Transport, loading and belt system | Descriptions of equipment Farming Simulator 17 Guide
Last update: 28 November 2016
This chapter focuses on trailers, loaders and other devices that can be used to load and transport goods (excluding front loaders described in the first chapter about tractors, agricultural machines and bale technology). Here you can also find information about the belt system.
- Fliegl DPW 180 trailer
- Tippers
- Auger wagons
- Loading wagons
- Dollies
- Front loaders
- Mini-loaders, telehandlers, wheel loaders
- Train
- Belt system
Fliegl DPW 180 trailer
Fliegl DPW 180 trailer from the Bale technology category is worth mentioning here. It's a universal and at the same time the cheapest ($18,000) trailer in the game (platform trailers serve the same function). It can be used to transport every good in the game: bales, wood, pallets. Additionally, transport straps (R) protect the cargo from falling out of the trailer. However, it doesn't have a function of a tipper - loading and unloading the trailer must be done with the help of loaders.
Tippers
The most basic type of trailers you will be using during the whole game. Those differ among themselves in their loading capacity. Note that the most basic models (up to 21,000l capacity) can be linked together. Remember that there should be a trailer with double wheels on the back of the trailer (such as TKD 302), followed by any number of trailers with widely spaced wheels (such as HKD 302 or DB 8). As the name suggests tippers have the ability to unload the cargo at specially designated places (I), or forcefully at any given location (CTRL+I). However, you still can't unload the cargo at places reserved for other types of resources and crucial locations - such as a street.
Note that you can't detach a trailer when it's raised for unloading. If you are using more than one trailer you have to remember to switch (G) to the one you want to unload first. Larger tippers (such as Fliegl ASS 298) require a dolly (Dolly category) to attach it to a tractor. Aside from Krone TX 560 D all of the models available in the game are capable of transporting almost every type of solid cargo.
Auger wagons
It's worth it to purchase one of those trailers. Auger wagons move cargo between machines - they have a special pipe that is used to transport goods from one machine (such as a harvester) into another cargo container. It's useful when you are emptying a harvester and want to place everything into a single cargo. However, it's not a necessity during the early stages of the game. Unfortunately, you can't use auger wagons with tuberous plants (such as potatoes).
Loading wagons
A fundamental element of equipment for every farmer. Loading wagons allow you to collect hay, grass, straw, chaff and silage. Especially useful during the early stages of the game - a good idea is to install a mower on the front of the tractor. It can also be used to quickly clean filth near animal troughs. The only difference between various models is the storage capacity.
To use a loading wagon you have to lower (V) and activate (B) it. To unload it you can use a normal unloading method (I) or a forced one (CTRL+I). You won't be able to detach the loading wagon from a tractor or continue collecting material unless the door located on the back of the device is closed.
Dollies
Dollies are used to transport slow vehicles over long distances. However, they can also be used to transport bales, wood or pallets.
Front loaders
Those are thoroughly described in the "Tractors, harvesters, trucks" chapter located in this guide. Those vehicles give you the easiest and most versatile loading method among other devices in the game - they allow you to install various attachments used to load different types of goods.
Mini-loaders, telehandlers, wheel loaders
Those three categories contain machines with different powers and usage. All of those machines require specific attachments. Mini-loaders are quite versatile - they have attachments used to manipulate trees (loading, tree felling and trunk removing). Unfortunately, those are slow and aren't that different from front loaders.
Telehandlers have a retractable arm, allowing them to reach high and far, making them immensely useful. What is more, those machines are most commonly chosen by players willing to purchase something better than a regular front loader.
Wheel loaders are the heavy equipment. You should first make sure that you really need them. Loading process is a breeze while using those machines - a shovel has a capacity of 6,000l. Unfortunately, wheel loaders move sluggishly and aren't the easiest to handle. Additionally, there's a problem with the wood grasper - it's adapted to grab several wooden logs at once. If you use it to grab a single one, there's a high chance that it will simply slip out.
Train
Trains are available only on the Goldcrest Valley map. You can enter them as any other vehicle in the game - you can also switch to them (after enabling it in the menu). Those have a large storage capacity (e.g. 160,000l for sugar beets) and are connected with several purchase points where an automatic unloading occurs. Loading process happens on stations located in the central part of the map. Those also serve as transshipment points, allowing you to move cargo from one train into another (as they move along independent railroads). The train cannot be derailed and it reaches up to 82km/h.
Belt system
Belt system is composed of three different devices that supplement each other and can be linked with each other at will. Those allow you to load any vegetables lying on the ground. It's especially useful when dealing with potatoes, sugar beets or even manure, resources that cannot be stored in a silo. You don't have to attach devices to each other. You can enter any of them to slightly manipulate the accuracy of the belts. The lowest belt, S-710, allows you to pick elements from the ground, the optional TC 80-16 can transport them in a straight line, whereas SL 80-22 Quantum can load them high above the ground, allowing you to move them directly into a trailer. Devices will become active as soon as there's a storage device located underneath the highest belt.
Grimme RH 24-60 that can be found in this category is of a different kind - it is used to load tuberous plants (such as potatoes) onto pallets. However, it's not a very convenient method of loading, as you have to reposition the machine slightly each time you want to load goods onto a different pallet - not to mention that pallets can store only 2,000l of resources.