Technology to Combat Shortage of Skilled Laborers in Agriculture

Contractor May facilitates vehicle maintenance with new Lutz Lube Drive tool

Wertheim, March 24, 2026 – One of the reasons agricultural companies are having difficulty finding personnel is because of physically demanding work, such as filling tractors with lubricating grease. This is why contractor May from Steinfurt makes targeted use of technical tools that streamline work processes. One example is the filling tool Lutz Lube Drive, which can be operated with a cordless screwdriver. This means that the employees no longer need to operate pumps manually.

Most people take it for granted to have fresh asparagus on their plates every spring at the lowest possible price. But behind the scenes, farmers have a problem: a shortage of skilled laborers. According to a study by the German Agricultural Society (DLG) conducted in the spring of 2025, 45% of 668 surveyed agricultural companies are concerned about the impact in the next couple of years.

Physical work is a deterrent

20.7% of the affected farmers are addressing the issue by outsourcing work to agricultural contractors who provide support with all types of field and harvest work. But even contractors are having an increasingly hard time finding motivated workers. “Today, many people are deterred by the strenuous work involved in agriculture,” confirms Michael Bundschuh, a machine operator at contractor May from Steinfurt and agricultural service supervisor. “This is why we continue to invest in modern machinery, vehicles, and technical tools that are transforming the nature of the work, making many tedious, physically demanding tasks considerably easier.”

One of the unpleasant but essential tasks that contractors have to carry out every day is lubricating tractors, combine harvesters, plows, seeders, and cultivators. Many companies use hand pumps to fill their central lubrication systems, which, after weeks of repeated use, can lead to strain on the hands, wrists, and forearms.

Cordless screwdrivers instead of physical work

Contractor May has therefore switched to a filling tool called Lube Drive from Lutz Pumpen. “We have developed the world’s first eccentric screw pump tube powered by a standard cordless screwdriver,” says Andreas Rössler, Head of Sales at Lutz Pumpen. The tool is suitable for common lubricating grease containers and conveys up to two kilograms of grease per minute. “The compact design and the fact that the pump can be connected to a cordless screwdriver, makes the work much easier on the hands, arms, and back. So refilling becomes considerably more convenient and reduces physical strain,” says Bundschuh. “For us, Lube Drive is not only a technical aid, but a real winner in terms of ergonomics and convenience at the workplace.”

About Lutz Holding GmbH

Lutz Holding GmbH has been a leader in professional fluid management since 1954. The group of companies includes organizations active internationally in pump technology, water treatment, and disinfection, and has a global presence with 16 sales and production sites in over 80 countries. The group includes Lutz Pumpen GmbH in Wertheim, Lutz-Jesco GmbH in Wedemark, and Lutz-Jesco Suisse SA in Couvet, Switzerland. The portfolio includes pumps, systems, and accessories for dosing, pumping, emptying, and mixing processes for a wide range of fluids. Lutz Group products are used in numerous sectors, including the chemical industry, food industry, automotive production, water and wastewater treatment, and the paint and coatings industry.