Latest Ag Equipment Technical Articles

With precise control abilities to manage speed, torque, and direction, variable frequency drives remain one of the most…

With precise control abilities to manage speed, torque, and direction, variable frequency drives remain one of the most common methods of driving 3-phase industrial motors. Below, we introduce a few leading VFD manufacturers.

Functional safety is the safety of a system and is critical for industries such as medical devices, automotive, railways,…

Functional safety is the safety of a system and is critical for industries such as medical devices, automotive, railways, and machinery. This article will focus on functional safety for machinery and the standards that help its implementation.

Tracking the position of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder is often accomplished at a basic precision level, detecting…

Tracking the position of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder is often accomplished at a basic precision level, detecting only end stop limits with discrete digital values… But what methods accomplish this?

Learn how one small farm in a rural community is upgrading production with advanced technology in several ways to…

Learn how one small farm in a rural community is upgrading production with advanced technology in several ways to overcome staff shortages, product demand, and regulatory compliance.

There are many distributed fieldbus capabilities for valve manifolds that can save on network overhead and wiring. In…

There are many distributed fieldbus capabilities for valve manifolds that can save on network overhead and wiring. In this article, we will look at PLC programming of fieldbus manifolds highlighting Festo's CPX layout.

What if you could control the end position and the speed of a hydraulic actuator accurately with just a simple signal?…

What if you could control the end position and the speed of a hydraulic actuator accurately with just a simple signal? Some systems use simple open/close valves, but others require far more precision.

Our Control Automation engineering staff got the chance to visit a commercial farm in North Dakota and learn the hardware…

Our Control Automation engineering staff got the chance to visit a commercial farm in North Dakota and learn the hardware and software making these huge automated tractors ready for high-tech ‘field’ work.

AC motors are common throughout industry - easily controlled by VFDs and without the maintenance that comes with DC…

AC motors are common throughout industry - easily controlled by VFDs and without the maintenance that comes with DC brushes. So then, why are DC motors still used in certain applications?

Moisture inside industrial pneumatic systems is a major cause for concern, and if the air is not filtered or dried…

Moisture inside industrial pneumatic systems is a major cause for concern, and if the air is not filtered or dried properly, it can lead to serious failures.

One of the most visible elements of industrial safety is the use of lock-out-tag-out (LOTO) devices, familiar to those…

One of the most visible elements of industrial safety is the use of lock-out-tag-out (LOTO) devices, familiar to those with experience. But, if you are new to the workforce, a brief introduction may be helpful.

Motors drive all sorts of processes in a facility. Depending on the application, which motor starter is best suited for…

Motors drive all sorts of processes in a facility. Depending on the application, which motor starter is best suited for your needs?

In this article, learn the differences between single- and three-phase motors, including how each one works and…

In this article, learn the differences between single- and three-phase motors, including how each one works and applications best suited for each type.

Vacuum pressures are not uncommon, but they can be more complicated than standard air systems. This article explores…

Vacuum pressures are not uncommon, but they can be more complicated than standard air systems. This article explores pneumatic vacuums, exploring applications, uses, and types.

In this article, we take a look at hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric actuators and how they are used in different scenarios.

In this article, we take a look at hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric actuators and how they are used in different scenarios.