In
2000, BEI
again
won the coveted
AE50 award presented by ASAE (American Society of Agricultural
Engineers). The award is presented for outstanding innovations in product
or systems technology. This year BEI won for its newest harvester, Berry
TraX.
BEI's Berry TraX blueberry harvester uses dual path
hydrostatic powered rubber track technology to promote timely, efficient
harvest of high quality blueberries with minimum impact to the field
and blueberry bushes. Rubber track, dual path drive technology has reduced
machine weight by 23% and ground pressure by 60%.
High floatation and good traction of the rubber tracks allow harvest
operations in high moisture soil conditions without excessive damage
to the field or bushes. The narrow profile reduces damage to bushes
and costs while enhancing safety of machine movement on public roadways.
Drive-by-Wire electronic steering and propulsion control
reduces operator fatigue and improves visibility. The simplicity of
the track drive system has allowed BEI to modify its manufacturing process,
reducing assembly time and labor.
