Case IH, a CNH brand, has started field tests of its ethanol-powered tractor, in partnership with Brazil’s, São Martinho, one of the largest producers of sugar, ethanol and bioenergy in the world.
The Puma 230 tractor is operating in conjunction with the Austoft 9000 series sugarcane harvester, also powered by ethanol, in Pradópolis (SP).
The initiative marks another step in the agricultural decarbonization project led by Case IH, which bets on ethanol as a strategic fuel for the future of agricultural machinery. The tractor engine, developed by FPT Industrial, is an N67 Otto Cycle, with a nominal power of 234hp, a technology similar to that used in the automotive sector, which contributes to the reduction of emissions in agriculture, in addition to generating less noise during engine operation.
“The ethanol tractor was presented during the last Agrishow and has undergone more than 100 hours of bench tests since then. Now it operates in the field alongside the harvester, which has shown very satisfactory results. The partnership with São Martinho is essential for us to validate the efficiency and reliability of these machines in real operating conditions. We are confident in the development of a complete portfolio of ethanol-powered machines”, says Leandro Conde, Marketing and Communication Director at Case IH for Latin America.
São Martinho, a historical partner of Case IH in innovation projects, sees in the initiative an opportunity to transform the carbon footprint of agriculture.
About the project
The N67 Ethanol engines, from the Puma 230 tractor, and CURSOR 13 Ethanol, from the Austoft 9000 series sugarcane harvester, were developed to meet the needs of the field, maintaining the already recognized resistance of FPT Industrial engines and adding benefits such as reduced emissions, lower noise level and use of a renewable fuel, with high productivity and availability of supply. In Latin America, FPT Industrial understands that the solution to decarbonization starts with technologies suitable for the region’s great potential in biofuels. Ethanol engine technology, developed in partnership with Case IH, reduces costs and maintains machine efficiency and availability, which are essential in TCO calculation.
After the end of the harvest period, the ethanol-powered tractor will be tested in other functions, such as soil preparation and planting, with a focus on the reliability, autonomy and durability of the equipment. The machine will also be tested in the production of corn ethanol and the expectation is that the results will contribute to the expansion of the technology to other product lines, such as grain harvesters and sprayers.
