Friday, 28 October 2022 11:55

Electric tractor unveiled in Europe

Written by  Mark Daniel
John Deere's eAutoPowr John Deere's eAutoPowr

At a recently held sustainability day in Germany, John Deere unveiled the latest updates for its eAutoPowr, electric infinitely variable transmission, the first of its kind in the world and now available for the 8R tractor range.

The electric drive is designed to supply drive to the tractor, while also providing up to 100kW of electrical power to external implements, using two brushless, electric motors, that according to the manufacturer, are “virtually wear-free” and will last the lifetime of the machine.

Working in partnership with Belgium transport and effluent specialists Joskin, Deere has developed a system that allows up to 20% of the electric power to be redistributed to two axles on a Joskin slurry tanker. This is said to increase traction in poor ground conditions or when climbing inclines, helping to protect the land from sub-surface caused by wheel slip.

In other sustainability news, Deere is also aiming to have electric drive alternatives in every John Deere product family by 2026, with a further plan to launch a fully autonomous battery-powered electric tractor in the under- 100hp class with the same timing.

Deere has also been developing a MultiFuel concept to allow its engines to run on biofuels, traditional diesel or fuel blends. The ‘one-tank solution’, is suitable for any fuel in both pure and blended form, including farm-produced plant oils.

In operation, different fuels are recognised by sensors of the standard combustion engine and the exhaust gas after-treatment system. These deliver the data for a mathematical-physical model and for an artificial intelligence – based approach recognising the different fuel mixtures.

Based on this, the electronic engine control unit (ECU) selects the appropriate software setting for optimal engine operation, while also allowing the engine to comply with Tier 4 emission standards.

More like this

LDV unveils all-new Terron 9 Elite ute

As if there wasn’t enough choice in the New Zealand ute market, LDV New Zealand is expanding its offering, by showcasing the all-new Terron 9 Elite at Fieldays.

John Deere acquires Sentera to boost smart farming capabilities

While tractors combines and machinery for agriculture and construction is still its key business, John Deere appears to be taking opportunities in the hightech sector via acquisition, with the recent purchase of Sentera, a Minnesota-based company that specialises in equipment for capturing and interpreting aerial images.

Fendt 600 Vario Series arrives in NZ

Released in New Zealand earlier in the year, the new Fendt 600 Vario series, serving the 150-200hp category, is a compact and manoeuvrable 4-cylinder tractor with high performance and payload, at a low power-to-weight ratio.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Overbearing?

OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…

Foot-in-mouth

OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter