In recent years, fuel prices and particularly that of GNR have increased significantly and this observation continues. The consequence? A major impact on the financial management of farmers and other companies linked to the sector. What we propose to you through this article is to take the example of the consumption of a combine harvester. How to calculate it correctly and then put in place appropriate solutions to reduce your consumption, your fuel budget as well as the pollution caused.
How much does a combine harvester consume?
Consumption calculated per hectare
To determine the fuel needs of your agricultural machinery , it is possible in the case of a combine harvester to use the measurement of consumption calculated per hectare which will therefore determine the quantity of fuel consumed by the machine according to the surface area. .
It is a means of comparison and analysis optimized for agricultural and industrial practices . Indeed, in the agricultural system, this offers the opportunity to precisely quantify the energy efficiency of a machine on a cultivated area . This helps improve crop management techniques (threshing, cleaning, separating, harvesting) and fuel supply while reducing environmental impact .
To calculate consumption per hectare, you need to record the total quantity of fuel inside the combine harvester, the actual quantity consumed and the surface area expressed in hectares. Then, simply divide the quantity consumed by the machine by the total surface area to obtain a result in liter/hectare . Note that the most effective calculation method remains the manual method, that is to say following these 4 steps:
- Note the number of liters in the combine harvester tank (in liters).
- Ensure the harvest at the usual rate, without changing the working habits of the machine.
- Read the number of liters remaining in the tank using a gauge. Subtract the second reading from the first.
- Divide the liters by the harvested area. You get the consumption of the combine harvester in liters per hectare.
On average, 450 hp combine harvesters which harvest 50 ha/day use around 700L of fuel every day.
Which model consumes the least?
According to the most recent surveys we have been able to group together some of the combine harvester models which consume the least and we take this opportunity to give you some of their characteristics:
Claas Lexion 660 : this combine harvester with a 6-cylinder engine with a power of 408 hp ensures driving comfort thanks to a silent cabin. The Class Lexion 660 has a hopper whose capacity varies from 9,600 lt or 10,500 lt for maximum optimized consumption . Thanks to its separation, cleaning and guiding technology, the Class Lexion 660 offers superior straw harvesting and grain separation performance compared to other agricultural machines.
John Deere T660 : the John Deere T660 combine harvester belongs to the models appreciated for the quality of their work thanks to a large threshing capacity. Despite a more complex adjustment than the Claas Lexion 660 and Claas Mega 204 combine harvesters, this machine runs at a speed of 6 km/h on dry straw with an average of 4.5 km/h before straw maturity. Equipped with a pre-thresher, a rotary separator and a straw puller, this combine harvester has a 9000 L grain hopper.
Claas Mega 204 : the volume of the grain hopper of this combine harvester model is 6,200 liters with an engine with a power of 224 hp. The Class Mega 204 belongs to machines equipped with a quality electronic system that allows precise control of grain harvesting and distribution. Hopper capacity: 6,200 L – Beater width 132 cm – Beater diameter 450 mm. the data reports a consumption of 20 L/ha. Price: around €127,000.
What fuel for a harvester?
Despite alternative fuels and extensive research in this direction in recent years, the most used fuel for harvesters still remains GNR.
The agricultural GNR
Agricultural GNR , by its name Non-Road Gas , is a specific fuel intended for forestry and agricultural use. Unlike traditional diesel, GNR is advantageous in terms of taxation, because it benefits from reimbursement from the government according to the TICPE , which makes it less expensive for professionals. The use of RNG is initially planned to counter the environmental impact linked to agricultural and forestry practices. Thus, this type of fuel is considered less harmful in terms of polluting emissions, thus making it possible to reduce the carbon footprint linked to this activity.
GNR prices on the rise
Since April 2021, the price of RNG has been constantly increasing , which poses a problem for farmers who use it for their machines. In question, the increase in the price of oil linked to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the latter being subject to economic sanctions from the international community. The increase in the price of this specific fuel places limits on the use of these products considered more ecological, but too costly for professionals who must add this cost to that of maintaining and cleaning their machines and their lands. Hence the importance of finding out how to best reduce the consumption of your combine harvesters and other machines.
How to reduce the consumption of your agricultural machinery?
Best practices for saving fuel
To improve their energy performance, agricultural professionals can focus on the following 4 points and implement truly effective actions to reduce the consumption of agricultural machinery .
Eco-driving
Eco -driving is a simple way to limit energy costs by limiting excess braking and acceleration. Whether in the cab of a John Deere, Claas or Holland combine harvester, the driver has every interest in stabilizing his driving speed in order to make his work as profitable as possible while optimizing his energy consumption. Eco-driving an agricultural machine saves 20% of fuel !
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parts must be maintained regularly to ensure that the machine is in optimal operating condition, without risk of breakdown or malfunction which would hamper harvesting, threshing or separation of straw and grain. Be sure to maintain the transmission, rotors, tires and all the parts that allow the engine to maintain its power and longevity over time. This is an effective way to save up to 10% on fuel!
Work optimization
In addition to adapting your driving regime and ensuring regular maintenance of the parts of all agricultural machines including the combine harvester, it is essential to organize your work carefully. This includes planning harvest routes, optimizing loading and unloading times as well as taking the weather into account to improve overall land use productivity. Compliance with all these criteria limits the fuel consumption of agricultural machinery.
The choice of equipment (beware of over-mechanization).
Just like the tractor , use a combine harvester whose setting and dimensions (height, width, length) correspond to your workload. The machine must not be oversized in relation to the tasks to be carried out, otherwise it will pollute unnecessarily! Check the power required so as not to consume more fuel than necessary.
ECOLOW – a fuel saver for the agricultural sector
Our box offers 12 to 15% savings on fuel consumption for agricultural and forestry machines. This technology is intended for all machines used on your farms, in order to reduce your diesel budget and to include your practices in an eco-responsible approach.
Interchangeable between several models, from a John Deere combine harvester to a Holland tractor, our module pays for itself after a few months of use! However, ECOLOW has little or no effect on very cold GNR type fuels. The major advantage of our system is that it does not harm the motor components and therefore allows you to keep your original manufacturer's warranty. Do not hesitate to contact our teams to find out more.