In the global agricultural map, different regions face extremely diverse climatic zones: arid continental climate with little rainfall, humid and hot tropical monsoon belt, high plateau areas with big temperature difference between day and night, and hilly south with continuous rainy conditions …… These differentiated These differentiated natural conditions directly affect the use of agricultural equipment performance and stability of life. How to make the same machine in a variety of environments “run stable, with a long time”, has become a common concern of farmers in reality.
However, in reality, agricultural equipment is often “the original match to the ground”, ignoring the climate brought about by the pressure of operation and failure triggers. In arid areas, lubrication and dry consumption, lack of heat, sand and dust wear and other problems are high; in the wet environment, there are often wet lines, rust and corrosion, power system aging and other hidden problems. If there is a lack of systematic adjustment and differentiated maintenance, the equipment failure rate will be significantly increased, and the life expectancy will be significantly shortened.
This paper will focus on “how to accurately adapt agricultural equipment to the climate environment”, starting from typical climate types such as drought, humidity, plateau, etc., combining operational challenges and response strategies, proposing systematic solutions covering materials, structures, maintenance systems, and introducing MINNUO-specific service practices to help users achieve “Low-failure, high-stability” long-cycle safe operation. To make the most suitable use of agricultural machinery in different environments is the true “localization” of modern agriculture.
Contents
- 1 I. Typical climatic characteristics of arid regions and the key points of adaptation of agricultural machinery
- 2 Ⅱ.Challenges of equipment adaptability in wet/rainy environment
- 3 Ⅲ.Special Adaptation Needs in Monsoon Climate / Plateau Areas
- 4 Ⅳ.Suggestions for upgrading key components and materials for climate adaptation
- 5 V. Suggestions for regional differentiation of maintenance management system
- 6 Conclusion
I. Typical climatic characteristics of arid regions and the key points of adaptation of agricultural machinery
1. Description of climatic environment
Arid regions usually include the inland northwest, the grassland fringe or the desert fringe, and their typical climatic manifestations are as follows:
Low annual precipitation: annual precipitation is often less than 300mm, and the humidity in the air is extremely low;
High wind and sand: frequent sand and dust, and the concentration of suspended particulate matter in the air is high;
Wide temperature difference between daytime and nighttime: the high temperature during daytime reaches over 40°C, and drops to below 5°C at night; Severe soil sandification: the surface of hard or powdery sand is soft, and the adhesion is low. The temperature difference between day and night is large: high temperatures of over 40°C during the day and plummeting to below 5°C at night.
Soil sanding is serious: the ground surface is hard or the powdered sand is loose and soft, with low adhesion, making the operating foundation unstable.
2. Common adaptation problems of agricultural machinery
Due to the dry climate, high temperature and wind and sand, agricultural machinery is prone to the following failures in operation:
Difficulty in cold starting: poor lubrication of the engine in the low-temperature environment, long start-up time, and high wear and tear;
Rapid evaporation of lubricating oil: the high-temperature environment leads to the decline of lubricating oil viscosity and insufficient lubrication;
Serious erosion of dust and dirt: sand and wind get into the air filters, hydraulic systems and electronic control components, accelerating the aging of parts;
Wear and tear of the bearings Increased: dust adheres to the dry environment and forms abrasives, accelerating wear;
High battery failure rate: high temperature, fast evaporation of electrolyte, and large temperature difference between day and night shorten the life of batteries;
Cracked/dry tires: long time exposure to the sun causes rubber to deteriorate and lose its elasticity.
