NEW Holland is the latest manufacturer to embrace SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology for machines with engines above 75kW (100hp).
With Tier 4A emissions regulations becoming a legal requirement in 2011 for medium and heavy-duty engines above 130 kW (174hp), New Holland says it intends to be at the forefront of the industry with "ingenious solutions that make farming easier and more efficient while respecting the environment".
According to the company's global marketing and communication director Pierre Lahutte, the "solutions" have been developed in partnership with Fiat Powertrain Technologies which already has produced more than 100,000 Cursor and Nef engines that effectively use SCR technology.
Throughout this process, the technology has been continually developed and refined. This has resulted in a reduction in operating and maintenance costs, while increasing productivity and meeting emission requirements at a competitive price.
SCR is an after-treatment system that's separate from the main engine function and does not compromise horsepower or torque.
It does not interfere with engine performance, but actually improves it. The SCR system uses a catalyst that treats the nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas with an odorless mixture of chemical urea and purified water (commercially available as AdBlue), transforming them into harmless water and nitrogen.
The system is easy to use and simply requires the operator to fill the additive tank.
The additive already is being used on Massey Ferguson's new MF8600 tractor, with AGCO foreshadowing most of its new machines will be equipped with SCR engines from now on.
"SCR will be further developed to guarantee our customers the most reliable, cost-effective and state-of-the-art products, when future, ever more stringent emission regulations are introduced for the agricultural industry," Mr Lahutte said.
"By using SCR technology, starting in 2011, New Holland has invested in research and development now that will be invaluable in helping us to achieve final Tier 4B requirements.
"Having compliant technology now allows us to keep our research investments focused on developing the next generation of agricultural machinery that will redefine the efficiency, comfort and performance that farmers demand."
SCR engines use a urea solution referred to as AdBlue. The tractor has a separate AdBlue tank and injection system with a low pressure pump that injects the solution into the exhaust.
It can be used with all commercially available diesel fuels.
New Holland also has been pioneering the use of biodiesel in agricultural machinery (since 2006) and is currently researching the most advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Investment a
lot of wind
JOHN Deere is reviewing options for the company's wind energy business, including a possible sale.
Deere has been involved in the financing, development and ownership of wind energy projects for the past five years, investing $US1 billion into the business.
It has 34 wind energy projects in seven states with operational capacity of 706 megawatts. It also has numerous wind energy projects in development.
According to the American Wind Energy Association, one megawatt of wind can power 225-300 households a year.
Wind now rivals natural gas as the leading source of new electric generation in the US, generating about two per cent of Americans' electricity.
But the government stimulus money that helped expand capacity last year is running out. Even though many states have adopted standards requiring certain amounts of electricity to come from renewable sources, Congress has yet to adopt a nationwide standard.
Wind backers have said the lack of a such a standard is keeping wind from reaching its potential and providing stability for manufacturers to expand their US operations.
Yes indeed. Time for a review.
Russia fires up
NORTH America's peak farm mechanisation body, the Association of equipment Manufacturers (AEM), has released the first published data on Russian exports of tractors and combine harvesters.
AEM and its Russian equivalent, the Russian Agricultural-Industrial Machine-Building Corporation (Rosagromash) have agreed to swap information on machinery sales each month.
In its first report, Rosagromash reported a sharp increase in tractors and combine harvesters in January 2010 compared against the same period last year.
The reason is because last year, many Russian companies had shut down operations with some leaving the doors closed until March 2009.
So here are the January 10 Russian shipments (exports):
It sold a total of 211 2WD tractors and 18 4WD along with 131 combine harvesters.
The highest number of tractors shipped in a power segment was 120 with power ratings between 30-75kW(40-100hp).
It didn't nominate which countries snapped up the tractors and headers nor did it try to explain to westerners why it abbreviates its name top Rosagromash.
Go figure.
Things just get better
ONCE again the technocrats have come to the rescue of ag's skilled labour shortage.
Yes you will feel secure knowing you're $700,000 or $800,000 investment is in secure (unskilled) hands with a Electronic Machine Optimisation System (CEMOS) in your header.
Of course, you have to own a CLAAS header to get the fruit.
Basically it's a monitoring system, which enables operators to quickly and easily fine tune their harvester with CEMOS evaluating 50 different operating settings that manage 11 key parts of the harvesting process.
It then recommends the best settings and provides step-by-step instructions to the driver via the combine's control terminal.
Landpower Australia product manager, Steve Reeves, describes CEBOS as akin to having an on-board technician.
"This system helps all operators, even the most experienced, to get the most out of their combine harvesters at all times," he said.
"The whole process occurs in real time, allowing the driver to manage the settings through the day as crop and weather conditions change."
Field trials have shown the new system can significantly increase harvesting efficiency and productivity.
CLAAS says its trials have shown CEBOS can increase harvesting output by an average of five per cent and as high as 20pc without affecting harvest quality.
"We are now at the stage where machines really can't get any bigger because of transport issues, so now the focus is on efficiency," Steve said.
Can't wait for the robots.
Email a friend