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Source– This post on the New Compact Utility Tractor has been created based on the article “New Compact Utility Tractor – can help in socio-economic upliftment of marginal and small farmers” published in “PIB” on 29 June 2024.
Why in the news?
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI) has developed a new Compact Utility Tractor.
About New Compact Utility Tractor
1. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI) has developed a compact, affordable and easily manoeuvrable tractor of low horsepower range.
2. CSIR developed the tractor with support from the Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division of the Department of Science & Technology (DST).
3. Features and their benefits:
i) This tractor is equipped with a 9 hp diesel engine, 8 forward and 2 reverse speeds, and a PTO with 6 splines @540 rpm.
ii) The tractor weighs around 450 kg, with front and rear wheel sizes of 4.5-10 and 6-16, respectively. It has a wheelbase of 1200 mm, ground clearance of 255 mm, and a turning radius of 1.75 m.
iii) This compact tractor can significantly speed up farming, completing tasks in hours rather than the several days required by bullock carts.
iv) It reduces the capital and maintenance costs for farmers.
v) The tractor is designed to be affordable and efficient potentially replacing bullock-driven plows for small and marginal farmers.
UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology, agriculture
