Run Your Tractor For Less Money?

This is a subject I don’t know a lot about, but a recent FCG visit to Slurrykat Machinery manufacturers in NI prompted me to do further research on the subject when Garth Cairns the MD stated “that a 150HP tractor with an unnecessary half tonne weight on the front uses an extra 1.5L/hour of fuel”. That’s 7500L over a 5000 hour period which would be £5500 (£1/hour) at current fuel prices. Yes, the weights are required for ballast for certain operations but a lot of the time the weights should be taken off, but don’t!

Here are some other tips to reduce fuel usage.

1. Stop Tractor Low Idling Time - when a tractor is not in use but still running, i.e., idling it is using 3.5L/hour.  Surveys have shown that tractors low idle 30% of their lives.  5000 hours. That’s another 5,250 litres or a £1/hour over the 5000 hours saved.
2. Changing Engine Oil Regularly as stated by the Servicing Interval.
3. Keep Air Filters clean - Blow out with air compressor regularly depending on the operation being carried out.
4. Correct Tyre Pressure - Road operations require a different pressure to field operations.
5. Match the tractor power to the operation and the size of implement.  Too many tractors are overpowered for the size of implements attached resulting in excess power and fuel wasted.

If you have 3-4 tractors doing a combined 10,000 hours pa and adopt a combination of the above and save £1/hour at 70ppl fuel price, that’s an annual saving of £10k and a lower carbon footprint for your business. At £1/litre the savings are £14k!

You may know the above facts and it seems obvious but are your team aware and who trains the new team members who join the team even if it is for a short period?

We all need reminding of the basics. This subject is one small cost in the overall business. Who is reminding you and reviewing your business costs as commodity sale prices fall? Contact Gerard on 07976 426420 or e-mail gerardfinnan@fcgagric.com for an independent review of your business costs and navigate your business through a lower income trough in the next 12 months.