Many years of successful cooperation
In 2008, the Karat was the first application by Lemken implemented with self-lubricating iglide® plain bearings. Earlier Lemken used DU bushings in its machines. "All laughed at us about the Karat cultivator in the beginning, because we wanted to use plastic at the bearing point," Lars Heier admits. "Today, the plastic plain bearings have to be replaced only every few years depending on the load, which accounts for, in addition to the lubricant saved, an additional cost advantage."
After this pioneering project, numerous other equipment from Lemken were equipped with iglide® bearings. The collaboration between the two companies worked very well in the process: igus® tested their own materials very extensively in the in-house
test laboratory in Cologne, where various bearing materials are combined with different shaft materials in order to calculate coefficients of friction and wear as precisely as possible.
Moreover, Lemken tests the products specifically for their needs at its own site. "It is of much value for us to work with a company from the area. Because, it is possible to sit together without losing time and without complications to discuss new projects or to try new solutions," says Lars Heier. In order to respond to customers at their sites, igus® employs qualified experts in the field who stand by local customers. In addition, there are industry specialists at the headquarters in Cologne who work closely focused on their respective areas and support projects, including in the
agricultural sector.