LAFORGE received in september 2008 a "Châlons d'Or" award during Equip Agro exhibition for the innovating ballasting system: two-stages FLEXIMASS.

2-stages Fleximass, the latest in the range Fleximass, has been specially designed for being compatible with 2-point and 3-point mounted implements.

In 2007, LAFORGE received in the United States an AE50 Award for its FLEXIMASS. This award is given annually by the ASABE (Amercian Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers) to enterprises in agriculture and biology for their innovative products and services.

In 2007, the SIMA Show’s Technical Comity for Promotion of Research and Development (CERT) has awarded LAFORGE a nomination for its FLEXIMASS system.

Tractors should be as light as possible to reduce rolling resistance during high speed operations and transport.
However they must be heavy enough to efficiently tackle heavy draft field works.

Ballasting by adding wheel weights or water in tires is difficult to do.

More and more implements are of a pulled type version, due to their size, which eliminate the weight transfer possibility.

The FLEXIMASS system consists in a frame installed on the 3 point hitch, which carry 2 weights that are offset. With this system, it remains possible to connect implement to rear draw bar or trailor hitch. Visibility to the implement is retained as the weights are located behind the wheels.

By carrying the weights on the 3 point hitch they are easy to put on and drop off, to match quickly to various tasks.

Benefits are:

• Reduction of soil compaction and fuel consumption
• Improved operator safety
• Time saving during ballast adjustment
• Reduced need to purchase weight as FLEXIMASS can rotate between several tractors.

In 2005, the SIMA Show’s Technical Comity for Promotion of Research and Development (CERT) has awarded LAFORGE a Gold medal for its exclusive system designed to dynamically follow ground contour while carrying the implement (DYNACONTOUR^®).

It is easy to follow ground contour with trailed implements, but the weight carried by gauge wheel cannot be used to improve tractive capacity.

On the opposite, when the implement is carried by the tractor, it does not properly follow ground contour. This situation is amplified when using front and rear implements combinations, as well as with flotation tyres and suspended front axle.

The DYNACONTOUR^® system continuously measures top link variations due to ground variations or tractor’s pitch variations to automatically adjust lower link position. This system requires no specific adjustment.

Benefits are:

• Outstanding quality of work
• Simplify and speed up headland operations
• Full benefit of suspended front axle
• Full benefit of automatic sequencing of headland operations
• Increased productivity and reduced operators fatigue

In 1997, the SIMA Show’s Technical Comity for Promotion of Research and Development (CERT) has awarded LAFORGE a nomination for its "GYRO-RETRO" kit.

This system consists in a combination that includes 2 mirrors and a Beacon light, installed on a portable frame. It is installed in front of front mounted implements.

With this device, the tractor driver can , from the cab, see incoming traffic before crossing a road.

Further more the beacon light, installed in front of a shield , to protect the driver from its light, is warning incoming traffic about the presence of the convoy.

This device greatly improves safety during road travel with front mounted implements.

In 1995, the SIMA Show’s Technical Comity for Promotion of Research and Development(CERT) has awarded LAFORGE a Gold medal for its exclusive Integrated side to side contour following system obtained by arms’ oscillations, thus ensuring perfect control of working depth. (INTERCOUPLER)

Further more, this system includes a permanent partial implement weight transfer and a full weight transfer during active traction control’s adjustments.
This system does not require any specific set up.

Benefits are:

• Simplicity of operation.
• Improved work quality.
• Improved tractor efficiency.

In 1993, the SIMA Show’s Technical Comity for Promotion of Research and Development (CERT) has awarded LAFORGE a silver medal for the first electronic position and traction control designed for front hitches. It allows implements’ automatic position correction in relation with tractors tractive capacity while taking into consideration specific front implements dynamic behaviour.

This system is still the only market available solution for controlling front mounted ground engaging implements.

Between 1993 and 1997 LAFORGE received in the United States four AE50 Award. These awards are given annually by the ASABE (Amercian Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers).