TUMtrac: This tractor is electrified!

Researchers at TU Munich have developed an electric tractor concept called TUMtrac, aimed at showcasing the possibilities of electrification in agriculture. The result of this project is set to be presented at the Agritechnica trade fair (November 12-18) in Hanover. According to the TU students, electric tractors play a crucial role in leveraging the economic and ecological potential of modern agricultural operations.

The team raised the question of which agricultural activities can be performed with electric tractors and whether there is a business case. However, there are currently only a handful of battery-powered electric tractors from which one can learn, they found. The project, launched in April 2023 at the Technical University of Munich, aims to develop a simulation platform for designing electric tractor concepts. The team is focusing on small to medium-sized tractors, such as those used in fruit cultivation.

“We see the possibility of electrification especially in tractors that have many working hours to complete, but must deliver consistent performance. The hop harvest or fruit picking are ideal examples here. Our tractor kit is designed to simulate and evaluate a wide variety of tractor concepts thanks to its modular structure,” explains Korbinian Götz, project manager of the research project at the Chair of Automotive Engineering at TUM, according to the industry portal gabot.

From 1,000 operating hours per year, tractors that can be built with the kit are expected to be particularly well-suited.

Modular Concept with Swappable Battery

The standout feature of the TUMtrac is its modular concept and design, which can be adapted according to the application. The functional prototype exhibited at the trade show represents what an overall concept could look like later. A standardized chassis forms the base of the tractor. This is supplemented by a swappable battery, which can be positioned at the front or rear of the vehicle depending on the field of application. Thus, the battery has a dual role: as a power source and also as a counterweight for attachments like mowers or snow plows. 

Advantage: The swappable battery reduces the vehicle weight because it can be smaller than a permanently installed battery and thus only the necessary amount of electricity is carried. Moreover, the batteries can also serve as a mobile power bank. Electricity that farmers generate, for example through photovoltaics or wind power, can be stored and used for operations.

“What is currently still a fringe phenomenon in the automotive sector, we can specifically use for designing our tractor system in the agricultural sector. The swappable battery can offer agricultural businesses genuine added value through more flexibility in application,” promotes Prof. Markus Lienkamp, Head of the Chair of Automotive Engineering at TUM.

Soft- und Hardware thought together

Alongside the hardware, the research team focused on the development of software integrated into the overall concept. This software is intended to allow different tractor concepts to be evaluated for their economic feasibility for agricultural operations, based on the input of desired requirements, essentially a type of simulation. This approach aims to address the increasingly complex working realities in agriculture, where changing conditions require more flexibility in equipment. The TUMtrac could thus contribute to the decarbonization of the agricultural sector globally – that is the goal.

Data first, then the concept

Based on empirical data, novel tractor concepts tailored to specific use cases are initially developed. Subsequently, students conduct a comprehensive cost analysis to quantify the economic potential compared to a conventional diesel tractor.

Current obstacles:

• High investment costs: Current solutions for electric tractors are expensive and require additional investments in infrastructure.
• High peak operational hours: Farmers need high battery capacity and constant availability to carry out agricultural work.
• Integration into agricultural infrastructure: Farms lack the infrastructure and holistic energy solutions to fully exploit the potential of electrification.