Fit-for-purpose generators built especially to meet the needs of farmers and the agricultural sector are said to be gaining popularity. 

Smith Power Equipment’s Renier Potgieter asserts that farmers have diverse needs and invest in reliable equipment able to operate in demanding agricultural operations.

He notes a shift in customer preferences towards specialised builds, marking a departure from conventional off-the-shelf solutions.

"Solar cannot always take the load when needed," Potgieter states, highlighting a common limitation faced by the agricultural sector. He underscores the necessity of a dependable power source that can handle the diverse and often unpredictable demands of farming operations.

Smith Power Equipment highlights a recent collaboration with a farmer who constructed 50 offroad trailers for irrigation purposes. The trailers house generators that are transported to the required sites, tapping into underground water sources. The integrated design includes features such as trailing cables, automatic changeovers during power outages, double axles with 15-inch wheels to run in the same track as a bakkie and robust construction capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions. The use of variable speed drives enables water to be pumped from depths of up to 180 m from deep underground reserves.

The company caters to a range of power needs, offering generators ranging from 80 kVA to 2 000 kVA. The company also builds its customised units locally, which it says ensures quality control and precision through processes such as laser cutting of parts, precision fitment and balancing of rotating parts, and high-quality tools and craftsmanship.

Smith Power Equipment says it offers a range of generator builds that incorporate noted engine brands, including Kubota, that serve as the foundation for custom builds tailored to meet specific agricultural requirements.

Potgieter highlights the company’s commitment to local manufacturing and explains that the selected engines are integrated with alternators and other electrical or mechanical components, creating purpose-built generator sets that are supported by the company’s dealer network across the country.