Crawler Hydrogen

2024: Market Entry

At the end of August 2024, Köppl began selling the world's first hydrogen agricultural robot, the Crawler Hydrogen tracked machine. Automated techniques can be used to perform a variety of tasks, including arable work and mowing.

The agricultural robot is equipped with a hydrogen internal combustion engine developed by EVS Hydrogen. This power unit with a displacement of 446 cubic centimeters provides a power of 24.4 kW or 33.2 horsepower. The maximum torque is 64.12 N·m. In addition to hydrogen, methanol can be used as a fuel. Fuel consumption is declared at the level of 75-90 g/kVt·ch.

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Koeppl

The new engine, as noted, organically fits into the concept of effective Köppl drives. It is tuned for optimal mechanical power transmission and maximum energy efficiency. Oil and water cooling systems are installed in the rear part of the power unit to maintain the temperature within the established limits. The methanol and hydrogen storage tank system is designed to efficiently utilize more than 97% of the useful volume of the tanks.

The hydrogen engine of the EVS Hydrogen features a robust and simple design with few components, making it ideal for use in robotic agricultural engineering. Thanks to the rotary-piston mechanism, this unit works much quieter and has less vibration than a reciprocating piston engine. In addition to the mechanical integration of the power plant into the Crawler machine, electrical settings were changed and software was modified to improve engine control and efficiency, as well as to ensure stable continuous operation.^[1]

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