Presented in 2023 as an inter-row sprayer, the autonomous and fully electric Merlo Cingo M600Td-e prototype enabled the company’s technicians to gain the experience necessary to develop a new vehicle, also autonomous and fully electric but multifunctional, capable not only of transporting materials but also of managing electrically powered implements
For years, the Merlo tracked transporter range has been offered with powertrains mainly based on gasoline and diesel engines. These machines also allow their transmission systems to be adapted to the specific missions they are required to perform, ranging from hydraulic systems to hydraulic systems with gear reducers and hydrostatic systems with gear reducers.
To further expand the application possibilities of its “Cingo” transporters, Merlo later introduced into the range a model designated “M600Td-e”, electrically powered by two motors supplied by a 7.5-kilowatt-hour lithium battery operating at 48 volts. In 2023, this very machine was used as the base structure for the development of an inter-row vineyard spraying system named “M600A-e”, itself consisting of a 200-liter fiberglass tank supported by a hot-dip galvanized frame and air conveyor.
Spraying is carried out by a hydraulically driven tangential fan assisted by a diaphragm pump feeding anti-drip brass nozzles. These features are combined with a dense array of 360-degree environmental perception sensors, a satellite localization system with RTK correction, and an information management control unit whose software handles in-row operations differently from headland turning maneuvers.
During operation, the algorithm controls trajectories while keeping the machine equidistant from the rows through dedicated positioning sensors that stop both movement and spraying if an obstacle is detected. During turning maneuvers, on the other hand, the algorithm follows GPS-based trajectories to re-enter the next row. Should obstacles be present, instead of stopping temporarily, the system avoids them by identifying alternative paths that later converge back onto the predefined trajectory.
Constantly updated in both hardware and software, especially in its control algorithms, the Merlo “Cingo M600A-e” has recently been revised in its base equipment configuration to create a new transporter characterized by greater multifunctionality. In addition to serving as a sprayer, it can now operate as a true transporter capable of handling loads of up to 600 kilograms and powering electrically operated implements mounted through a dedicated removable three-point linkage.
To support this evolution, battery capacity has been increased to more than 26 kilowatt-hours, and tracks with oscillating rollers have been introduced to ensure traction, stability, and operating efficiency across different types of terrain, while also supporting full-time working activities.
These activities are made possible by the onboard control system, which among the various monitored parameters also checks battery operating status and automatically initiates the charging process when available energy falls below 20 percent of battery capacity.
It should also be noted that the “M600A-e” can be managed both digitally, through a dedicated app, and manually, for which Merlo has also designed a dedicated operator platform.
A Cingo for Every Task
The “Cingo” transporter range is structured around three different usage options. The first includes the transporters themselves: compact and maneuverable mini-dumpers designed for transporting materials in confined spaces or on difficult terrain. These machines feature hydraulic transmissions and simple, intuitive controls, low centers of gravity for enhanced stability, and overcenter valves ensuring the required safety on steep slopes. A dedicated system allows containers and implements to be handled, making the machine versatile and quick to adapt to different operational requirements.
Alongside the transporters are the multifunctional “Cingo” models, highly versatile carriers equipped with a patented quick-coupling implement system consisting of two hydraulically operated steel arms. The hydrostatic transmission with gear reducers, integrated parking brake, and effective dynamic braking guarantee safety and control, while hydraulic servo-controls allow speed and trajectory to be managed with precision even during the most delicate operations.
The third option is represented by the “Cingo” implement carriers, specifically designed for specialized agriculture, particularly viticulture, and therefore intended to operate agilely in restricted spaces. The compact structure and the possibility of equipping the base chassis with different implements make these machines extremely versatile, while the tracked system with oscillating rollers guarantees traction, stability, and operating efficiency on various types of terrain.
Title: New transporter Merlo Cingo M600Td-e: autonomous and fully electric
Translation with ChatGPT
