NEWS ROUND-UP ▶▶▶
New Holland’s methane-fuelled tractor cuts emissions by 80%
T
US BY PETER HILL
he unveiling of a second methane gas-fuelled tractor at the Farm Progress Show in the US underscored New Holland’s enthusiasm for finding
alternatives to diesel and gave some clues on its future design direction. A key element of the concept tractor is an
FPT six-cylinder engine claimed to feature “ground-breaking efficient combustion technology” that develops the same power and torque as its diesel-fuelled counterpart for 30% of its running costs. It is also significantly quieter – down by about 50% in terms of drive-by noise. Emissions during field tests showed 10% less carbon
‘Chemigation’ system uses water and pesticides efficiently
WORLD Widespread uptake of “Chemigation” technology is a step closer following the launch of the DripByDrip watering and pesticides application system for fruit and vegetable cropping. The drip-irrigation system feeds crops and helps with disease control and is the result of a tie-up between irrigation specialist Netafim and agrochemicals giant Bayer CropScience. Netafim CEO Ran Maidan said its technology has been used over many years for precise and timely delivery of water and nutrients, improving yields while saving water. “Through our new partnership with Bayer,
[we] can also deliver crop protection products in a more targeted way, to reduce the input… and use them in a more effective and safe way.” Proof-of-concept trials have shown a 150% yield increase in Brazilian sugar cane from the drip irrigation of water, fertilisers and crop protection products. Currently, the DripByDrip system focuses on
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fruit and vegetables in arid and semi-arid regions, with a launch in Mexico planned before the end of the year. Thereafter, there are plans to extend the system into more countries, crops, pests and diseases.
Fendt to unveil market-ready ‘swarm’ robots
EUROPE A co-ordinated “swarm” of up to a dozen mini corn-planting robots is proposed by tractor maker Fendt as a key ingredient of future crop management precision. The firm is a partner in a recently completed
study into swarm robotics and plans to unveil a commercial-ready vehicle at November’s Agritechnica show in Hanover.
▶ FUTURE FARMING | 9 November 2017
dioxide, with total emissions down by 80%. Fuel it with biomethane produced by digesting crop residues and farm-grown energy crops – as New Holland envisages in its Energy Independent Farm concept – and carbon dioxide emissions are virtually zero. The research tractor is based on a New
Holland T6 and produces up to 180hp and 740Nm of torque – the same as the diesel- fuelled equivalent. It also displays futuristic styling and cab
engineering, with neatly integrated gas storage being part of the swept wrap-around style and large panes of glass bonded to the cab pillars, as on modern cars. A “floating” roof installation maximises
visibility horizontally and upwards to a loader. Carlo Lambro, New Holland agriculture brand
president, said: “The new methane-powered concept tractor is the latest development in New Holland’s pursuit of sustainable and efficient technology through innovation. “Its ground-breaking engine delivers the same performance and has the same durability as its standard equivalent, but with much lower running costs.” The CNH Industrial business unit has pursued its Clean Energy Leader strategy for more than a decade. It was the first manufacturer to offer 100% compatibility with biodiesel in 2006, producing a hydrogen-fuelled tractor in 2009 and creating a propane-fuelled tractor in 2012 that continues to be developed with the Propane Education and Research Council.
Fendt’s Xaver system comprises six to 12 co-
ordinated robots and a Cloud platform to plan, monitor and accurately document the planting process. At the planning stage, the optimal path for each unit and the time required is worked out; and if one robot breaks down, the work programme for the others will automatically be altered to compensate. Satellite navigation and cloud data management allow operations to be conducted around the clock. Fendt engineers suggest accurate recording of the planting time and exact position of each seed makes it feasible to develop individual plant treatment techniques in future. The company plans to supply trial systems
to growers who successfully meet criteria that ensures they make good use of the kit.
DESIGN PICS INCREX/SHUTTERSTOCK
AGCO
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