MF 9S crosses WA on renewable biofuel

Massey Ferguson’s MF 9S.425 Dyna VT has covered more than 2500 km across Western Australia running only on renewable fuel blends.

The expedition was filmed for Farm Trader’s Fuelling the Future of Australia series. Along the route, growers, industry figures and agricultural experts discussed how farm-grown feedstocks could help supply future energy needs.

Massey Ferguson, a brand of AGCO, said the trip showed that current production tractors can run on renewable fuels without losing the performance, reliability and comfort Australian farmers expect.

The tractor was a standard production machine, not a purpose-built prototype. Massey Ferguson said this shows renewable fuels can be used in existing farm equipment without significant modification.

MF Connect telemetry tracked the tractor throughout the trip. Over the 2,500 km, it logged 47 engine hours and used 923 litres of fuel across a combination of renewable blends, an average of 19.6 litres per hour.

Farm Trader presenter, Jaiden Drought, said the tractor’s efficiency nearly disrupted the planned fuel program.

“We almost couldn’t run the three-fuel strategy because we simply weren’t burning enough fuel. It was simply too efficient. Just over 20 litres per hour for a 425 hp tractor in anyone’s language is phenomenal,” he said.

Drought also linked the result to broader concerns about energy supply.

“Faced with growing questions around future energy supply and sovereign fuel security, this journey demonstrates that biofuel is already a practical, drop-in solution capable of supporting modern agricultural operations,” he said.

Massey Ferguson said the project also pointed to a wider role for farmers, who are increasingly supplying feedstocks for renewable fuels used in machinery, transport and industry, as well as producing food and fibre.

Massey Ferguson ANZ Product Marketing Manager for HHP, Chris Bain, said the trip addressed a practical question for growers.

“What this journey demonstrated is that renewable fuels can be used in a standard production tractor today, without compromising performance, reliability or operator comfort. That’s an exciting opportunity for farmers and for the future of Australian agriculture,” he said.

“Covering more than 2500 kilometres through Western Australia’s diverse conditions was a significant test for the MF 9S. The journey reinforced what Australian customers are already seeing in the field.”

The MF 9S uses Massey Ferguson’s Protect-U design, which leaves an 18cm gap between the cab and the bonnet. The gap reduces the heat, noise and vibration that reach the operator from the engine, which matters in outback temperatures.

The cab has 6.6m² of glass and 3.4m³ of interior space. For the trip it was also fitted with MF By You accessories, including custom floor mats, a phone holder and bottle storage.

“The lack of noise and vibration thanks to the 18cm Protect-U gap, combined with the active suspension system, made the 2500km journey remarkably comfortable,” Drought said.

The MF 9S is powered by an 8.4-litre AGCO Power engine and is available across Australia and New Zealand. Massey Ferguson expects the model to extend the brand’s recent growth in the high-horsepower tractor segment.

The trip adds to a list of Massey Ferguson endurance and demonstration projects that includes the Antarctica 1 and 2 expeditions, world ploughing records, the Tractor’Dak and Africa Track humanitarian initiatives, and the Morocco Desert Challenge.

Massey Ferguson advises operators to check their engine and equipment manufacturer’s approval guidelines before using biodiesel or renewable fuel blends. Fuel and servicing requirements vary by model, and the fuel used in this initiative may not suit every machine.