Hydraulic system transforms farm tractors

Dec 20, 2024
By Farms.com

Tractors gain 50% efficiency with new hydraulic tech

Farm tractors are getting a game-changing upgrade, thanks to a collaboration between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Purdue University. Together, they’ve developed a new hydraulic system that boosts tractor efficiency by 50% while saving 10% on fuel.

The multipressure hydraulic system designed by Purdue University supplies three pressure levels tailored to various tractor components. NREL contributed a cutting-edge onboard controller equipped with machine learning to optimize energy use. This allows tractors to achieve maximum hydraulic efficiency while minimizing losses.

“Given the amount of fuel that a typical tractor consumes, this is a massive improvement,” said Andrea Vacca, director of Purdue’s Maha Fluid Power Research Center.

This system reduces environmental impact significantly, offering a practical solution for the agriculture sector, which accounts for a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. Enhanced tractor efficiency ensures productivity remains high while contributing to sustainability goals.

Beyond agriculture, NREL’s control framework holds promise for other industries, including freight rail, marine vessels, and aviation. By integrating machine learning with energy-saving strategies, these advancements could transform multiple sectors.

This breakthrough demonstrates how innovation can make farming more sustainable, benefiting both producers and the environment.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.