European tractor registrations down
A total of 108,800 tractors were registered across Europe in the first six months of 2022, with 31,900 tractors of 37kW (50 hp) and under and 76,900 of 38kW and above.
While the modern farm tractor runs almost exclusively on a diet of diesel, over the years we have seen derivatives running on bio-diesel and one unit out of Germany that ran on pure rapeseed oil (Canola).
The first blue New Holland tractor showing the ‘gas’ engine was based on a T6.140 model with a modified chassis to cradle a 3L, 4-cyl F1C engine, more commonly found in Fiat vans and trucks.
The unit also had a new drop box to reduce engine speed from 3500 to 2200rpm and nine methane storage tanks giving 300L capacity or around 52kg of compressed gas. The rear end of the tractor was standard T6, and outputs were similar to diesel at 136hp and 350Nm torque.
First results were a tractor with much lower running costs and smooth, quiet operation; the negatives were a mere half-day running time and the wariness of operators about sitting next to nine gas cylinders pressurised to 200 bar.
Fast forward to today and the concept of a more ‘regular’ tractor: the second evolution takes a New Holland T6.175 unit fitted with a 6L FPT engine. This ‘structural’ model has no need for a modified chassis of the modified drop box to reduce engine speed. Output is around 179hp and torque 740Nm, comparable if not better than the diesel powered norm.
The tractor’s range is still a negative: about half a day. Development will centre on larger gas storage tanks, perhaps around the front ballast or even carried on implements, and volume matched to suit the job in hand. – Mark Daniel
A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.
Free workshops focused on managing risk in sharefarming got underway last week.
Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.
Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.
WoolWorks, New Zealand’s largest wool-scouring company, has partnered with the Lions Club of Riverton to help raise money for much-needed repairs to the Southland town’s swimming pool.
OPINION: The dairy industry will be a major beneficiary of a new free trade deal between NZ and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC).
OPINION: Was the ASB Economic Weekly throwing shade on Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr when reporting on his speech in…
OPINION: A reader recently had a shot at the various armchair critics that she judged to be more than a…