Even greater focus on efficiency

The advantages of the T6 Methane Power tractor series are not limited to its CO₂-neutral powertrain. New Holland’s CNG tractor also helps close material cycles, and it reduces operating costs, too. This is an important step on the road to energy-independent farms with great potential for the future.

The New Holland T6 Methane Power operates almost CO₂-neutral thanks to biogas in the tank and is now also offered with Dynamic-Command dual-clutch technology. Source: New Holland

New Holland Agriculture is looking to further accelerate the decarbonisation of agriculture. Having actively promoted the use of fuels from renewable sources and sustainable agricultural technologies for over a decade, the company is now working to bring about developments in this direction itself. This is why the multiple-award-winning T6 Methane Power tractor series now also features a Dynamic Command transmission.

The compact CNG tractor with a gross vehicle weight of 10.5 tonnes combines the power of the newly developed six-cylinder CNG engine with an exclusive 24×24 Dynamic Command transmission – developed in-house by New Holland. Almost CO₂-neutral thanks to running on biogas, the tractor now sets standards in terms of efficiency, as well enabling savings on operating costs of up to 50%. The new dual-clutch technology is designed for fast gear changes, and in combination with the fully automated transmission ensures that the ideal gear ratio is always selected. The result: maximum efficiency combined with maximum driving comfort. Automatic functions such as the exclusive Ground Speed Management II transmission control also enable the driver to maintain a consistently high level of productivity throughout the entire working day.

The world’s first mass-produced CNG tractor, New Holland’s T6 Methane Power, has also already won the prestigious Sustainable TOTY 2022. Source: New Holland

But New Holland has long been developing other ways to promote the establishment of energy-independent farms. This is why the brand is now also collaborating with the British start-up Bennamann, for example, which specialises in processes for the extraction, processing and storage of methane. The aim is to tap into the benefits of the circular economy for customers and launch something of a clean energy revolution at the local level. After all, livestock farms usually produce biogas in abundance: if processed correctly, this can be used as a clean fuel for highly efficient internal combustion engines. The Bennamann solution extracts, processes, refines and stores biomethane from slurry and makes it immediately available as an energy source on the farm. This not only reduces any environmental impact, it also helps reduce or stabilise running costs. It even opens up a valuable additional source of income for some businesses.

Whether it’s a tractor or a car powered by CNG, in Thayngen in Schaffhausen you can fill up with biogas directly from the farm. Source: CNG-Mobility.ch

In Switzerland, for example, the Wyss family in Ittigen (BE) already produces its own energy. This versatile farm with a giant biogas plant also supplies fermentation material to other biogas plants in Switzerland using a Scania powered by CNG, thereby closing further material cycles thanks to its virtually CO₂-neutral transport. And the Müller family in Thayngen SH even operate run a filling station for biogas which is produced from slurry, manure and organic waste directly on the farm. Swiss farmers are at the forefront when it comes to ideas for decarbonising agriculture.

“The path to CO₂-neutral agriculture determines our targets for reducing CO₂ emissions through the use of alternative fuels in agriculture, as well setting the goals in terms of our research into sustainable agriculture,” said Mark Howell, Global Product Manager for Alternative Fuels at New Holland. “Since the introduction of our Clean Energy Leader strategy, we’ve made steady progress and are now able to offer farmers the benefits of a circular economy and energy autonomy.” (pd/jas, 15 November 2022)

Source: Agrama

T6 Methane Power at the Agrama in Bern, too

Anyone wanting to find out about the New Holland T6 Methane Power should be sure not to miss the Agrama in Bern from 24 to 28 November 2022: the CNG tractor will of course be on display at Switzerland’s largest trade fair for agricultural and forestry technology. As a general importer of New Holland tractors and harvesters, the New Holland Center Switzerland will be exhibiting in Hall 3.0, Stand B05 under the slogan “The future is blue. It belongs to you”, in particular featuring the 179 hp and 740 Nm CNG tractor, which makes it possible to close material cycles. agrama.ch