CNHI’s New Holland marque is leading the field with an electric tractor, with autonomous features, that represents the start of a new journey for farms around the world.
At New Holland an electric revolution in agriculture has begun with a new tractor that is currently touring the world – in August 2023, the Farm Progress Show at Decatur, Illinois, witnessed the first public unveiling of the New Holland T4 Electric Power (T4EP), while in November, the machine is scheduled to be shown in Europe for the first time, at Agritechnica in Hanover.
An intelligent battery-powered tractor apt for low-horsepower applications, the T4EP combines clean power with by-wire control to enable autonomous capabilities intended to address labour shortages and ease total cost of ownership (TCO) pressures. New Holland believes it represents not merely the debut of a new tractor, but the genesis of a wholly new class of vehicle.
“The T4 Electric Power is the industry’s first all-electric utility tractor,” says T4 Electric Power global product manager, Saulo Silva. “New Holland has been at the forefront of alternative propulsion since 2006. This represents another milestone in our innovation journey and a remarkable step towards zero-emission farming.”
The T4EP’s design accommodates a Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (Li-NMC) battery-pack, while retaining the optimal dimensions of the New Holland PowerStar T4.75 diesel utility tractor on which it was modelled. Its batteries are married to an electrified drivetrain with 400V high-voltage architecture. Performance-wise, it is reckoned an ample match for its PowerStar diesel cousin.
The T4EP offers 74hp (55kW) rated and 65hp (48kW) PTO power akin to the T4.75, but delivers superior 120hp (88kW) peak power and 440Nm maximum torque. It features four-wheel drive, a proven 12×12 clutchless transmission and achieves a 40km/h top speed. Standard attachements include a 725LU mechanical self-levelling front-loader with third function and 84in bucket.
“It definitely outperforms its diesel counterparts,” says Silva. “The electric motor’s power and torque curve behaviours promote smooth, gradual power delivery at low speeds and constant delivery at high speeds. It has all the power outputs of a regular tractor, including two-speed rear PTO, conventional drawbar, rear hydraulic three-point linkage, multiple rear remotes, mid-mount valves and front-loader.”
New experience, new use cases
Electrified responsiveness and control are expected to reduce cycle-times and boost capacity in field applications. The T4EP emits no pollutants, suiting it to the confined spaces of sheds, livestock installations or greenhouses, as well as emissions-sensitive urban settings. 90% quieter than diesel stablemates, its near-silent operation favours work in noise-sensitive equestrian barns or college campuses. Likewise, it enables night-work on municipal sites with stringent noise regulations, opening new vistas of nocturnal uptime.
“The T4EP provides a completely new driving experience,” Silva continues. “Gradual low-speed and constant high-speed power-delivery increase precision and control over the loader and implements. Inexperienced operators can run implements without worrying about precise gear selection and throttle control. Experienced operators can achieve infinite speed adjustments just by controlling motor RPM.”
The first machines are expected to be deployed to customers, initially from select North American dealers, in early 2024. Once tested in the field, their performance may inform development of a more advanced production model. The T4EP will join the T7.270 LNG (also set for launch at Agritechnica) and T6.180 Methane power to swell the ranks of a New Holland alternative propulsion line-up designed to cover a sliding scale of power requirements.
“As a utility tractor, the T4EP is designed for low-horsepower applications,” Silva explains. “The T6 and T7 are medium tractors intended for field missions with greater power demands. These alternative energy-source models complement each other in a versatile portfolio to support sustainable farming practice.”
Working hours
Assembled in the USA by CNH Industrial, the battery pack provides 110kWh maximum storage capacity. According to New Holland, this supports a four-hour average runtime in heavy-duty work, which doubles to eight hours in less intense applications. Enabled by state-of-the-art thermal management, DC fast-charging can restore the vehicle to 80% runtime capacity during one-hour operator lunch breaks, thus minimizing downtime.
“The tractor is equipped with rugged, prismatic Li-NMC cell-based modules,” says Silva. “New Holland worked ahead of its time to develop a portfolio of five AC and DC charging solutions offering recharge times from one to 10 hours. Solar panels, biodigesters, wind power and regular grids can all be used to recharge the vehicle in both AC and DC.”
New Holland expects the T4EP to prove a popular and adaptable solution across mixed farm, hay and forage, dairy, livestock, greenhouse, specialty crop and municipal applications. Exportable Power functionality will moreover provide convenient electricity wherever farmers need it. Equipped with 110V and 220V outlets common to farmyard workshops, the tractor offers a mobile power-source for electrical tools.
Autonomous features
Central to the T4EP value-proposition is a formidable repertoire of autonomous and driver-assist features, some of which allow the cab to be entirely vacated during operation. These are intended to address TCO and recruitment challenges by enabling work with fewer, or less experienced, operators.
“The convergence of electrical propulsion and autonomous functions was central to design,” says Silva. “By-wire controls mean that acceleration, deceleration, forward, reverse, steering and braking respond to operator commands via vehicle software. They can also be automatically controlled by the Smart Roof.”
The Smart Roof is a nest of cameras, sensors and control units which enables functions driven by computer vision techniques and machine learning algorithms. It appears to derive from the roof-embedded technology evident in the MK-V production flagship of New Holland’s partners, Monarch Tractor (see Next-gen thinking). It enables the T4EP to recognize and classify objects in real-time, detect obstacles and provide warnings or initiate collision avoidance measures.
“Creative driver assistance is inherent to the T4EP’s innovative character,” Silva continues. “In Follow Me Mode, the tractor follows an operator who is outside the cab, in both forward and reverse. In harvesting row crops, this eliminates the need for a dedicated operator constantly moving the tractor forward. It’s useful for passing throw-gates, feeding livestock and pipe-laying applications.”
Similarly, Route Mode liberates cab from operator in routine tasks by allowing the tractor to store and follow preprogramed routes. Invisible Bucket functionality provides an unimpeded 360° view around an attached bucket via real-time camera images on a touchscreen display.
New Holland believes a revolutionary vehicle must also look the part. The pleasing curves of an all-new hood design embellished with illuminated leaf emblem make the T4EP appear simultaneously friendly and futuristic. It sports the Clean Blue paint scheme intended to mark out New Holland alternative propulsion models from their conventional predecessors. New Holland says the ergonomic cab interior will redefine operator comfort and features a new digital instrument cluster and additional colour touchscreen display.
CNH Industrial, whose subsidiaries include New Holland and Case IH, is committed to a future of fully-autonomous farming. In 2021, CNH acquired Raven Technologies, a leader in digital and precision agriculture, and showcased its autonomous capabilities at Tech Days in Phoenix, Arizona last December (See iVT March 2023). The T4EP, with its by-wire architecture enabling assisted and driverless aptitudes, materially advances CNH’s autonomous end-game.
“Full autonomy is definitely part of our plans,” says Silva. “New Holland is looking to the future, but the T4EP’s combination of electrified drivetrain and autonomous features can improve performance and enhance drivability today, empowering farmers to overcome the challenges of increased TCO and skilled labour shortages.’
