Why aren’t tractors becoming more economical?

[flyonthewall]

So after years of development, cars becoming more and more economical, why aren’t the tractors we buy? From experience a JD6130r on demo was burning about 2litres more per hour just rowing up hay than an old 6430 with 10,000 hrs on it! Only major advance was how quiet it was.

 

[7610 super q]

Engine emissions guff ?

 

[fudge]

So after years of development, cars becoming more and more economical, why aren’t the tractors we buy? From experience a JD6130r on demo was burning about 2litres more per hour just rowing up hay than an old 6430 with 10,000 hrs on it! Only major advance was how quiet it was.

Because it is the work that burns the fuel rather than the tractor. Cars are different, in effect they are doing less work because they are lighter and more aerodynamic.

 

[Hilly]

10k more fuel unreal ! more than likely be 15k as well.

 

[Henarar]

Trucks are the same they use more fuel than they used to

 

[Henarar]

Because it is the work that burns the fuel rather than the tractor. Cars are different, in effect they are doing less work because they are lighter and more aerodynamic.

I would say cars are heavier than they were

 

[Still Farming]

All "sucked," into bigger hp and 4wd units.
Never seen big stuff in the 80's ?
100hp 2wd was massive.
Over kill.
Over spec.
Over priced ?

 

[Netherfield]

I'd argue that cars are not as economical as they were ten years ago.

 

[Finn farmer]

I'd argue that cars are not as economical as they were ten years ago.

You'd be wrong.

 

[milkloss]

Is it the machines getting worse or the fuel?

 

[Timbo]

Emissions gear and that's it.

 

[Werzle]

Engines using more fuel to run hotter to produce less emissions

 

[Bullring]

Some of it will be implements are getting bigger so covering wider area, or trailers getting bigger and heavier but per acre is it any dearer or per ton of haulage. Tractors are heavier than they use to be as well. No saying the tractors don't drink more cause they do but hp has also increased.

 

[Victor]

Well I recon my new deutz is using similar or bit less than the 8 yr old one it replaced and it's 15 or so hp more
Adblue would be extra on new one though

 

[hally]

Weight.......my guessing is the 6130 is considerably heavier than a 6430

 

[Deereone]

Can we see some tangible evidence of the OP's supposition as opposed to anecdotal evidence.
I suspect that he is right but I can't prove it.

 

[nick...]

Amazes me that motorbike economy has never improved either
Nick...

 

[Frankzy]

Engines using more fuel to run hotter to produce less emissions

Not quite, techniques such as EGR is there to make the engine run colder not hotter.
A colder combustion chamber is not as efficient as a warmer one so that's why EGR leads to ever so slightly worse fuel economy.

 

[Finn farmer]

Amazes me that motorbike economy has never improved either
Nick...

They've powered up significantly though.

 

[oakleaf]

My 1989 tractor 120 HP uses 4.5 to 5 litres/hour on the hedgecutter.
My 1999 tractor 150 HP uses 7.5 to 8.5 litres/hour
My 2012 tractor 125 HP uses 4.5 to 5 litres /hour.

Not a once off experiment. Monitored all year round.