Midland February 2021
Special edition as Spearhead celebrates 20 years of Multicut See p38
Machinery
Global engine makers team up to produce new range • Reliable, cost-effective engine • Goal is to ‘close gap in market’ • Low power range is the target
M
achinery giants John Deere Power Systems and Deutz have teamed up to jointly develop and source components for a new low horsepower range engine. The two companies say they will be able to close a gap in the market by developing an efficient 130kW (175hp) engine for customers – while retaining the reliability, versatility and performance farmers expect from John Deere and Deutz engines. John Deere and Deutz bring different perspectives and capabilities to the table. The two companies believe the collaboration can broaden their supply base and benefit from global scale – ultimately translating to increased market and customer value. Co-development and co-sourcing will include engine hardware and design. Each company will then customise its product to meet customers’ spe-
cific needs through engine software and controls. They will also manufacture and distribute the engines independently.
Industry leaders “John Deere and Deutz are both industry leaders in designing and manufacturing innovative power systems,” said Pierre Guyot, senior vice-president, John Deere Power Systems. “Through combining our complementary knowledge sets and focus areas, we are excited to offer John Deere and Deutz customers a reliable, cost-effective engine option in the low horsepower range.” Deutz chief executive Frank Hiller said the fact that John Deere chose Deutz as a collaborator for the engine project underlined the company’s strong position in off-road engine applications.
The new engine range is aimed at lower powered machines
He added: “This collaboration is an important step in establishing a business relationship between the two companies. We are very excited about the opportunity to join forces with an industry leader like John Deere, thereby creating value for our customers.”
Range of sectors As well as tractors and agricultural machinery, John Deere Power Systems manufactures and markets industrial, marine and generator drive diesel engines, as well as drivetrain components for use in a variety of off-highway applications. Deutz is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of innovative drive systems. Its core competencies are the development, production, distribution, and servicing of diesel, gas, and electric drive systems for professional applications.
Signs of recovery in tractor sales after decline Tractor sales are showing signs of recovery after poor weather and the coronavirus pandemic saw registrations decline last year. Sales of new tractors fell by 14.3% in the Midlands during 2020, according to annual figures released by the Agricultural Engineers Association. Some 1173 tractors were sold in the region during the year compared to
1369 tractors in 2019. But the market appears to be bouncing back. Some 776 tractors over 50hp were sold during December 2020 – a figure 25% higher than the same month in 2019. The AEA said it expected the recovery to continue during the first quarter of 2021. The sharpest fall in 2020 was in the home counties (41% down),
with south-west England and Northern Ireland seeing declines of over 20%. But the rate of decline was smaller in the north of England and Wales. Only southeast England saw a slight rise in registrations. The decline in registrations was seen across most of the power range, apart from the top and bottom. The number of compact
tractors (50hp and under) being registered rose slightly and there was also a rise among machines at the other end of the range. In all, 25% more tractors over 320hp were registered in 2020 than in 2019. There was a modest fall among machines over 200hp but all broad power bands below that level (and above 50hp) saw year-on-year falls of 15-20%.
FEBRUARY 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 37
