Within two years, the prototype fuel cell tractor that New Holland presented at the agricultural machinery show (Sima 2009) in Paris should be tested on pilot farms.
This 150 hp machine uses a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) catalyst, a more economical alternative to platinum, but above all a hydrogen production unit "on the farm". With 900 m2 of photovoltaic roof and an electrolyser, the farmer will be able to produce enough hydrogen to supply the tractor, and thus be autonomous in "fuel".
The machine, rewarded with a gold medal of the show, should be marketed in five years, for an additional cost "of only a few percent" explains Ludovic Vimond, spokesman for New Holland, who compares "the significant costs of development of low-emission engines "and" the simplicity of the fuel cell ". In its thermal version, this tractor now costs “50 to 60 €”.
To know more :
* The New Holland site http://agriculture.newholland.com/franc ... fault.aspx
The autonomous farm model is on the way , watch the video on the home page of the site, interesting, and apparently approved by all ?? !! without consideration ??
But it's great !!