Healthy ecosystems are crucial for continued sustainable production of food. Tractors have played an enormously important role to mechanise several agricultural tasks, especially in the cultivation of land and production of food over the past century.

In 1972 the United Nations established World Environment Day to encourage global awareness and action for the protection of the environment and in 2021, World Environment Day 2021 will focus on the revival of damaged eco systems.

The Italian multinational tractor company, Argo Tractors, based in Fabbrico, places a great deal of emphasis on environmental sound practices in manufacturing but also in field operations.  “Healthy eco systems and sustainable agricultural practices have become increasingly important and the company has made substantial investments in our operations in this regard,” says Juanita Pretorius, Distribution Development Manager of Argo Tractors South Africa.

“We realised that we not only need to develop new technologically advanced machinery and unlock new economic value for our customers so that they can become more profitable and sustainable, but we also need to make sure that it does not happen to the detriment of the environment. As a top player in the agricultural machinery sector, Argo Tractors wishes to face these global production and environmental challenges with increasingly cutting-edge products,” says Pretorius.

In production

Action taken by Argo Tractors in their production facility in Fabbrico includes the installation of a Water Wall-system that dramatically cuts the amounts of oils used in the production process. The regeneration process removes foreign oils and prevents the development of oil mists to keep the workplace healthy and safe and reduce the amount of cooling lubricants that need to be disposed of.

This system requires no chemical additives and recovers and regenerates the emulsion used when milling and drilling the various cast-iron and steel component parts for McCormick tractors. The cooling lubricant flowing in a closed-loop piping system is first used in the machining centres and then conveyed into settling tanks where the metal filings from the machining processes are removed. Finally, the same system decontaminates the fluid removing any fungi or bacteria that may have grown in the different systems. When the treatment is complete, the fluid is recirculated back into the piping system.

The emulsion is 95% water; the rest is semi-synthetic oil. It is a lubricant that must be treated as spent fluid and disposed of at the end of the process. Oil is regenerated continually and is changed only twice a year thanks to this system.  Due to the use of this system, nearly 400 thousand litres of emulsion are recovered every year and the lessen the environmental impact and footprint of the manufacturing processes substantially.

On farm

“Apart from bring the newest technologies and development in the tractor industry to farmers, one of Argo Tractors’ top objectives is also to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption per ton of production,” according to Pretorius.

Tractors are typically designed with powerful engines to run over rough terrain and pull heavy loads and cast-iron front axles are added for extra strength and durability. The latest tractor models offer many advantages and feature powershift transmissions and hydrostatic transmission to simplify operation. With power steering to make turning easier, advanced models also reduce operator fatigue with automatic transmission systems.

Precision farming technologies help farmers to optimise resources and consumption and limit the impact on the environment. This results in fuel savings, less soil compaction, and eliminates the waste of fertilisers and herbicides.

The McCormick tractors models enables farmers to use the most advanced solutions in their farming operations. The McCormick X7.624 VT-Drive Stage V tractor is especially suitable for precision farming and minimum and no-till practices.  These practices enable farmers to improve production and contribute to sustainable agriculture and soil health because of improved application of fertilisers and crop protection chemicals.

Characterised by a general increase in power and equipped with a 6-cylinder, 24-valve 6.7-litre Beta Power Fuel Efficiency engine, this tractor guarantees maximum power and performance but also offers lower tractor wear and fuel savings. The Selective Catalyst Reduction system with a 52-litre AdBlue® tank with the innovative HI-eSCR2 exhaust after-treatment system, the engines of the new X7.6 reduce emissions to meet the Stage V emissions regulations.

McCormick has always been at the side of those working in the agricultural sector to meet the great challenges of today and tomorrow with cutting-edge solutions and efficient technologies.

More about Argo Tractors: Argo Tractors is an important industrial Group family owned that designs, produces and markets tractors, services and parts worldwide, which encompass a technological portfolio of brands that have set important milestones in agricultural mechanisation.