Picture: Eden Chief Executive, Tim Smit, receives the keys from Simon Thornton, head of marketing and product development New Holland Europe, at a ceremony on 11 April.
After a stringent selection process, the Eden Project has chosen New Holland tractors to operate at the environmentally-focused attraction. The project will use two TS115A tractors to tow visitor land trains that circulate the park and a TC35 compact tractor for general work in the gardens.
"The Eden Project is about man's relationship with and dependence upon plants and the environment. It is a relationship that should be respected and, while we try not to preach, Eden is always looking to partner with the most environmentally conscious suppliers and we are delighted to be working with New Holland," said David Rowe, head of press and public relations at the Eden Project.
The selection process was undertaken by Fleetsolve Ltd, an independent sustainable transport consultancy working with the Eden Project since 2005, which looked at every aspect of replacing the existing tractors.
"Eden Project is a UK showcase and it was important that tractors should reflect the forward-thinking attitude of the project. We looked at the total life costs for the project, and determined the power and weight required for the tractors following en extensive risk assessment," explains Fleetsolve managing director Keith O'Connor.
It was determined that significant benefits would be gained by two tractors pulling four carriages each, increasing the size but reducing the number of land trains. This required heavy, powerful tractors that would perform well in some restricted operating spaces yet still offer efficient performance.
"The tractors needed to be able to operate on 100 per cent biodiesel without a perceivable loss in performance, while meeting our strict emissions and fuel efficiency levels. New Holland differed from the competition with a commitment to run on B100 from the outset, and as a UK manufacturer with a strong local dealership, it was this positive and professional attitude that sealed the deal," said Mr O'Connor.
Simon Thornton, head of marketing and product development New Holland Europe, outlined the important of using a sustainable fuel source. "The use of B100 biodiesel enables the operation of these tractors to deliver significantly lower emissions, but we have also ensured that New Holland tractors operate to the strict EN14214 standard, using rapeseed biodiesel from sustainable European sources.
"Farmers find themselves in a unique position to benefit from the use and production of biodiesel, and New Holland is committed to using its technological leadership to make the most of this opportunity. We are proud to be working with the Eden Project and, using partnerships such as these, New Holland will continue to advance the use of biodiesel."
The New Holland tractors were officially handed over to Eden Chief Executive, Tim Smit, by Simon Thornton at a ceremony on 11 April.
