The role is certainly more technical than ever, but while high-tech electronics and on-board computers mean farm machinery is more complex than ever before, the equipment is also more reliable; the agricultural technician's role is switching from repairs to maintenance – particularly where remote telematics can give dealers an early warning of likely component failures.
Hourly live-demonstration of mechanic's work
Workshop LIVE provides a behind-the-scenes look at the job of the agricultural technician, and will feature a team of 15 real people from real companies, including apprentices, live in action. They will take part in half-hour shows, presented by a young dynamic moderator, as they carry out a specific maintenance task on an item of machinery. This will be followed by a question-and-answer session, and there will still be time for face-to-face discussions with the technician after that.
The sessions will start on the hour from 10:00 to 17:00, and the machines featured this year include two tractors – a large model from Deutz-Fahr hitched to a Krone round baler and a compact Kubota carrying a 1,000-liter Amazone crop sprayer; a chopper drum from a Claas corn shredder; a ride-on mower and a mowing robot from Husqvarna; and a cordless chainsaw from Stihl.
Hosted by DLG (German Agricultural Society) together with the German agricultural engineering association (LandBauTechnik), Workshop LIVE will take place in Hall 2 at Agritechnica, home of the International Dealer and Service Provider Centre and Information Centre for the Used Machinery Trade. The live demonstrations, with commentary in German, will also be projected on a large plasma screen, making it easy for a large audience to follow closely the various steps that take place in the workshop.
Workshop Live celebrates 10th anniversary
“Workshop Live premiered ten years ago in 2007, and during the course of the week we will showcase more than 50 live demonstrations involving repair work on tractors and other equipment,” says Heinzbert Mies, the project manager for Workshop LIVE.
“This is also a great opportunity to show the exciting and challenging side of the profession, as it involves working with top-line technology that is constantly evolving and improving. Nothing can be more perfect for someone who enjoys working with their hands, and with tractors,” adds Mies.
As well as the hourly demonstrations conducted daily, students from the Hanover area have been invited to visit Agritechnica and participate in Workshop LIVE. This aims to expose young people to the agriculture sector, giving them the chance to ask questions and discover for themselves the opportunities that are available. Training experts will also be present to provide tips on vocational courses available in the field of agri-mechanics and engineering.
Agritechnica 2017 takes place at Hanover's exhibition grounds from the 12 to 18 November (with special preview days on 12 and 13 November). More than 2,800 exhibitors from all over the world have registered to take part.
More information for international visitors considering a visit to Agritechnica 2017 can be found at www.agritechnica.com
