Earlier this year Republic of Belarus-based firm Gomselmash revealed it was developing a compressed natural gas (CNG) powered combine harvester. True to its word, the company recently field-tested a prototype. The details are limited but we can confirm that the gas engine and storage tanks are used to power a model called the Palesse GS 4118 K. The work continues and Gomselmash reckons the technology could ultimately provide farmers with a more economical and environmentally friendly harvesting solution.
Never heard of Gomselmash? That’s not too surprising because while the company exports over 90% of production, nearly all of it is transported to far-away destinations including Argentina, Brazil, Iran, China and South Korea. The nearest machines to the UK are found in Eastern Europe, Russia and the Baltics.
The Belarusian company manufactures a wide range of farm machinery, including self-propelled sugar beet, cotton and potato harvesters, plus a six-model range of SPFH (max. 600hp). All of them are sold under the Palesse brand name, and the company claims to have sold dozens of thousands of SPFH and combines during the past 80 years, and a total of over 2.5 million agricultural machines.
