Fuel Efficiency in Stage V Tractors: The Role of Engine and Transmission

Abstract

The specific fuel consumption of Stage V-compliant tractors is investigated in detail herein, considering the influence of engine type, transmission configuration, and nominal engine speed. A total of 34 OECD Code 2 test reports conducted at the TAMTEST Test Centre were analysed, showing that tractors with E-type engines registered the lowest average specific fuel consumption, at 267.4 g/kWh. At the same time, the highest was recorded for the D-type engine, at 298.167 g/kWh. In terms of transmission type, B-type transmissions showed the highest efficiency.

Assuming Turkey's tractor fleet is 1,598,659 units and using an average nominal power of 45 kW, the maximum fuel savings from using the most efficient engine type would be about 2.63 million litres per hour at the national level. Assuming these findings as a basis for the estimated global fleet of 50 million tractors, the theoretical global fuel-savings potential rises to about 81.44 billion litres per hour, equivalent to a reduction of 218.26 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions per hour.

These results emphasise that selecting engines and transmissions is a direct, technologically feasible strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the farm sector. The present research offers actionable insights for manufacturers, farmers, and policymakers by demonstrating that efficiency-focused improvements can yield substantial economic and environmental benefits at the national and global levels.