Back to news list AGROTRON NATURALPOWER A WORLD FIRST: THE VEGETABLE OIL POWERED DEUTZ-FAHR AGROTRON NATURALPOWER Hanover, 11 November 2007
Over a year ago SAME DEUTZ-FAHR approved the use of pure biodiesel (EN 14214) in Agrotron models of 120 HP and above (powered by 2012 and 2013 series engines). Now, for the launch of Agritechnica 2007, SAME DEUTZ-FAHR is going one step further. In collaboration with DEUTZ AG, the company has developed the world’s first tractor homologated in conformity to DIN V 51605 standard to run on 100% crude rape seed oil. This exciting new development demonstrates SAME DEUTZ-FAHR’s determination to promote the use of renewable energy sources, to make a major contribution to reducing toxic emissions, and to safeguarding our climate and environment.

The Agrotron NaturalPower is based on the new Agrotron M Series (131-184 HP) and features a patented DEUTZ Fuel Management® system comprising an engine regulator with integrated fuel control, and a two tank feed system designed to operate reliably with vegetable oil fuels. These engines meet TIER III emission limits even when run on crude rape seed oil.

SAME DEUTZ-FAHR is fully committed to the development of technical solutions to allow farm tractors to run on vegetable oil fuels. Irrespective of the number of tractors destined for production and possible technological developments, SAME DEUTZ-FAHR maintains its position as a manufacturer actively involved in this sector, meeting all the challenges arising on the market.

Back in 2001, Deutz-Fahr successfully took part in a project to supply 100 bio-fuelled tractors, promoted by the German government. This allowed the company to gain experience in the field of effective alternative fuels. In parallel with a growing interest in alternative fuels among the farming community, this experience formed the basis of future and more extensive developments in the direction of vegetable oil fuels. The fact that bio-fuel production has risen dramatically in recent years emphasises the importance of this project. In the near future, farmers will have to seek their competitive edge in reduced dependency on petroleum based fuels, oil company pricing policies, and the rising cost of crude on the world market. Thanks to these latest developments, farmers could, in theory, already be producing their own fuel.
Technical characteristics
The main feature of the Agrotron NaturalPower is the presence of two fuel tanks: one for diesel and the other for vegetable oil fuel. A supplementary tank is used for diesel fuel, while the main, larger tank holds the vegetable oil. Given the different viscosities and physical characteristics of the two fuels, it is not yet possible to run engines on vegetable oil at all times. For cold starting, short runs, and in operations involving extended idle periods, conventional diesel fuel is used instead of vegetable oil. Since the use of vegetable oil also affects engine performance, the fuel injection system has also had to be redesigned to suit.

SAME DEUTZ-FAHR naturally takes the following points into account when promoting vegetable oil fuels, and above all guarantees:

• that the technical characteristics of the engine and fuel injection system are suited to the use of vegetable oil
• the duration and reliability of the engine and its ancillaries
• that the engine can be used in all types of operating and load conditions
• respect for current legislation on exhaust emissions
• the manufacturer’s warranty In the case of SAME DEUTZ-FAHR warranty lasting 24 months (or 2000 hours of operation)
• support of the DEUTZ-FAHR dealer network for technical assistance and spare part supply

Undeniable benefits
The use of vegetable oil brings clear cost benefits. Oil seed presses can easily be operated jointly between a number of small farmers. The SAME DEUTZ-FAHR system also gives additional benefits. For a start SAME DEUTZ-FAHR offers all the security of a reliable manufacturer’s warranty and an extensive network of service centres. On top of this farmers and contractors alike can work in the knowledge that they are actively contributing to the protection of climate and environment. DEUTZ-FAHR is the only tractor manufacturer in the world to approve the use of biodiesel (B100) and to offer the option of running on pure rape seed oil.

Information on SDF:

SAME DEUTZ-FAHR (SDF), headquartered at Treviglio, near Bergamo in Italy, is among the world’s leading makers of tractors, combines, farm machinery and engines. The company’s products are marketed globally under four historic brands: SAME, Lamborghini, DEUTZ-FAHR and Hürlimann. The range of tractors covers a power band from 30 to 270 hp and the range of combines from 120 to 360 hp .
SDF employs some 3000 people worldwide. In 2006, the group declared sales worth 1,037 billion euros, and a net profit of 40.2 million euros.
SDF currently owns 40.81% of DEUTZ AG shares, one of the main international manufacturers of diesel and gas engines, floated on the Frankfurt stock exchange.


For more information:

Christine Pfeifer
Press office, SAME DEUTZ-FAHR Tel 0039 0363 421762
E-mail: christine.pfeifer@sdfgroup.com




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