The ElecTra hybrid tractor transmission has reached another exciting stage: testing is now underway at the IAAPS (Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems) facility near Bristol. Following the successful build and integration of the transmission, the system is being put through its paces in one of IAAPS’s state-of-the-art powertrain test cells.
The testing process will evaluate the performance of the hybrid system, demonstrating it meets the demanding requirements of agricultural machinery. Initial testing will focus on validating the functionality of SRTI’s Vehicle Control Unit (VCU, pictured left) and the seamless integration of the motors, inverters, and multi-gear transmission developed as part of the ElecTra project. More advanced testing will see the transmission running DLG cycles, which aim to simulate real-world tractor operations.
This stage marks a significant milestone for the collaboration between CNH Industrial, SR Technology Innovations (SRTI), Advanced Electric Machines (AEM), and the University of Bath. It’s an opportunity to gather valuable data on the transmission’s efficiency, reliability, and overall performance under loads designed to replicate real-world agricultural operations.