Fuel Efficiency on Arable Farms

Global events have fuel prices on the rise. With no clear timeline for when things will improve, it’s important to ensure your business is as fuel efficient as possible. There are very simple measures that operators can undertake to help improve fuel efficiency, and saving even a few percent can translate into a decent financial saving for a farming business.

Equipment set up
Time pressures mean that settings and maintenance may not get the same attention, but getting this right can make a tremendous difference. This includes making sure equipment is level when working and that linkages are set correctly.

Tractors and machinery maintenance
This starts from the basics such as regular greasing and lubrication but also extends to making sure that items such as filters are working as efficiently as possible. Also remember the sharpening of blades or changing of plough metal.

Tyre pressure
Tyres can also play an important role in fuel consumption. Simply reducing tyre pressures for sowing and then putting some air back in for silage carting would help get the best of both tyre performance and fuel efficiency.

Don’t be an aggressive driver
Driving at unnecessary high engine speeds, accelerating too fast and braking hard is not good for the tractor and results in increased fuel consumption. Try to shift up the gears and reduce engine speed where possible particularly when undertaking PTO work.

Monitor and record
This can be used to find out what tasks use most fuel. Ultimately if you don’t measure, you don’t know if something can be improved. Making small changes to machines and driver habits could bring big savings in the months ahead.

Track fuel prices daily
With prices fluctuating on a daily basis it’s well worth taking advantage of any dips in the market by keeping track of prices and filling up when they occur, rather than waiting till you absolutely need to fill up and risking a higher price.

 

George Chalmers, SAC Consulting