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Lab Work
11/3/2006
Margy Fischer
Despite a swirl of challenges,
the Nebraska Tractor Test Lab continues to protect tractor buyers.
Recently, there have been efforts to limit the tractors evaluated and
repeal the law mandating that tractors sold in Nebraska be tested. The
primary organization seeking the changes is the Iowa–Nebraska
Equipment Dealers Association.
Even though no changes have been instituted by Nebraska lawmakers,
the dealer group maintains that having a one-state mandate
for tractor testing puts Nebraska dealers at an unfair advantage. Even
though the law applies to one state, it impacts every farm-tractor
buyer in the U.S.
As a result, there has been discussion about moving the oversight of
the testing to a federal level. Drafted language of such a proposal is
up for discussion at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers meeting
this month. “The tests are a tool for farmers that we
don’t want to go away,” says Jerry Parkin, director
of government affairs for John Deere. “The goal of the
proposal would be a transparent transfer without increasing costs or
bureaucracy. It would be the same facility and staff doing their job on
a national level.”
Today, the lab continues its tractor-testing mission with new
leadership. Roger Hoy, former John Deere engineer, took the reins last
summer. Hoy is not only responsible for overseeing the performance
tests, but he will provide leadership for the lab’s future.
Hoy recognizes the responsibility he must fulfill outside of the
testing facility. He sees being proactive as the best measure in
preserving the tests.
“We want to try to do something to get the new state senators
educated,” Hoy says. “We want to present unbiased
information, and telling them the story properly is doing just that. We
may invite them to visit the lab and show what we do, why
it’s important and how it works.”
The importance of educating state lawmakers is emphasized by the
composition of the Nebraska legislature. It is a unicameral state
government; there is only one house of legislature. This month, the
even numbered districts had elections, and 22 seats—out of
49—will be held by freshman lawmakers.
As director, Hoy also hopes to develop benchmarks for today’s
technology in tractors. Currently, testing is a week-long process for
each tractor— two days to test PTO and two to three days on
the testing track. He would like to add more testing procedures to
evaluate new tractor capabilities.
“Within tractor performance testing, there are two
significant areas we test—the maximum power performance
(power, force and torque) and fuel efficiency,” Hoy expalins.
“With continually variable transmissions, the current OECD
[Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development] test procedures
aren’t able to show the benefit. And, when you use those
transmissions, operating at a part load, which is common, you get a
significant benefit.”
The tests also might change to match adopted practices.
“There may be changes also with alternative fuels,”
Hoy says. “We use straight diesel, and there is discussion
about incorporating biodiesel and other alternative fuels for
performance and fuel efficiency.”
In the future, Farm Journal will keep you posted on the activities of
the Nebraska Tractor Test Lab.
Editor’s Note:
For more information, see previously published Farm Journal articles:
“Striving to Keep Tractor Tests” (February 2005),
“Should Nebraska Tractor Tests Be Powered Down?”
(December 2003) and “Tractor Tests are Worth
Keeping” (November 2003).
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