Tractor with 400 hp
Is John Deere starting an electrical revolution?
Machine manufacturer John Deere launched its first 2016% electrically powered tractor in 100: 'Sesame. The huge battery pack is its biggest flaw. After 3 hours of driving, you need to charge for 4 hours. This spring, the manufacturer is launching a new model, which takes a completely different approach.
The manufacturers of cars, trucks, buses and tractors all agree: diesel engines don't last forever. For the old, polluting engines, this already starts in the big cities. Deadlines are now being mentioned that vary from 2025 to 2040. The electric motor is also making its way into machine sectors, mining and earthmoving. The manufacturers here are often much further along with their development.
battery pack
John Deere launched Sesame in 2016; a standard tractor equipped with a 130 kW (177 hp) battery pack. The special thing is that this battery fits within the standard dimensions of the vehicle. "With current battery technology, this battery lasts about 4 hours", product engineer Philipp Lehmann explains to OEM Off Highway† "You then charge it in 3 hours, which leads to problems in practice."
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At the Sima, John Deere launched their first (prototype) 100% electric tractor.
In order to be able to work long working days, a connection to the electricity grid is required. The required electricity is generated by solar or wind energy or a biogas installation. These are all 'clean' energy sources that can be easily integrated into agriculture. The search for such a vehicle started in 2014 and the first field tests were carried out in 2017. At the beginning of 2018, the team will present its first findings, which are unconventional to say the least.
Drag hose system
John Deere's photos show a prototype that wasn't built in Photoshop. It is an unmanned tractor with a cable system in the front linkage that can be compared to a drag hose injector. The tractor is always kept on a leash, in order to supply it with power. This is necessary, because the maximum power is no less than 300 kW; converted a thick 400 hp. 200 kW (270 hp) of this is available to power implements. The rest is needed for traction.
"We stripped all unnecessary parts from the vehicle," says project leader Lehmann. "It concerns the cabin and diesel engine, and therefore all necessary parts such as the fuel tank. The driven front axle has also disappeared. What remains are the rear axle, hydraulics, PTO and a three-point hitch. In addition, there are 2 electric motors. One for traction and 1 for the hydraulics and PTO. The electric tractor has a specially developed gearbox."
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A reel system ensures that the vehicle is continuously connected to the mains.
tractor fleet
In the future, Lehmann sees opportunities for a fleet of tractors that work together on the land, in order to achieve sufficient capacity. However, the 'swarm concept' has yet to prove itself. An advantage is that the stripped-down electric deer is in theory cheaper than a conventional tractor. At the moment, the required sensors are relatively expensive. If John Deere buys it in bulk, then the costs go down.
According to one of the developers, Nicolai Tarasinski, the success of a swarm concept depends on the allotment; not company size. "Plot size and uniformity of the soil are very important. Plots that are irrigated are often homogeneous, equal in size, flat and straight in shape. In the desert there are good opportunities when you can irrigate. Nearby solar panels provide the necessary power. "
Opportunities for the Netherlands
The desert is nice, but the Netherlands and similar polder areas might be an even better testing environment for John Deere. After all, water is becoming a bigger problem. In an area like Flevoland, the allotment is ideal for such a system. A disadvantage, for manufacturers, is the fact that the Netherlands is relatively densely populated. Missing legislation means that companies are somewhat hesitant to deploy autonomous vehicles on a large scale.
In the photos, John Deere shows a working prototype, not an artist impression, it seems.Photos: John Deere
Niels van der Boom
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