[VIDEO] POCLAIN HYDRAULICS ON VERVAET HYDRO TRIKE 5X5

Vervaet, like Poclain, is a family business with deep roots in agriculture – starting with beet harvesters and moving to design their flagship machine, the Hydro Trike in 1989. The machine conception came about as governments pushed farming toward slurry injection as a way to reduce environmental issues related to ammonia emissions. Poclain recently worked with Vervaet to supply wheel motors on the unique five-wheeled self-propelled liquid slurry processor.

The Hydro Trike is a self-propelled slurry applicator with 530 horsepower and a 16 to 20m3 slurry tank. Vervaet is a market leader in the Netherlands, France, Italy, as well as many other countries. They are best known for the simplicity of their machines, high reliability and ability to maintain value.

The clever overall design of the Hydro Trike sets it apart from competitors. The machine’s maneuverability and high capacity allow it to spread nutrients evenly and efficiently. Another differentiator for Vervaet is their strong focus on service, as productivity is paramount to agricultural contractors who have no time to lose when it comes to maintenance or repairs.

Most recently, Vervaet integrated Poclain Hydraulics wheel motors onto the left and right middle axle of the five-wheel driven Hydro Trike. Trends toward precision farming push farmers toward more efficient solutions that cause less damage to soil. Vervaet identified that it would be possible to increase traction, maintain more even ground pressure, and minimize ground friction by adding drive motors to the middle axle. This helps to minimize ground damage on loose soil, growing crops or grassland.

“In the past the middle axle was not driven, and to tow the middle axle was very hard, now it is self-driven, and that works very nice!” says Daan Van de Velde, Marketing Manager at Vervaet.

Vervaet chose the Poclain Hydraulics wheel motor for its compact, high-power design as its dimensions fit perfectly into the Hydro Trike’s envelope. Currently, the first wheel motors are being inspected after 1,200 hours and have proven to be perfect hydraulically. With better control on hilly terrain, the five-wheel drive version will be available in 2021.