By Almot Maqolo
HARARE -Many agricultural vehicle makers are going electric because the charging capability, affordability and other factors are rapidly falling into place just as they are for road vehicles.
But, the popularity of electric vehicles is not limited to roads or driveways only as there has been a sharp increase in the demand for electric vehicles in various industries.
The advent of electric vehicles has been reshaping the farming industry. As electric vehicles are becoming more accessible to farmers around the world, farmers are making the most of the new resources available to them.
Farmers can significantly reduce their reliance on diesel by reducing operational costs. This comes as diesel-generated vehicles are expensive and subject to an unpredictable supply of diesel, as well as being environmentally unsustainable.
Farmers can use these added features to transport important commodities across the farm without using excessive power.
As a way of adoption, John Deere has made updates to its 8 and 9 Series Tractors for model year 2023 by adding new technology and power. For the largest models of 8 Series Tractors, John Deere is offering a new stepless Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) that enables precise speed control and enhanced drivability. For 9 Series Tractors, the largest models will be powered by the new JD14X (13.6L) diesel engine.
For customers who prefer stepless transmissions for infinite speed control and ease of drivability, the new EVT will be available for all 410-horsepower 8 Series Tractors including 8R, 8RT and 8RX models.
“An EVT has electric motors in place of the hydrostatic motors that improve transmission performance, reliability, and increased efficiency,” said John Deer marketing manager Ryan Jardon in a statement.
“The EVT brings everything customers appreciate from an Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT), into higher horsepower 8 Series Tractors. Inherently, the electrical components of an EVT are extremely reliable, offer tremendous longevity, and provide better overall tractor control, along with a system builtfor easy serviceability and diagnostics. In addition, customers will notice an EVT operates more quietly than an IVT.”
As farmers look to the future, the EVT will likely be the transmission of choice for customers going forward according to Jardon.
“In the future, EVT-equipped 8 Series Tractors, will optionally feature electric power generation capable of offboarding electricity to power implements,” Jardon said.
“This EVT is the industry’s only transmission that enables electric power generation (up to 100kW). By using this electricity farmers could power implement fan drives, take the place of implement hydraulic pumps, or assist the tractor by powering the implement’s axles. This is
similar to proven-technology John Deere currently uses, on construction equipment.”
Agricultural implements with powered axles are already successfully used in Europe to help push the tractor from behind while working in the field.
“EVT technology offboards electricity from the tractor to provide added power to the implement and can reduce wheel slip, improve up-hill performance, and enables the tractor to pull wide implements without the need for extra ballast or a larger tractor,” Jardon said.
For MY 23, John Deere 9R 640 and 9RX 640 Tractors will now also be powered by the all-new,
completely redesigned JD14X diesel engine producing 640-rated horsepower. MY 22 390- to 590- horsepower 9 Series Tractors also use this engine across the entire lineup of 9 Series Tractors, including the 640-horsepower models. Based on internal testing, the JD14X engine in 9R 640 and 9RX 640 Tractors uses 7% less fuel than previous models.
“These new engines were built for outstanding performance, greater reliability and we have made them easier to access and service,” Jardon said.
“The engine features a 500-hour oil change interval, hydraulic fan drive, and a high-pressure common rail fuel delivery system for increased fuel atomization, efficiency and power, along with faster start times. Customers told us they appreciate the lugging capabilities the new engine has brought to their 9 Series Tractors.”
Deere & Company is a world leader in providing advanced products, technology and services for customers whose work is revolutionizing agriculture and construction – those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world’s increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure.
