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New Holland to Unveil Hydrogen Powered Farm Tractor Prototype


New Holland to Unveil Hydrogen Powered Farm Tractor Prototype

New Holland has developed a new tractor called the NH2 that is powered by hydrogen. The tractor is set to make a public debut at the 2010 Farm Progress Show held in Boone, Iowa. The working prototype is powered by a 106hp engine that runs in near complete silence and produces zero polluting emissions.

According to the press release from New Holland, farmers are in a better position to benefit from the use of hydrogen powered equipment because they have, “the space to install alternative electricity generation systems, such as solar, wind, biomass, or waste and then store that power as hydrogen.” Over time, this would allow formers to move off the “fuel grid” and save big money. As this is just a prototype, no pricing or specific information on what type of investment this equipment would be exists.

Power is generated by hydrogen fuel cells that create electricity. Compressed hydrogen reacts in the fuel cell with oxygen pulled in from the air, which produces water and electrons. Those electrons are turned into electrical current which is then used to power electric motors, driving the tractor. With big electric motors on hand, torque will be instant and powerful. 

We’re wondering if driveline components will need to be changed to withstand the near instant delivery of power that electric motors provide. The Tesla electric car had major teething issues when the company tried to install a multi-speed transmission because of way the power was applied. Tractors can certainly be beefed as speed and high speed handling aren’t really and issue.

This is pretty cool and how ironic would it be if hydrogen powered farm tractors beat hydrogen powered passengers cars to market?

Source — MarketWatch.com — New Holland Zero Emisson Tractor of Future Makes Debut


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