The document discusses the EFFICIENT20 project, which aims to reduce fuel consumption in agriculture by 20% by 2020. It establishes a network of 30 pilot groups in 9 countries to monitor fuel usage and implement savings actions. The project will share results online and through educational materials to promote fuel efficiency best practices among farmers, manufacturers, and schools. Expected outcomes include 20% fuel savings in pilot groups and disseminating strategies on optimizing tractor settings, like proper tire pressure, to reduce fuel consumption.

1. EFFICIENT 20,
European Farmers and Foresters Involved
for Contributing to an Intelligent Energy
Network towards the target of 20%
reduction in fuel consumption
Guillaume DEFAYS
Unité de Recherche Machinisme et Infrastructures agricoles
Département Productions et Filières
Centre wallon de Recherches agronomiques CRA-W
Chaussée de Namur, 146
B-5030 Gembloux - Belgique
Tél.: ++32(0)81 627 170
Fax.: ++32(0)81 615 847
Email: g.defays@cra.wallonie.be

2. History
 European Union climate and energy
package (2008) targets for 2020: “20-20-20”
• +20% energy efficiency
 Programme “Intelligent Energy – Europe”
(IEE)
• EFFICIENT20
- Contribution of farmers and foresters

3. The project Efficient20
The focus is put on fuel oil used in farming
machinery, which represents more than
50% of the energy consumed in
agriculture
 The agricultural operations are complex, fuel
consumptions are not well known
 Making savings as attractive as renewable energy
production is our challenge!

4. A Network with concrete
actions
 30 pilot groups in 9 different countries implement
monitoring and fuel saving actions
 A European communication campaign allows to
speak loud about fuel savings
 Tractor manufacturers, agricultural schools and
farming organisations are invited to join the network
 A common source of fuel saving informations (
http://efficient20.eu )

5. Expected results
Sharing of the results and the knowledge to get:
 20% fuel savings in pilot groups at the end of the
project
 Online database with field tests results on fuel
savings (before and after fuel savings actions)
 Teaching modules for eco-drivers, handouts,
presentations and handbooks on fuel savings in
agriculture and forestry
 40 events attended throughout Europe
 60 active Associated Members implementing actions
and disseminating the project’s results.

6. Example:
« Strategies for saving fuel with tractor
(trainer handbook) »

7. Fuel consumption
measurement
1. Refueling of the tank – working in the field – refueling of the tank –
recording the filled volume
2. Refitted measuring equipment
3. Fuel consumption at tractor terminal
Time Plot / operation / used equipment/
Time Area Diesel consumption
Date required operation conditions / working
from until [h] depth, working height [ha] [l] [l/h] [l/ha]
Meadow land / cutting / front-rear-
20.08.09 10.00 14.30 4.5 13.5 54 12 4
combination / first cut / 6 cm
Recordings about fuel consumption are the basis for efficient future savings!

8. Chassis, tyre pressure
___ Tyre pressure (bar) when working with velocity over 20 km/h
Heavy pulling work (ploughing)
Adapt the tyre
pressure of the
axle load to the
operating speed.
Source: Vredestein
- - - Tyre pressure (bar) when working in the field with velocity below 20 km/h
Source: Co.Vredestein

9. Comparative test: tyre
pressure
Maximum fuel saving of 10%

11.  Join the Efficient20 network
 Check www.efficient20.eu for news and upcoming events
 Becoming an Associated member:
• You will have access to detailed information on our website and
fuel monitoring database on efficent20.eu
• If you are currently leading actions about fuel savings,
EFFICIENT20 project will be glad to advertise your actions or
help you implementing them.
• Tractor manufacturers, dealers, farming schools, universities
and institutes are welcomed in the Network.

12. Partners and contact
 Great Britain : Ruralnet Futures
 Solvenia : KGZS, Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of
Slovenia and AIS, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia
 Belgium, CRAW Wallon Agricultural Research Centre
 Spain, APEA, Agencia Provincial de la Energía de Ávila
 Austria FJBLT FRANCISCO JOSEPHINUM WIESELBURG
 Poland PIMR Polish Industrial Institute of Agricultural
Engineering
 Germany KWF Kuratorium für Waldarbeit und Forsttechnik
 Italy ENAMA Ente Nazionale per la Meccanizzazione Agricola
 France CEMAGREF Institut de recherche pour l’ingénierie de
l’agriculture et de l’environnement
 France CRAB Regional Agricultural Chamber of Britanny
 France AILE, local energy agency

13. Thank you
Guillaume DEFAYS
CRA-W
Chaussée de Namur, 146
B-5030 Gembloux - Belgique
Tél.: ++32(0)81 627 170
Fax.: ++32(0)81 615 847
Email: g.defays@cra.wallonie.be