Farm-produced gas powers latest tractor technology

New Holland has presented a possible future for sustainable farming with its methane-powered concept tractor at the Farm Progress Show in the US this week.

The concept follows on from New Holland’s other work with alternative fuels. It offered 100% compatibility with biodiesel in 2006 and developed a hydrogen-powered tractor concept in 2009.

This machine is said to reduce running costs by 30%. Its six-cylinder methane engine delivers 180hp and 740Nm, which is the same power and torque as its standard diesel equivalent. New Holland said in real field conditions the methane-powered concept tractor produced at least 10% lower CO2 emissions and reduced overall emissions by 8% compared with a diesel tractor.

Its environmental performance further improves when fuelled by bio-methane produced from crop residues and waste from farm-grown energy crops, which results in virtually zero CO2 emissions. The methane is produced on-farm by a bio-digester, which is fed with specifically grown energy crops, animal waste, and food waste or crop residues.

It can use waste collected from food factories, supermarkets and restaurants in addition to the materials gathered at the farm.

The biogas produced in the bio-digester is transferred to a refining station where it is transformed into fuel-grade methane to power the farm’s vehicles and machinery.

The methane can also be used to fuel a generator to produce electricity that can be used on the farm with any extra fed into the electricity grid.

The byproducts of bio digestion can be used as natural fertilisers. To clearly identify the tractor, New Holland has given the design a radical, futuristic overhaul, with a sloping bonnet and panoramic view from the cab.