Cummins to collaborate on hydrogen engines for ag equipment

Columbus-based Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) and Canada-based Buhler Industries Inc., a tractor manufacturer that operates under the Versatile brand, are planning to integrate the Cummins 15-liter hydrogen engines in Versatile’s equipment. Cummins says the collaboration, and the new powertrain technologies, are leading decarbonization efforts within the agriculture market.

Cummins engines have been exclusively used in Versatile’s four-wheel drive tractors since 1967.

“Versatile is a longstanding manufacturer in the agriculture space with a reputation for excellence in tractors,” said Ann Schmelzer, general manager of Cummins global agriculture business. “Our companies share a commitment to technology, quality and dependability for our customers. Cummins is excited to be working with Versatile as we leverage our respective strengths to create new opportunities for both companies.”

Cummins says hydrogen combustion engines will offer a cost effective zero-carbon fueled solution for high load factor and high utilization applications. The technology also provides time-saving benefits to reducing carbon emissions that doesn’t cut down on productivity.

“While diesel engines continue to be the flexible power of choice for the foreseeable future in agriculture,” says Adam Reid, Versatile’s vice-president of sales and marketing, “such a collaboration enables both companies to develop low and zero carbon solutions that are ideally suited to farming.”

“Cummins has recently announced its plan to leverage existing platforms and expertise in spark ignited technology to build hydrogen engines,” said Schmelzer. “The high commonality among engine components between diesel and hydrogen leverages scale advantages for OEMs, while delivering the reliability that farmers need.”

Cummins says the new technology also minimizes the impact on the machine design for manufacturers, creating additional efficiencies.