The TH Hybrid Power concept on New Holland’s Agritechnica stand is based on a TH7.40, but then with the diesel engine swapped for a fully electric drivetrain.
The hybrid concept disconnects the drivetrain from the hydraulics with the 70kWh battery providing 154hp (115kW) for the driveline and 112hp (84kW) for the hydraulics. The battery provides electrical power in both hybrid and full electric modes.
Currently at a test phase, energy savings of up to 70% are claimed compared to the diesel version of the TH7.40 (7m/4.0t), and 30% better performance during typical material handling operations.
Operating fully electrically for up to four hours on medium-heavy tasks and up to six hours on light-duty cycles, the trump card is the connection of the battery to a four-cylinder FPT methane gas engine.
This range extender is said to overcome the run-time limitations of battery-only machines in that the gas engine recharges the battery and provides supplementary power when needed. The engine is only used to recharge the battery and has no connection to the electric drivetrain.
Using technology developed by Bennamann, in which CNH owns a majority stake, the 2.8-litre gas engine generates 100hp (75kW) and operates at a fixed speed to minimize fuel consumption while maintaining performance. The 140-litre methane tank is the equivalent of 25 litres of diesel.
Flexibility is further extended through battery fast-charging, and electricity generated on-farm via solar or AD plants can also be used to recharge the batteries.
The hybrid hander project started in Italy 18 months ago. With 900 hours on its clock, the Agritechnica prototype is now on its way to Basildon to develop further.
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