“The T6.180 Methane Power is the result of New Holland’s pioneering work on the use of alternative fuels through our Clean Energy Leader strategy. It is a significant step forward on the path to decarbonizing agriculture, and it is happening now, as the development of this sustainable tractor has reached its production phase. It is commercially available to our customers beginning this 2022 season,”

commented Michael Cornman, Livestock and Dairy Segment Manager for New Holland Agriculture North America.

The same performance as diesel with up to 30% lower running costs

The T6 Methane Power delivers the performance of its diesel equivalent –the same power at 180 hp, torque at 740 Nm, and durability –with the added advantage of up to 30% reduction in running costs. It also offers operators fuel flexibility and can run on either biomethane or compressed natural gas (CNG).

Compared to emission limits allowed under European Stage V emission regulations, the T6 Methane Power produces 98% less particulate matter. When running biomethane, it can provide a 10 to 15% reduction in CO2 for a negative emission profile. A simple, maintenance-free, three-way catalyst is used after treatment, eliminating the need for exhaust gas recirculation and selective catalytic reduction components, as well as diesel exhaust fluid.

The T6 Methane Power features an all-new NEF 6.7-liter engine specifically developed for agricultural applications by FPT Industrial and benefits from the company’s 20+ years of experience in natural gas powertrain technology development. To date, FPT Industrial has produced more than 50,000 natural gas engines.

On the T6 Methane Power, the gas tanks with 49 gallons of capacity are stored in the same position as the diesel tanks on the standard T6 model. This maintains the excellent visibility from the cab and results in no restrictions in access. Fuel storage under the cab has been optimized, ensuring current production tire size offerings and track width settings. Additional options such as mid-mount valves are also available.

For extended periods between fill-ups, the front-mounted range extender offers an additional 71 gallons of fuel capacity with a bolted connection to a port on the front of the tractor. The tractor is also fitted with gas connection points at the front and rear, enabling additional fuel storage that could be mounted on trailers and implements.

T6 Methane Power with biomethane: The next step toward zero-carbon farming

The T6 Methane Power tractor is a key element in New Holland’s Energy Independent Farm concept, closing the loop of a truly circular economy, from fields to energy generation and back to fields, a complete CO₂-neutral cycle.

Farmers can grow energy crops and use agricultural waste to generate biomethane and power their T6 Methane Power tractor with this sustainable fuel to achieve near-zero CO₂ emissions. Livestock and dairy farmers can take this virtuous cycle even further by producing biomethane from manure, which subtracts CO₂ from the environment, resulting in a carbon-negative footprint.

Farmers can also use the byproducts of bio digestion as natural fertilizers on their fields, orchards, or vineyards, closing the circular economy loop.

T6 Methane Power Tractor making first U.S. appearance at 2022 World Ag Expo

The T6 Methane Power tractor will make its public U.S. debut at the 2022 World Ag Expo, February 8-10, 2022, in Tulare, California. It will be on display in the New Holland booth in the south exhibits at the International Agri-Center.

Imagery and additional resources

Fact sheets, images, and additional product resources for the new T6 Methane tractor can be downloaded here and used for publication purposes.

The post New Holland releases the new T6.180 Methane Power tractor appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Carlo Lambro, New Holland Brand President, stated:

“We have pioneered sustainable, innovative solutions for some 14 years. We developed the energy-independent Farm model, showing how a closed-loop between agricultural production and energy generation can make farming CO2-neutral, or even carbon negative – with significant benefits for our customers. This year we are taking a further step into turning this into a reality, as our methane-powered tractor enters the New Holland range.”

Methane-powered Tractor to Enter New Holland Range in 2021

The first production unit of the T6 Methane Power tractor, a cornerstone of New Holland’s Energy Independent Farm concept, was presented at the Agritechnica show in 2019 and now targets full commercial availability in 2021. Field trials are in the final stages and by the first half of the year production units will be delivered to selected customers in Germany, France, Italy, the UK, and the Benelux – all key markets for the T6 tractor where biogas production is advanced. The Methane-powered tractor will enter the New Holland range by the end of the year, and be available to all customers in Europe and other markets across the world. This development will further consolidate New Holland’s undisputed competitive edge in alternative fuels solutions.

Clean Energy Leader Strategy Extends Scope with New Partnerships

The Clean Energy Leader continues to extend its scope to explore new areas of innovation through partnerships. The first one is with Italian Barolo wine producer Fontanafredda, in a project that aims to achieve carbon-free vineyard operations. New Holland and FPT Industrial are testing in their vineyards a new bio-methane tractor derived from a standard New Holland TK model. It is powered by the new FPT Industrial F28 engine, crowned Diesel of the Year in 2020. The tractor tested in the Fontanafredda vineyards is powered on bio-methane, with the aim of accomplishing the first CO2-free wine production – an important step towards the decarbonization of the grape growing chain.

In another partnership, New Holland has developed with Italian implements producer Nobili an innovative concept for the electrification of implements for vineyards and orchards. It combines the New Holland T4.110V with an e-Source external generator compliant with AEF High Voltage guidelines. In an industry first, the generator driven by the tractor’s PTO is the only source of energy powering the new e-Sprayer and e-Mulcher. This groundbreaking innovation was recognized with the Technical Innovation 2020/21 Award at EIMA International.

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