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Purpose-Built Power

AGCO POWER engines are built specifically for ag, saving customers fuel, time and money.

The AGCO Power 9.8-liter, 7-cylinder in-line diesel engine used in the Massey Ferguson 9500 Series combines as a good example of an engine built specifically for ag.

The AGCO Power 9.8-liter, 7-cylinder in-line diesel engine used in the Massey Ferguson 9500 Series combines as a good example of an engine built specifically for ag.

In most instances, compromise is a good thing. That’s not necessarily true, however, when you are talking about agricultural engines. According to Matt Rushing, AGCO director of product management for global engines and global electronics, nearly every company but AGCO shares most of their engines with other applications. Consequently, trade-offs on performance and price are generally the result.

“That’s not the case with the AGCO POWER™ engines Massey Ferguson uses to power the majority of its tractors and harvest equipment,” says Rushing. “We purposely build our engines for particular agricultural products.”

In contrast, Rushing says many of Massey Ferguson’s competitors are forced to build a line of engines for multiple applications—from excavators and marine usage to trucks and forestry machines. “They really have to design their engine families with those things in mind. When you do that, you’re going to have to compromise somewhere.”

As a result, he continues, “one group of customers is often penalized in terms of cost, size or performance, because the engine has to be built a certain way for another specific group of customers … whether that involves using a certain type of cooler, a certain SCR dosing system or even special internal components.” However, because AGCO POWER engines are designed and built for agricultural applications, the machines can often be built smaller to allow for greater ease of handling or provide greater visibility than if an off-the-shelf engine were fitted under the hood.

Rushing points to the AGCO POWER 9.8-liter, 7-cylinder in-line diesel engine used in the Massey Ferguson 9500 Series combines as a good example. “It’s basically one cylinder longer than the 8.4-liter engine we use in the 8600 Series tractors, so that gives us and our customers a lot more parts commonality for lower maintenance costs. Yet, the in-line design gives us as much torque and power as we had with the [12.5-litre] Cat, while leaving space for all the turbos, after-treatment components and in-line cooling systems that are required to meet current emissions standards.”

Raymond Gillis, who farms with his son Brent near Baldur, Manitoba, would certainly agree, given his experience with two new Massey Ferguson 9540 combines he purchased last year. “I’m probably saving at least 30% on fuel, compared to the previous combine model.

“The in-line design also provides the power we need, yet it fits much better into the engine compartment, leaving room to move around it for service. I’d always heard that 7-cylinder engine is a good engine, and we’ve been really pleased with it.”

Rushing says the AGCO POWER 3.3-liter, 3-cylinder in-line diesel engine used in the new MF5609 and MF5610 tractors is also a good example. “It shares a number of commonalities with its sister engines built by AGCO Power, ensuring greater parts availability and lower maintenance costs. Thanks to advancements in materials and manufacturing, and features like electronic engine management, high-pressure common-rail fuel injection, turbocharging and intercooling, we can produce a smaller, more efficient engine with the performance of a larger engine,” Rushing says.

By designing a new engine specifically for the 5600 Series tractors, AGCO POWER allowed Massey Ferguson engineers to maintain the tractor’s compact size, despite horsepower ratings up to 100 engine hp; improve fuel economy; lower sound levels; and lower manufacturing and purchasing costs. A second, more compact 3.3-liter engine has also been developed for the new Massey Ferguson 4600 Series tractors, providing them with the same type of advantages.

“Farm work is not done based on the number of cylinders in the engine,” Rushing insists. “It is done based on the torque output of the engine. By building our own engines specifically for agricultural use, we’re able to produce the strongest-production off-road diesel engines in the world today.”