Glacier FarmMedia – New Holland has been teasing us with alternative-fuel concept tractors for several years.
We’ve seen the blue brand show both hydrogen- and methane-powered machines at prominent events like Agritechnica. The company has even gone so far as to establish an energy self-sufficient demonstration farm in Europe, where new machines undergo real-world testing.
Now, we’re finally seeing the results of all that R&D.
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The first market-ready alternative-fuel tractor, the T6.180 Methane Power, has just been introduced to the commercial market on this side of the Atlantic. It will be available through North American NH dealers.
“The launch is a culmination of a multi-year development project to create and bring to market a tractor lineup that furthers the use of more sustainable fuel sources in U.S. agriculture,” says the company’s press release.
“The T6.180 Methane Power is the result of New Holland’s pioneering work on the use of alternative fuels through our Clean Energy Leader strategy,” said Michael Cornman, livestock and dairy segment manager for New Holland Agriculture North America.
“It is a significant step forward on the path to decarbonizing agriculture, and it is happening now as the development of this sustainable tractor has reached its production phase. It is commercially available to our customers beginning this 2022 season.”
The T6 Methane can apparently deliver the same level of performance as its diesel equivalent. It’s rated at 180 horsepower and 740 Nm (540 pound-feet) of torque. But it has the advantage of up to a 30 per cent reduction in running costs, NH estimates. However, fuel for the T6 isn’t restricted to just methane. It can also run on biomethane or compressed natural gas (CNG).
The T6.180 uses an all-new, NEF 6.7-litre engine specifically developed for agricultural applications by FPT Industrial, NH’s sister company. As an engine builder, FPT claims more than 20 years of experience in natural gas powertrain technology development, building more than 50,000 natural gas engines so far.
And the T6 engine burns its fuel pretty thoroughly. Compared with the strict limits allowed under European Stage V emission regulations, the T6 Methane Power produces 98 per cent less particulate matter. And when running biomethane, it can provide a 10 to 15 per cent reduction in CO2.
The really good news is it does that without the need for any after-treatment systems, technologies many new engine owners love to hate. So, owners can skip the DEF.
On-board fuel tanks have 49 gallons (185 litres) of capacity and are stored in the same location as the diesel tank on a standard T6 — there are no visibility obstructions from the cab and tank access for refuelling is just as easy.
For extended periods between fills, a front-mounted range extender tank offers an additional 71-gallon capacity (268 litres) with a bolted connection to a port on the front of the tractor. For even more run time, the tractor also has fuel connection points at the rear, allowing for additional fuel storage that could be mounted on towed implements.
NH says that, as on its European concept farm, farmers can grow energy crops and use agricultural waste to generate on-farm biomethane to power their T6s, achieving near-zero CO2 emissions. Livestock and dairy farmers can take this even further by producing biomethane from manure, which subtracts CO2 from the environment, resulting in a carbon-negative footprint. For years, Germany has had more than a few farms with their own biodigesters that do exactly that.
“Farmers can also use the byproducts of biodigestion as natural fertilizers on their fields, orchards or vineyards, closing the circular economy loop,” notes the company.
The T6 Methane Power tractor made its first North American public debut at the 2022 World Ag Expo in February in Tulare, Calif.
– This article was originally published at Grainews.
