increase font size
Kubota has announced that its new tractors are suited to running on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).
While we have become accustomed to vehicle manufacturers offering alternative fuel sources for its ranges, other than New Holland with its commercially available T6 Methane tractors, the agricultural landscape is firmly fixated on diesel power.
With the realisation that current battery technology does not lend itself to agricultural situations, tractor manufacturers have looked a little more closely at alternative fuels to power their compression ignition (CI) engines. Kubota is the latest to announce that its new tractors are suited to running on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).
The company has also confirmed that it is possible for its new dieselengine tractors to run on both HVO and GTL (gas to liquid) which will contribute to a lower carbon footprint for Kubota IC engines.
As a manufacturer of industrial engines, tractors, grounds care and construction equipment, Kubota has realised that HVO, which is synthesised from vegetable oil and fat, is likely to become increasingly popular due to its environmental benefits. GTL meanwhile is synthesised from natural gas, therefore its contribution to reducing total carbon emissions is somewhat reduced.
Having undergone extensive trials to evaluate any effect on the performance and achieving a clean bill of health, Kubota has confirmed that that any paraffinic fuel that complies with the European standard EN15940 is suitable for use across its range of diesel engines. The company also notes that there is no need to flush fuel tanks or change filters, as HVO and GTL, meeting the EU standard, are safe to mix with common diesel.
There are changes to existing maintenance intervals or warranty conditions when using these fuels, although operators may notice a slight degradation in engine performance when using them due to the lower energy density of paraffinic fuels, compared to diesel.
While it wouldn’t be unfair to call the LDV T60 “the poor man’s ute”, a change of distributor in 2023 has seen the brand raise its profile, while the recent arrival of the new LDV T60 Max Plus, will undoubtedly open the door to a wider audience for the brand.
Ag and Civil Machinery Direct, a division of Hamilton- based Waikato tractors, has recently been awarded the sole distribution in New Zealand for Kemper’s range of precision forage equipment.
While the name and technology remain unchanged and new machines will continue to carry the Novag name, all the assets, intellectual property and staff of the French manufacturer have been acquired by a new organisation called Agriculture Nouvelle Génération.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
Having already hit the headlines for recycling broken 2.4 metre vineyard posts into 1.8 and 1.6 metre, half and quarter posts for agriculture, Repost recently hit the milestone of one million posts recycled, diverting the CCA treated posts from landfill.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.
OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.
