Mobilizing tractors and combines to cultivate crops.
Eaton grows products and solutions across the global landscape. From bountiful harvests to bustling construction sites, our reliable, high-efficiency hydraulic components and systems get the job done. That's why customers turn to Eaton. For example, John Deere approached Eaton when it needed an electronic solution to improve combine efficiency. Eaton responded by developing an
electro-hydraulic controller for John Deere's new HarvestSmart Feedrate Control System, which can automatically adjust the speed of a combine. By eliminating the manual controller, the HarvestSmart system reduces operator fatigue, ensures the machine maintains a consistent crop load and increases overall harvesting productivity.
In addition to our technological advancements, Eaton pursued a
number of strategic acquisitions and joint ventures in 2004 to expand our
hydraulics product
range and sales channels, and build on customer relationships. During the year, we purchased Ultronics Limited and its advanced electro-hydraulic
valve system technology used in mobile applications in construction, forestry, agriculture and other markets. Eaton also acquired Walterscheid Rohrverbindungstechnik
GmbH from GKN plc. Walterscheid's hydraulic tube connectors and fittings
are used in mobile and stationary applications such as construction and
agricultural equipment and machine tools, primarily in the European market.
Additionally,
Eaton announced plans to purchase the businesses of Winner Group Holdings
Ltd., which produces hydraulic hose
fittings and adapters for the greater Chinese market. And we formed a joint venture
with Changzhou Senstar Automobile Air Conditioner Co. Ltd. to
produce automotive air conditioning hose and tube assemblies and power steering
hose and tube assemblies for Volkswagen's operations in China.
