New fuel efficiency course to save farmers thousands

Rural business services company 7Y Services Ltd has launched a series of tractor efficiency courses which could help farmers shave thousands of pounds off their diesel costs.

The director of farmer-owned 7Y, based in Herefordshire, said efficient tractor operation could save farmers £5,000 to 6,000 per year.

Tractor dealers suggest that a good operator will save 25 per cent fuel but this is dismissed by many purchasers as sales talk.

There is, however, a great deal of truth in these claims, providing the operator knows how to maximise the vehicle's efficiency.

On a tractor using 400 litres at today's price of £0.68 pence per litre, this equates to a £68 saving per day, £476 per week at harvest time and potentially £6,000 per annum.

"This will be welcome news to farmers and food producers struggling to maintain margin against a backdrop of spiralling costs, but it will require a rethink regarding machinery operation."

He continued: "The sophisticated engine and gearbox computer management systems fitted in today's tractors are designed to maximise fuel and performance efficiency, yet many farmers and temporary drivers are unsure of how to make the most of this technology. So, whilst our courses do, of course, include instruction on how to throttle back and cut engine power they also explain how to make best use of the technology installed in the tractor and how to recognize when a machine is operating efficiently.

Other topics covered include depth of cultivation, use of ballast and tyre pressures, as well as examining how maintenance and servicing can improve fuel usage.

The courses, based 7Y's Leominster headquarters, are already proving extremely popular.

"We have seen a huge uptake so far with each course costing £100 per person. Compared with the amount farmers could potentially save, it immediately represents a great investment," added Mr Tilt.

Kevin Fuller, one of the course participants and farms manager at Russell Price Farm Services added, "The course really encouraged us all to think about the basic principles of machinery operation, between us we already knew most of it but it was a stark and timely reminder, considering current fuel prices and one week on, the business is already reaping a direct benefit from the training, with fuel efficiency now top of mind for our eight operators."

Kevin added that his team members have gained personally from the training, saying that many were applying the new-found knowledge to their private vehicles to good effect.

For more information about 7Y's fuel efficient tractor driving courses, call 7Y Services Ltd on 01568 619114 or email at rebecca.sankey@7y.co.uk

Thu 10th Jul 2008