3. Coping strategies and usage suggestions
In order to ensure efficient operation and prolonged service life of the equipment in arid climate, all-round optimization should be carried out in terms of selection, daily maintenance and protection:
Selection optimization suggestions
| Component Area | Recommended configuration | Addressing the Problem |
| Lubrication System | High-temperature resistant anti-evaporation lubricant | Reduces wear and maintains stable lubrication |
| Air Filtration | Dual-stage filtration + cyclone pre-filter | Prevents sand and dust from clogging air passages |
| Engine Air Intake | Installation of “Highland dry filtration device” | Reduces particulate inhalation that triggers detonation |
| Battery Maintenance | Solar cell maintenance system | Daytime charging and nighttime balancing mitigates high-temperature losses |
| Cooling System | Installation of additional strong air cooling fan | Improves cooling efficiency to prevent engine overheating |
Recommendations for daily use
Remove the sand and dust outside the cooler and filter element before and after daily operation;
Check whether the air filter is clogged every 50 hours;
Replace the lubricating oil and oil filter every 100 hours, and use antioxidant-type lubricating oil;
Avoid high-temperature lunchtime operation, and recommend working in low temperature in the morning and evening;
Parking the equipment should be avoided as much as possible to avoid the light or use the sunshade cloth to cover, and to prevent the rubber components from deterioration;
Storage battery should be replenished regularly and the voltage should be tested to avoid the voltage stabilization affecting the ignition system. The storage battery should be replenished regularly and the voltage should be checked to avoid the ignition system being affected by unstable voltage.
Ⅱ.Challenges of equipment adaptability in wet/rainy environment
1. Description of climate environment
Wet and rainy areas are often found in the middle and low latitudes of the south, such as the Yangtze River Basin, the coast of South China and the monsoon area, and the climate environment shows the following characteristics:
High annual precipitation: annual precipitation can reach more than 1,000~2,000mm, and the concentration of precipitation is high.
High humidity: the relative humidity of the air is more than 75% all the year round, especially during the busy season when there are continuous rains. High humidity: the relative humidity of the air is more than 75% all year round, especially during the busy farming season;
Muddy and waterlogged plots: it is easy to form operational problems such as “rice paddy stuck in the car”, “agricultural machinery slipping” and “undercarriage siltation”;
Small temperature difference but hot and humid: it is often accompanied by high humidity and hot or wet and cold environment alternating between hot and cold. The temperature difference is small but hot and humid: often accompanied by high humidity and hot or cold environment, metal equipment is more prone to rust and corrosion.
2. Common adaptation problems of agricultural machinery
Long-term operation in high humidity environment will lead to the following failures of agricultural machinery and equipment:
Frequent circuit problems: aging of wiring harnesses, water ingress into terminals, and easy short circuit of electronic control system;
Serious metal corrosion: especially the chassis, blades, coupling bushings and other parts rust quickly when exposed to humidity;
Transmission slippage/braking abnormality: under the wet and slippery working surface, tires slip, transmission failure, and increased braking distance;
Decrease in operating efficiency: After absorbing moisture, the soil is sticky and the dragging resistance is high, and the operating resistance is higher than that of dry land;
Pollution of oil circuit: because mud and water are easy to be backed up or leaked, the diesel fuel tank and water tank are easy to be mixed with impurities, which will lead to the failure of oil supply.
3. Response strategies and optimization suggestions
Sealing and moisture-proof design
| Key parts | APPLICATION MEASURES | Effect Description |
| Electrical connectors | Seal all fittings with waterproof adhesive or heat shrink tubing | Avoid water short-circuit, prolong the life of electronic control |
| Control panel | Use IP65 rated seals with thickened seals | Effective waterproof and dustproof, suitable for strong convective weather |
| Lubrication system | Install protective caps on all oil and grease ports | Prevent rainwater and debris from entering the oil channel |
Structural optimization and selection suggestions
Prefer tracked chassis or wetland tires: to improve field passability and adapt to soft soil sinking scenarios;
Choose “floating” cutter/plow structure: to automatically fit the muddy terrain and reduce the problem of “plugging”, “
Install removable guards: prevent grass, leaves and mud from wrapping around the blades, hubs or fans;
Install dehumidification devices: e.g., place desiccant in the electronic control box or a small moisture exhaust fan to improve stability.
