Hybrid Steyr Tractor a step further

In short, the test tractor split the powertrain. The rear axle is traditionally driven by the diesel engine with a standard CVT, as we know it from Case IH and Steyr. The front axle, on the other hand, is electrically driven.

The electrical energy comes partly from an on-board generator and partly from batteries and so-called power hubs. The fact that the powertrain is split and is partly electric creates opportunities.

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Boost of 100 hp

The diesel engine can deliver power up to 180 hp. With the electrical component added, the engine power increases to 260 hp. This power can be released constantly or as a boost when accelerating or driving suddenly uphill.

The fact that the front axle can transmit a critical and strong force means that a heavy independent sprung front axle has been chosen. This is very similar to that of the Fendt 900 series or the front axle of the John Deere 8R .

As the prototype now looks, some electrical components lie in line under the diesel engine. An extra cooler is placed on the left fender. Eventually it will be integrated somewhere under the hood.

Modular concept

In the future, the concept will be gradually expanded. The CVT module for the rear axle can also be replaced by another hybrid or even electric drive unit. How, if and when? The manufacturer cannot and will not say anything about this.

Up to 700 volts are available for the electric front axle. As mentioned, up to 75 kW (110 hp) can be transferred to the bottom. The fact that the powertrain is split and partly electric offers many new possibilities anyway. Case IH/Steyr has already devised well thought-out marketing terms for this, such as:

• E active hold: an electrical active hold of the tractor on a slope.
• E-Shuttling: an adjustable (fast/slow) switch from driving forward to reversing and vice versa. And that at a constant low engine speed.
• E-Torque Vectoring: because you work with different forces per axle, you can also control the torque and speed per axle. For example, you can pull the nose of the tractor through the bend (E-Steering) and also ensure a more stable and smarter driving behavior on the road, such as when accelerating with a heavy load at a traffic light.
• E-Torque Filling: you can compensate for very changing conditions in the field with rapid and strong forces so that the driver notices less and the work continues faster and more consistently.
• E-Boost: making extra power available very quickly, such as when driving uphill.
• E-shift: thanks to the electric front axle, the mechanical-hydraulic CVT of the rear axle works smoother, faster and more efficiently (higher mechanical range).
• E-eco mode: the combination of an independent drive of the rear axle and an electric front axle means that the engine can always operate at the most favorable speed. Depending on the work and the driver’s wishes, at least 15% fuel savings could be achieved.
• E-braking: during (prolonged) braking or descending, energy can be stored in so-called power hubs, so that it is immediately available again when driving uphill.
• E-implementation: at a voltage of 700 Volt you can externally drive electrical machines up to a power of 75 kW. There are power sockets for this purpose both at the front and at the back of the tractor (according to AEF).

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Agritechnica

Markus Putz, project manager of Steyr Hybrid, cannot yet say whether or when the hybrid Steyr concept will be ready for the market. What is certain is that the hybrid Steyr tractor will be fully tested and will be displayed at the Agritechnica.