Deutz-Fahr Land celebrated its opening in 2017 after almost three years of planning and construction in Lauingen, Bavaria. High-performance tractors from 130 hp and various tractor series for the global market are manufactured in series at the plant. A total of 40 tractors from various series leave the assembly line every day. This requires a sophisticated concept and the use of modern technologies in the huge assembly hall.

Carl Stahl was responsible for equipping the entire plant, which in turn sought support from the Kito Group when it came to lifting solutions. Together, more than 60 custom-made load handling attachments were coordinated, which were designed exclusively for the tractor plant. There were repeated test loops to align the Erikkila light crane systems and Kito electric chain hoists with the production process. In the end, many new technical solutions were used that had never been seen before in the agricultural industry.

The Deutz-Fahr-Land tractor factory. Erikkila light crane systems in double-girder design with Kito ER2 electric chain hoists and radio remote control. © Kito

Erikkila: Crane solutions made of aluminum and steel
To maintain efficiency in tractor production, the plant was equipped with a networked infrastructure of Erikkila light crane systems. The workstation cranes from the Prosystem series increase productivity by reducing throughput and waiting times. A total of 15 aluminum light crane systems with internal conductor rails for power supply - for a cable-free, safer and clearer working environment - were installed on the ceiling structure above the pre-assembly area. The power supply to the conductor rails in the profiles is housed in the modular end plate.

45 additional light crane systems are used above the tractor conveyor belt. The crane runway in this area measures more than 400 meters in length. The Erikkila aluminium profiles are made of high-quality anodized aluminium and have a maximum load capacity of 1,000 kilograms. The trolleys have a steel housing and smooth-running, virtually silent rollers. The self-centring trolley minimizes the swinging of the suspended load. The advantage with Erikkila: the system has a particularly good weight/stiffness ratio between light tare weight and long suspension distances. The intelligent marking of the individual aluminum profile sizes makes it easy to identify the components during assembly.

In addition to the aluminum profiles, eight lightweight crane systems made of steel profiles with a load capacity of 1,500 kilograms were installed: Here too, the power supply is provided by a conductor rail in the profile, preventing cable loops from hanging down in the work area. The light crane systems with steel profiles can be used for maximum loads of 2,000 kilograms.

ER2 electric chain hoists transport a driver's cab on a curved track. © Kito

Addition: Kito electric chain hoists
The Erikkila workstation cranes have been extended for tractor production with 50 Kito electric chain hoists of the ER2 and CDER2 models with cylinder control, which can be moved in all directions and positioned precisely during assembly work. During the assembly of the tractors, the hoists remain securely in the selected position and make it easier for the employees to pick up the load or assemble the components with pinpoint accuracy.

According to the manufacturer, the electric chain hoists are characterized by their quality and reliability. Kito nickel-plates its load chains, which guarantees low wear and high strength. The load chain is also better protected against corrosion.

The electric chain hoists are optionally equipped with frequency inverters for gentle lifting or lowering of the suspended loads. This allows components to be positioned precisely, especially during assembly. Safety during operation is ensured, among other things, by the carbon friction clutch, which protects the hoist from overloading.

The technical highlight at the tractor plant is Kito hoists, which use additional vacuum technology to pick up the load when fitting the hoods. Using a specially developed system, the vacuum technology is suspended from the ER2 electric chain hoist and transports the hood into the perfect position on the tractor at a low overall height on a curved track. as