Key points for operation and maintenance
Rinse the chassis and chain immediately after operation to avoid hardening of sludge;
Check the battery terminals once a week to see if they are corroded by moisture;
Regularly observe the moisture stratification of hydraulic oil and diesel fuel tanks, and drain or replace them when necessary;
Turn on the powerful lighting and brake detection function after rain to ensure the safety of operation under the rainy and foggy environment;
It is recommended to configure the platform of Minnuo wetland special agricultural equipment, which is more suitable for the operation. More powerful.
Wet environment does not only affect tire skidding, but also may pose a deeper threat to the electronic control system, transmission performance and equipment durability. Strengthening sealing, enhancing anti-corrosion and optimizing structural design, together with scientific operation and regular maintenance, can realize the long-term stable operation of wetland agricultural machinery.
Ⅲ.Special Adaptation Needs in Monsoon Climate / Plateau Areas
1. Suggestions for Adaptation of Agricultural Machines in Monsoon Areas: Coping with Extreme Rainfall and Water Vapor Scouring
In monsoon climatic areas, such as Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, and Hainan, strong convective rainfalls, mudslides, and sudden waterlogging often occur. Complicated terrain with many slopes and ditches, difficult to turn the equipment, high risk of downhill slippage.
✅ Adaptive countermeasures:
| Improvements | Suggested Measures |
| Water resistance | Install drainage channels, add seals to the electronic control box, and use waterproof housings for key sensors |
| Operational suitability | Prefer short wheelbase and high ground clearance structure to improve the passing ability on slopes |
| Anti-slip properties | Replace the tires with wet grip tread + add hydraulic assisted brakes |
| Rust treatment | Paint all bolts and rotating parts with antirust paint, and rinse + dry them after each operation. |
2. Adaptation recommendations for plateau dry and cold areas: resisting low pressure and low temperature, guaranteeing fuel ignition
The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, western Sichuan and pastoral areas of Inner Mongolia are in a low-oxygen, dry and cold environment (year-round barometric pressure of 600-800hPa and winter temperatures as low as -20°C) all year round, which puts unique requirements on agricultural equipment:
Thin air makes it difficult for diesel fuel to atomize and ignite, resulting in a decrease in power output;
Water tanks and batteries are prone to freezing in winter, and the lubricant viscosity rises, leading to cold-start failure; engines are prone to stall under thin air, resulting in a delay in power response. leading to cold start failure;
engine easily stalls under thin oxygen, delayed power response.
✅ Response Strategy:
| Links | Suggested Optimization |
| Fuel System | Equipped with preheating plug + fuel warming device to ensure the stability of cold-start ignition |
| Cooling System | Preferred dual-circulation design: main coolant + auxiliary heating circuit to enhance the efficiency of alpine heat dissipation |
| Starting Electricity | Use low-temperature batteries (e.g. special for extreme cold at -30°C), and add thermal insulation cotton shields to the battery |
| Air Filtration System | Preferred large-capacity dry air filtration + filtration level ≥ISO F7, to effectively cope with floating dust and highland sand erosion |
| Power Delivery | Suggested use in altitudes >3000m. MINNUO high altitude pressurization system is used to maintain power output stability. |
Ⅳ.Suggestions for upgrading key components and materials for climate adaptation
Different climatic conditions pose different challenges to the core parts of agricultural equipment, such as “lubrication, filtration, electrical, sealing and anti-corrosion”. Reasonable upgrading of the configuration and material selection of key components is the key path to improve the climate adaptability of the equipment.
