New tractor design is full of s**t!

New tractor design is full of s**t!


New Holland

The New Holland Agriculture T7 Methane Power Liquefied Natural Gas prototype tractor

That’s what powers it! The New Holland Agriculture T7 Methane Power Liquefied Natural Gas prototype tractor can be fuelled with liquefied biomethane that can be extracted from livestock manure and slurry. The company showed off a prototype of the new tractor at its CNH Industrial Tech Day event in Phoenix, Arizona. The event was intended to provide the opportunity for interested parties to discover more about the company’s upcoming projects, including those concerning sustainable agriculture - in particular alternative fuel and electrification technologies.

The LNG tractor prototype that was unveiled at the event is a high horsepower machine, which combines performance with lower emissions and operating costs. Liquefied methane provides as much as four times more fuel storage capacity as compressed gas (CNG), increasing the tractor’s range, even if it is performing power intensive applications. The 270hp model T7 Methane Power LNG can provide the same power and torque as an equivalent diesel tractor.

Carlo Lambro, Brand President New Holland Agriculture said: “This prototype shows that our commitment to sustainability is here to stay. We believe the best solution currently available on the market to lower emissions and costs is natural gas – especially biomethane. Farmers still need powerful tractors, this is why we are offering all the benefits of this solution to our customers on our high horsepower tractors above 200 hp. We also know that autonomy is very important for our customers: we have already improved it in our existing T6 Methane Power tractor, and we have further extended it with the new T7 Methane Power LNG.”

The T7 Methane Power LNG has an active temperature-controlled fuel system, incorporating a stainless-steel cryogenic tank, effectively storing liquified methane on board the tractor. The system has a self-supporting vacuum space that insulates the fuel and reduces the tank’s thickness. Once out in the field, the tanks’ active temperature control ensures that the engine runs smoothly. The tractor can be powered by liquefied biomethane sourced from livestock manure and slurry, making it even more sustainable.

This solution integrates with the approach proposed by New Holland partner Bennamann, a UK-based start-up. The company focuses on innovating on the collection, processing and storage of methane while contributing to the circular economy. The approach reduces the carbon footprint of an average dairy farm, while also cutting the use of CO2 intensive chemical fertilizers. It replaces fossil fuel use in tractors, electricity generation and heat provision, and also provides new opportunities and revenue streams. These benefits include: fuel production at a stable cost; sale of excess biomethane on the open market; generation of 100% natural fertilizer; and conversion of excess methane into electricity for export to a grid or local use. The opportunity for electricity generation is key – this can be used to run electric vehicles as well as powering the farm.

 


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