and optimizing fuel consumption.

The Baumer ground and crop radar sensor is the key to modern implement depth control. Radar signal processing delivers superior crop penetration and ground detection.

CFAK22 – Oil Level Switch

CFAK22 – Oil Level Switch

Gearbox oil level

Baumer's oil level switch prevents damage caused by low fluid levels. It brings capacitive frequency-sweep technology to the off-highway industry.

It is factory pre-set for hydraulic fluids and other operating fluids with similar properties, such as gearbox oil and diesel. It can be used for non-pressurized fluid monitoring and leak detection in differential housings, gearboxes, and fluid tanks.

Application Areas
Spray Boom Height Control

Spray boom height control is one of the most important and mature automation features in agriculture. Automatic control of the distance between the spray nozzles and the crop relieves the operator and enables better equipment use and higher speeds. The same functionality is also desirable for fertilizer spreaders. Baumer sensors are used to measure boom-to-ground and crop distance, boom kinematics, and boom angles. Together, these sensor outputs enable precise, fast control of the spray boom.

GIM700DR – Dynamic Inclination Sensor

GIM700DR – Dynamic Inclination Sensor

Boom kinematics

Knowing the exact boom angle or roll enables optimization of boom stabilization and ground distance control. The Baumer dynamic inclination sensor offers high measurement accuracy in dynamic applications, enabling higher productivity through increased speed. It has a CAN output adapted for off-highway use.

UF401V – Ultrasonic Distance Sensor

UF401V – Ultrasonic Distance Sensor

Center rack height

Knowing the center rack height relative to the frame can be important information for overall boom height control. Baumer ultrasonic sensors offer rugged, reliable distance measurement. Alternatively, an R600V sensor can be mounted to measure distance to the ground and crop.

EAM500 – Bearingless Encoder – Absolute

EAM500 – Bearingless Encoder – Absolute

Boom angle

Angle sensors provide feedback on the actual angle between boom segments and between the center rack and the boom. Bearingless angle sensors are more reliable and reduce downtime and warranty cost.

R600V – Ground and Crop Radar

R600V – Ground and Crop Radar

Boom height

Automatic control of the distance between the spray nozzles and the crop relieves the operator and enables better equipment use and higher speeds. The Baumer ground and crop radar sensor, with dual ground and crop distance output, is the key to modern boom height control.

Spray boom height control diagram

GIM700DR – Dynamic Inclination Sensor

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UF401V – Ultrasonic Distance Sensor

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EAM500 – Bearingless Encoder – Absolute

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R600V – Ground and Crop Radar

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Combine Header Height Control

Combine harvesters are highly specialized, automated machines. During harvest season, many machines run almost continuously. Automating the header's orientation relative to the ground relieves the operator and enables better equipment use and higher speeds. Baumer sensors measure the combine header's distance to the ground and crop, the header angle, and reel position. Together, these sensors enable precise, fast height control of the cutting table and reel.

R600V – Ground and Crop Radar

R600V – Ground and Crop Radar

Header height control

Automatically maintaining a preset header height reduces driver fatigue and increases productivity during the busiest period of harvest. Thanks to its dual ground and crop distance output, it eliminates the height limits of mechanical ground sensors and even enables reel control. Non-contact measurement is not prone to mechanical damage and reduces downtime.

UF401V – Ultrasonic Distance Measurement Sensor

UF401V – Ultrasonic Distance Measurement Sensor

Reel extension

Measuring reel extension provides feedback on the position of the reel. Combined with the R600V and angle sensors, this enables effective control of the cutting process. Ultrasonic sensors perform non-contact measurement and reduce warranty claims and downtime.

EAM500 – Bearingless Encoder – Absolute

EAM500 – Bearingless Encoder – Absolute

Header and reel angle

Angle sensors provide feedback on the angle between the vehicle and the header, and between the header and the reel. Precise knowledge of these angles helps orient the cutting table and optimize reel position. Bearingless angle sensors are more reliable and reduce downtime and warranty cost.

Combine header height control diagram

R600V – Ground and Crop Radar

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UF401V – Ultrasonic Distance Measurement Sensor

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EAM500 – Bearingless Encoder – Absolute

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Implement Ground Distance

Many important applications in the off-highway industry involve implements that interact with the ground. These applications range from asphalt and concrete paving, to blade surface grading, to soil preparation in agriculture. Baumer sensors are used for positioning and measure implement angle, distances, and down-force. Implement penetration depth, together with angle and down-force, helps automate the work process and optimize fuel consumption.

R600V – Ground and Crop Distance

R600V – Ground and Crop Distance

Ground distance

Controlling implement depth is critical for ensuring the quality of the work process and optimizing fuel consumption. The Baumer ground and crop radar sensor is the key to modern implement depth control. The R600V.DAH5-11205779 is recommended for flat surfaces (such as asphalt, concrete, or graded soil).

EB360R – Absolute Kit Encoder

EB360R – Absolute Kit Encoder

Implement and equipment angle

For tillage equipment in particular, as well as for road marking and weed control, implement angle is important for precise positioning of the implement. Baumer angle sensors reliably provide this feedback. The compact, magnetic bearingless encoder enables easy integration, low total system cost, and reliable operation under high load conditions.

DST55R – Strain Sensor

DST55R – Strain Sensor

Down-force

Measuring strain with a DST55R on a load-bearing part, or alternatively measuring deflection with an IR18V.D, enables determination of implement down-force. This is an important parameter for controlling implement engagement, saving energy, and preventing damage. Baumer strain sensors enable more precise operation, increased productivity, and reduced downtime.

Implement ground distance diagram

R600V – Ground and Crop Distance

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EB360R – Absolute Kit Encoder

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DST55R – Strain Sensor

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Make a Difference

Make a difference with your agricultural equipment

Rising labor costs and the shortage of qualified operators call for a higher level of automation and operator assistance functions to maintain efficiency, productivity, and quality of work. Agricultural equipment always needs reliable sensor data and long-term reliability for extra uptime.

Discover how you can achieve these goals for agricultural equipment and make a difference with Baumer sensors.

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