| Parts | Recommended configuration for arid environment | Recommended for wet environments |
| Lubrication System | Anti-evaporation synthetic oil: it can effectively resist high temperature evaporation and oil film breakage; it is suitable for areas with big temperature difference between day and night and frequent operation. | Lubricant with rust inhibiting additives: good water separation and adhesion for high humidity and rainy weather parking. |
| Filter System | Multi-stage anti-sand filter element: including primary “cyclone dust remover + pre-filter” + high efficiency main filter element combination, which can effectively prevent the intrusion of wind and sand. | Large-capacity moisture-proof air filter: with “oleophilic and hydrophobic” coated filter media to minimize the risk of clogging when rainwater is drawn in. |
| Circuit System | High-temperature-resistant cables: long-term heat-resistant cables above 120°C are selected, and double-layer insulation structure is used to avoid wire aging caused by high temperature. | Moisture-proof sealing shell + waterproof plug: the key connectors of the wiring harness are sealed with glue, and the main control unit is sprayed with moisture-proof coating to prevent leakage. |
| Sealing System | Dust protection sealing: such as O-ring and retaining ring structure at the shaft end to prevent long-term erosion of sand particles; use of high elasticity and heat-resistant materials. | Soft silicone rubber composite sealing: Adopting the process of “airtight laminating + pressing glue to close the edge”, it has strong sealing and excellent waterproof and mold resistance. |
| Frame and Housing | Selection of high-temperature resistant powder coating materials: such as coating systems containing ceramic particles, anti-UV, anti-cracking, anti-flaking. | Moisture-proof coating + electrophoresis process: pre-painted zinc primer + electrophoresis + top coating three-layer structure, anti-acid rain and moisture penetration, life expectancy increased by more than 30%. |
Explanation of material matching points
Lubricant selection should be combined with temperature fluctuation and refueling frequency
In arid area, under high temperature operation, it is recommended to use API CI-4 grade diesel engine oil with stable viscosity, low volatility and strong thermal stability;
In humid area, it is preferred to use grease with “corrosion inhibitor” to adapt to the surface condensation during downtime.
Recommended configuration of filter element system:
Dry and sandy area: it is recommended to configure “three-stage air filtration system” and add cyclone pre-filtering components;
Rainy environment: it is necessary to consider the deformation of moisture absorption of the filter element, and it is recommended to use hydrophobic membrane materials.
Electrical protection should not be ignored:
Wet area: the controller PCB board is recommended to increase the “three-proof paint spraying”;
Dry area: high-temperature zone wiring ducts and cables must be heat-resistant 125 ° C or more, to prevent carbonization of the insulation layer.
Seal material suggestion:
Recommended fluorine rubber (FKM) in dry area, high temperature aging performance is excellent;
Recommended silicone rubber (VMQ) or nitrile rubber (NBR) in wet area, moisture resistant and oil resistant, suitable for electrical parts.
Practical suggestions and selection reference
OEM procurement stage: it is recommended to give priority to the manufacturer to explain the “operating environment and climate characteristics”, and request the configuration of a regionalized selection list;
Users to modify their own:
Replacement of seals/wiring harnesses/filters and other wear parts, periodic maintenance and replacement;
It is recommended to set up the “summer/winter dual-use mode” to support rapid replacement of the electrical parts. It is recommended to set “summer/winter mode” to support quick oil and filter change.
MINNUO Climate Customization Service Tips
MINNUO provides a list of multi-climate adaptation options, including:
High-temperature operation kit (high-temperature oil + heat-resistant wiring harness);
High-humidity anti-corrosion protection kit (full electrical seal + electrophoresis parts);
High-altitude/wind-sand area power adaptation system (plateau-type turbine, wind-sand multi-stage filtration kit);
Supports users in “one machine, many places”; Supports users in “one machine, many places”. Supporting the user’s intelligent adaptation of climatic conditions and switching of accessories under the cross-area operation of “one machine, many places”.
V. Suggestions for regional differentiation of maintenance management system
As climatic conditions have a significant impact on the operating status and wear and tear of agricultural equipment, the establishment of a maintenance system formulated “according to climate zones” is the key to guaranteeing the reliability of agricultural equipment. Maintenance priorities, frequency of maintenance and overhaul programs should be differentiated between arid and humid zones, rather than “one size fits all”.
