New Holland Agriculture is driving forward its Clean Energy Leader strategy, consolidating its leadership in alternative fuels and extending its scope with innovative solutions in the speciality tractor sector.
“We have pioneered sustainable, innovative solutions for some 14 years,” New Holland brand president Carlo Lambro said. “We developed the Energy-Independent Farm model, showing how a closed-loop between agricultural production and energy generation can make farming CO2-neutral, or even carbon negative – with significant benefits for our customers. This year we’re taking a further step into turning this into a reality, as our methane-powered tractor enters the New Holland range.”
The first production unit of the T6 Methane Power tractor, a cornerstone of New Holland’s Energy Independent Farm concept, was presented at Agritechnica 2019 and now targets full commercial availability in 2021. Field trials are in the final stages, and by the first half of this year production units will be delivered to selected customers in Germany, France, Italy, the UK and the Benelux – all key markets for the T6 tractor where biogas production is advanced.
The Methane-powered tractor will enter the New Holland range by the end of the year, and be available to all customers in Europe and other markets across the world. This development will further consolidate New Holland’s competitive edge in alternative fuels solutions.
The manufacturer continues to extend its scope to explore new areas of innovation through partnerships. The first one is with Italian Barolo wine producer Fontanafredda, in a project that aims to achieve carbon-free vineyard operations. New Holland and FPT Industrial are testing in its vineyards a new bio-methane tractor derived from a standard New Holland TK model. It’s powered by the new FPT Industrial F28 engine, crowned Diesel of the Year in 2020.
The tractor tested in the Fontanafredda vineyards is powered by bio-methane, with the aim of accomplishing the first CO2-free wine production – an important step towards the decarbonisation of the grape-growing chain.
In another partnership, New Holland has developed with Italian implements producer Nobili an innovative concept for the electrification of implements for vineyards and orchards.and e-Mulcher implements. This groundbreaking innovation was recognised with the Technical Innovation Award at EIMA International 2020/21.
