The rise of connected equipment is transforming the way farmers run their businesses, enabling them to manage resources more precisely, efficiently and sustainably.
How the future of AG is rooted in connected equipment
Technology gives farmers the ability to monitor their crops in real time, optimize their operations and boost productivity.
At the heart of this innovation lies a key component: rubber.
Intelligent crop and machine monitoring
Connected equipment is revolutionizing the agricultural industry by enabling real-time monitoring of crop conditions, machinery, and environmental factors. Sensors integrated into tractors and harvesters, for example, can monitor key data such as soil moisture, plant growth, and levels of elements like water or fertilizer. This allows farmers to make more informed decisions and respond quickly to the specific needs of their crops.
Better accuracy
Precision farming refers to the targeted distribution of resources, which reduces costs and environmental impacts—and it’s all made possible by connected technologies. Connected tractors and harvesters are equipped with sensors that can monitor soil conditions and crop health. Drones or automated robots can be used for field mapping, spraying or even harvesting, to truly optimize every step of the farming process.
Sustainability and productivity
These innovations help to extend the lifespan of connected agricultural equipment, while enabling better management of natural resources. Such technologies allow performance monitoring and early detection of potential problems like component wear, sensor malfunctions or irrigation system leaks. Not only does this reduce downtime, but the associated maintenance costs as well.
All of this equipment relies on rubber components to protect its internal systems, so that farmers can count on it to function in extreme conditions.
Rubber: working hand in hand with connected agricultural technologies
Rubber’s unique properties make it an indispensable material in agricultural environments. It’s characterized by its high elasticity, resistance to shock, vibration and weather, as well as its ability to absorb impact. It also offers excellent thermal and electrical insulation, making it an ideal material for protecting sensitive electronic equipment.
Component protection and sealing
Connected agricultural equipment often has to operate in demanding conditions where it’s exposed to weather, shocks, and wear and tear.
Rubber gaskets which are found in control boxes and other electronic components, work by isolating and protecting sensors and electronics from vibration, dust, water, and chemicals. By ensuring a tight seal, rubber gaskets play a key role in making agricultural machinery more reliable.
Vibration resistance
Agricultural environments involve constant vibration and movement. To protect connected equipment, rubber components such as anti-vibration mounts are essential. They reduce vibrations for components like GPS units and navigation systems, extending their lifespan and ensuring consistent performance.
What is Soucy Baron’s link to connected agriculture?
We work closely with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to develop custom parts that meet both the technical specifications of new connected technologies, and the durability required for demanding agricultural conditions. Our rubber parts combine strength and flexibility, ensuring connected equipment enjoys optimal protection and long life. Each component is carefully designed by our engineers, who incorporate advanced design principles to meet the specific requirements of each application. Patrice de Martin, project manager, engineering at Soucy Baron:
Before going into production, our parts undergo rigorous laboratory testing to evaluate their performance in extreme conditions.
To validate the performance of our custom rubber solutions, we conduct rigorous real-world testing. We use a rapid prototyping process to deliver solutions that are perfectly tailored to the specific needs of farmers, while addressing the challenges of connected agriculture.
Discover how our rubber solutions can improve the performance and durability of your connected agricultural equipment.