Recommendations for maintenance in arid zones: dealing with sand, dust, high temperatures and lack of lubrication
| Items | Recommendation Cycle | Description |
| Air Filtration System Inspection | Every 100 hours | Regularly clean or replace the filter element to prevent sand and dust from clogging the air intake |
| Air Cooling Dissipation System Inspection | Every 100 hours | Check the impeller for sand, exhaust smoothness, and prevent heat dissipation from decreasing |
| Lubrication System Lubricant Replacement | Every 300 hours | High temperatures can easily lead to lubricant evaporation and degradation, replace in advance to ensure lubrication |
| Cable & Plastic Parts Inspection | Quarterly | Check for deterioration and cracking, and protect or replace with adhesive wrapping if necessary. |
Additional recommendations: Before operation, it is recommended to check the “thickness of dust deposits” to determine whether to replace the screen or forced cooling system in advance; the use of high-temperature grease with antioxidants can improve the maintenance cycle.
✅ Wet Area Maintenance Recommendations: Tackling Moisture, Corrosion and Conductive Failures
| Items | Recommendation Cycle | Description |
| Post-job mud removal and drying | After each operation | Especially for tracks, plows, axles and other parts that are prone to mud accumulation, to prevent corrosion caused by “bringing mud into the warehouse”. |
| Electrical wiring moisture check | Monthly | Check whether there is water in plugs and sockets, whether there is mold and mildew on cables, and whether there is condensation in the distribution box. |
| Drive shaft greasing | Every 200 hours | Lubricating oils are prone to emulsification and failure in high humidity, so it is necessary to replenish water-resistant grease. |
| Corrosion protection painting and chassis electrophoresis inspection | Quarterly | Check the integrity of weld seams, paint films on wheels and chassis structures, to prevent oxidation and corrosion from spreading. |
Additional Suggestions: It is recommended that the equipment be equipped with a canopy or temporary cover to prevent water erosion when parked; moisture adsorption packages or micro dehumidification fans can be used to dehumidify the equipment during storage.
Suggested Configuration and “Regional Maintenance Kit”
In order to facilitate the operation site maintenance response, according to the different regional climatic configuration of customized maintenance toolkit or portable maintenance equipment:
| Climate zones | Recommended “maintenance kit” configuration |
| Arid zones | with sand-proof air filter, anti-split grease, portable compressed air dust blower, heat-resistant cable ties |
| Humid zones | with moisture-proof electrical seals, hand-held hair dryer, dehumidifier for electrical connectors, drying pellet packs, etc. |
| Plateau zones | with high-altitude power compensated nozzle heating kit, battery preheater, -20°C anti-freeze grease |
Conclusion
Agricultural equipment is not a “fixed template”, but should be adapted to local conditions and climate. In the face of complex and changing environments such as drought, humidity and plateau, blind use of unsuitable equipment often leads to frequent failures, shortened life span and interruption of operations, which not only affects the efficiency of agricultural production, but also increases the cost of operation and maintenance.
This article highlights the significance of “optimizing the use of machines by region” by systematically analyzing the typical climatic characteristics of arid and humid environments, the performance of equipment failures, the response to the configuration and maintenance system and other key points. Practice has proved that as long as the scientific adjustment of agricultural machinery parts and materials, structural configuration and maintenance rhythm, whether in the hot and dry sandy areas of Northwest China or the rainy and humid paddy fields of South China, agricultural equipment can achieve stable, efficient and low-loss operation.
MINNUO focuses on improving the adaptability of agricultural equipment in extreme climates, providing customized solutions covering lubrication system enhancement, dust- and moisture-proof structure, and electronic control corrosion-resistant upgrading in multiple climatic zones, which help farmers to “reduce equipment failures, and keep operations on track”. Through “climate regionalized design + modular configuration + intelligent maintenance platform”, MINNUO is becoming a reliable and efficient agricultural machinery technology partner for many agricultural users.
