e-chain and intelligent sensors for precision watering machinery with a span of 45m

• What was needed: E2/000 Series e-chain® with an EC.P sensor to detect push/pull forces
• Requirements: The supply cables should run safely in a fail-safe guidance above the ground.
• Industry: Agricultural engineering
• Success for the customer: The safe and low-wear guidance from the e-chain® enables a long service life, and the area below the cable guide can also be used for potted plants. As a result, the customer expects the system to pay for itself about four years

Watering machines are used in horticulture to supply plants not just with water but also nutrients dissolved therein. In order to be able to reduce the amount of irrigation water required to just the necessary level, Dercks Gartenbau GmbH has developed the "precision watering" machine.

With this irrigation system, water is delivered precisely to the center of each pot. Across approximately 8 hectares (nearly 20 acres) of open-field potted plants, this targeted approach offers significant efficiency gains. Water consumption is reduced by around 35%, and the energy required to run the pumps is cut by roughly 50%.

Following an initial concept developed in spring 2015, a first prototype of the precision watering machine was built to serve plants in larger planters with low planting density across an area of 2,400 m². Encouraged by positive operational results, a significantly larger model was developed in 2018.

The prototype features a span of 45 meters, a travel speed of 18 meters per minute, and covers an area of 9,180 m². With a density of 32 pots per square meter, the precision watering trolley achieves water savings of up to 60%. This translates into annual savings of more than 4,000 cubic meters of irrigation water and over 1,400 kilograms of nutrient salts per hectare per season.

To safely manage the system’s long travel distances, the horticultural operation required a reliable guidance solution for the supply lines—specifically two 1¼-inch hoses used for water delivery.

In order to route all supply cables safely above the ground, the horticultural company now relies on a series 3500 e-chain®. The gentle cable guidance is complemented by a low weight of the plastic chain. At the same time, a crossbar system allows quick and easy opening of the chain and uncomplicated access to cables and hoses. Since the system moves above the plant pots and no cables hang down, not only does maintenance work decrease, but the area below can also be used for an additional10 rows of pots. This gained floor space means 3% higher efficiency which will result in greater profits. According to the customer, the investment in the system will pay itself off after just four years. So far, this has proven to be the case. After the first season, the horticulturist's experience with cable guidance has been consistently positive.

The e-chain is equipped with smart plastics —an intelligent sensor system that continuously monitors push and pull forces and transmits the data in real time. If predefined limit values are exceeded, the system automatically triggers an emergency stop, preventing potential damage and avoiding costly repairs to the cable guide.