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Electric Drive Systems
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Written by Franklin C. Frye   
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
20 technologies changing agriculture
SOMEDAY FARMERS will see tractors, sprayers and other farm vehicles generate electric power to run auxiliaries and attachments. This move will occur as farm vehicles become larger and more complex. It takes extra engine power to operate all these extra features.

Electrification should start appearing after Tier 4 engines are fully developed and introduced. Equipment manufacturers have invested large portions of research and development budgets to meet the stringent EPA emissions guidelines. That money will open up in a few years.

A few manufacturers already have completed work on electrification. AGCO displayed a concept electric drive package on a RoGator last year at a farm show. The 311-hp vehicle was equipped with a 650v electric generator that sent power to electric wheel motors.

AGCO reports the prototype RoGator produces 30% more power to the ground and a 20% savings in fuel with the electric generator and motors. Disadvantages include extra weight from the generator and motors along with cost of the components.

At a European farm show in 2007, John Deere showed a prototype tractor that produced electricity. The 7530 E-Premium featured a crankshaft-driven electric generator, which replaced the standard alternator. The generator was attached to the engine flywheel to produce 20 kW of electricity. A few of the features operated with electricity were air conditioning, engine cooling and air brakes.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 December 2011 )