Machine of the Month: Cummins powers history-making natural gas application

Gomselmash, a Belarussian agricultural equipment manufacturer, has made industry history by developing the world’s first natural gas-powered combine harvester, the Palesse GS4118K. When they required a low-emission, sustainable power solution able to meet the needs of farmers operating in difficult conditions, Cummins was the obvious choice to power the harvester.

As a longstanding customer, Gomselmash uses Cummins’ QSG12 engines in its diesel-powered machines, but this was the first time either company had worked on a natural gas-powered combine harvester.

Working together to ensure the machine would deliver on both performance and sustainability objectives, the 350hp X12N natural gas engine from Cummins was specified and integrated into the Palesse GS4118K. The engine delivers near diesel-like performance with low emissions and the potential to increase farm decarbonization.

Cummins’ X12N engine can run on compressed natural gas (CNG), liquified natural gas (LNG) or biomethane. Natural gas can be more than 60 percent cheaper than diesel. Beyond the fuel saving benefits, it can also offer a carbon dioxide emissions reduction of up to 15 percent compared to a diesel equivalent.

Natural gas power also provides the opportunity to develop a circular economy – biogas from manure digesters contains over 50 percent methane and can be used to generate electricity as well as fuel natural gas-powered equipment. With often challenging infrastructure in the territories where Gomselmash frequently operates, it was important to find a power solution that could be refueled either with methane processed on the farm, or available from vendors locally.

Agriculture is a critical market and with the backing of an extensive global engineering, service and support network, Gomselmash can be confident in Cummins’ ability to supply natural gas products and customer support expertise worldwide. With a 100 year history as a market leader in the agricultural sector, this new off-highway initiative represents Cummins’ commitment to researching new power solutions to help farmers boost their crop yields.

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Cummins, Cummins engine, Cummins QSG12

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