ESM Ennepetaler Schneid- und Mähtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
Köner Str. 29
D 58256 Ennepetal

Agritechnica 2007


ESM’s newest innovation to be revealed at the upcoming trade fair – the “CaneThumper®” will revolutionize the sugar cane harvest all over the world.

With its “CaneThumper®”, ESM (Ennepetaler Schneid- und Mähtechnik GmbH & Co.KG), plans to introduce an innovative harvesting concept at the agritechnica 2007 in Hanover, which will revolutionize sugar cane harvesting around the globe. Sent by e-mail to Ennepetal just 12 months ago, a rather vague inquiry by a farmer from South Africa developed in an unbelievably short period of time into one of the most exciting and promising projects for the experienced cutting technology specialists.

Despite all existing technical advancements, more than 80% of all sugar cane fields in the world are still painstakingly harvested by hand, because the use of heavy-duty equipment is nearly impossible on the often impassable terrain. Traditional sugar cane combine harvesters, which can only be used on level ground, require tremendous initial and subsequent investments, but generate only average harvesting results. They also cause considerable harvest losses, as well as ecological damage because they compact the soil and damage the plants which would otherwise replenish themselves up to 12 times. All previous attempts to design smaller, lighter-built mechanical harvesting aids have failed, because of the lack of durable or generally functioning cutting solutions.

Finally, ESM achieved a phenomenal break-through by newly developing and modifying a double-blade cutter based on the tried-and-tested bidux technology. Relying on extensive field studies under the harshest of harvesting condition in KwaZulu Natal (South Africa), ESM’s „CaneThumper® was developed in close cooperation with a local project partner as well as with agria MotorGartenGeräte, a German company that supplied a specially adapted equipment holder. Since its debut at the International World Sugar Cane Conference (ISCCT) in Durban (SA) this July, the CaneThumper® has caused quite a stir around the world.

In the meantime, CSE/Northmec together with New Holland SA was enlisted as a potential importer and seller for South Africa and its neighbouring countries. The group is currently busy marketing the first production lot of some 150 machines locally. Along with ESM’s activities in Southern Africa, other sales organisations are being set up in South America, India, and South East Asia so that all countries potentially producing sugar cane will be supplied by 2008.

Another praiseworthy highlight presented at ESM’s booth (hall 06 / booth G08) is a project study entitled: “„Leichtschlegeln in der Anwendung am Mähdrescher bei Hochschnittverfahren” (“Light flail mowing with a combine harvester for high cutting processes”). In close cooperation with the Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences, the researchers made the promising experiment – funded as part of the PRO INNO III project plan programme of the German government – to move the entire straw chaffing process away from the threshing unit by using a highly compact, low-energy consuming flail mulch component for adaptation at a combine’s cutting table.

Developed by the Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences, simulation programs, installed at the data processing center of the RWTH Aachen, enable researchers to make unique mass, flow and power-demand calculations. Previously, such insights had to be gained in cumbersome trial-and-error field studies. Designed as an innovation with Kunzelmann among other companies, the light-weight double blade hedge trimming cutters (optionally shiftable to the side) are proof of the fact that ESM sees considerable potential for further advancements in oscillating mowing technology. The cutters can be mounted on all common small tractors with a three-point rear receiver.

Due to its low weight, wide cutting width, low power consumption and soil-conserving design, ESM’s “bidux” double blade cutting system can be used anywhere, preferable for plant care in ecologically valuable areas such as biotopes, nature preserves, embankments, slopes, marsh areas, etc. The ecologically friendly application of the machines generates enormous savings in energy consumption – a topic more current today than ever.

Contact: ESM, Ennepetaler Schneid- und Mähtechnik GmbH & Co.KG Phone: ++49 (0) 23 33 - 96 88 0 Fax: ++49 (0) 23 33 - 96 88 88 eMail: contact@esm-ept.de Internet: www.esm-ept.de