Farmers have become weight watchers

Farmers are increasingly concerned with their weight. The weight of their tractors and machines that is. This is especially important for arable farmers. One of the solutions proposed is to purchase lighter tractors. Does that have an effect? And are they lighter?

Many arable farmers and contractors I visit have a new tractor in the barn. It is often a four-cylinder model and often also has a power of 150 hp or more. Because the idea that you need a six-cylinder for heavy pulling and PTO work is now outdated. Six cylinders are heavy, expensive and consume a lot of fuel. Overall, that is the average mindset in 2017.

Room for emission technology
Agricultural tractors with a four-cylinder engine are a high-quality piece of technology from tractor builders. Today they manage to squeeze 200 horsepower from a relatively small engine block. That was only half 10 years ago. The manufacturers have good reasons for this. A smaller engine can work more economically and takes up less space under the hood. The latter is an important requirement, because a lot of space is needed for catalytic converters, particulate filters and cooling packages. These are necessary to meet the latest emission requirements.

What is light?
In short, tractor owners have a little brother dead with this technology. It increases costs, tractors generally do not consume less, you have extra costs due to Adblue and the technology is plagued by many malfunctions. What the farmer cares about is weight. But, is that also the reality? I took the test. In doing so, we must first ask: what is light? Everyone has their own idea about that.

The heaviest four-cylinder tractor currently available is built by Massey Ferguson. The 6718S Dyna-VT. He is in the brochure with 6.300 kilos. Is that light? I do not think so. At least, 10 years ago, that same power cost you a 7.500 kilo tractor from the Beauvais builder. I hear you say: 'The weight in the folder makes no sense.' Completely correct, just as little as the power that is mentioned. Cheating numbers, that's how we can describe them. Put your tractor on the weighbridge and compare it with the brochure. Wide tires, built-up GPS, front linkage and so on. A difference of 1.500 kilos is just there. That light four-cylinder is getting heavier and heavier.

Power-to-weight ratio
Back to farmers who pay attention to the weight and buy a four-cylinder that you no longer have for one ton. That feels good, but is it really so? Who 5 years ago wanted to buy Massey Ferguson's heaviest four-cylinder, ended up with the 6470. It delivers 145 hp (manufacturer's specification). If we divide that by the weight from the brochure, you arrive at a power-to-weight ratio of 31,8 kilos per horsepower. With the 6718S that is 31,5 kilos per horsepower. So hardly any difference. Good news, but in the head is counted with the weight of the old and the power of the new. If you want more power, then more weight is involved.

The weight per horsepower differs per manufacturer and series. Let's do some math with Valtra. That brand is known for its strong four-cylinder. According to the manufacturer, with the current N174 Direct you arrive at 34 kilos per horsepower. For the few years old N143 that is 31,5 kilos per horsepower. Valtra, which builds on the same platform as MF, also arrives at 6.300 kilos of brochure weight with the N174. John Deere and Fendt are just above that with 6.400 kilos. New Holland and Case IH are optimistic in their sales brochures at 5.800 kilos. How realistic is that? It can be guessed.

10 years ago
Tractors of 6 tons, that's not what I call light. It feels good between the ears, but not in the bottom. Look at numbers from 10 years ago. Then you bought a six-cylinder 185 hp from Valtra that weighed 5.950 kilos. 350 kilos less than the current compact N174! You can also see similar differences with Fendt and John Deere. The next time you see your neighbor driving a 10-year-old six-cylinder, consider that your brand-new four-cylinder may be heavier. Weigh on the weighbridge, not in the folder. Is high weight inevitable? Then invest in the right footwear! The soil will thank you.

Niels van der Boom

Niels van der Boom is a senior market specialist for arable crops at DCA Market Intelligence. He mainly makes analyses and market updates about the potato market. In columns he shares his sharp view on the arable sector and technology.

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