OMAHA (DTN) -- CNH has donated two New Holland methane-powered tractors to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's (UNL) Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources for use in agriculture research and education, according to a UNL press release.

The New Holland T6.180 is described by CNH as the world's first 100% methane-powered production tractor. Each tractor has a retail value of $287,240. The tractors were donated through the University of Nebraska Foundation.

The donation was facilitated by Andy Dozler, manufacturing engineering manager of the CNH plant in Grand Island, Nebraska.

"I was made aware of a unique opportunity that CNH was looking to donate several methane-powered tractors to universities," Dozler said. "The goal was to place this equipment in the hands of students for real-world use, helping prepare the next generation of farmers and innovators while demonstrating the viability of alternative-powered machinery in everyday agricultural operations."

Dozler earned a bachelor's degree in mechanized systems management from UNL in 2004 and serves on the Biological Systems Engineering advisory board. CNH's manufacturing engineering department in Grand Island employs 10 engineers who are UNL alumni.

The two tractors will be used at the university's Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC), a research and education facility located near Mead.

The tractors are designed to reduce emissions. Farms with biodigesters can power the tractors by converting plant waste and livestock manure into biomethane. The tractors can also operate on compressed natural gas, which is how they will initially be fueled at the university.

Doug Zalesky, director of UNL's ENREEC, said the facility functions as both a working farm and a commercial-scale laboratory where faculty, staff, students, producers, partner organizations and members of the public can observe and test new and emerging technologies.

"This donation is an addition to the slate of technologies here at ENREEC, and it highlights our partnership with CNH," Zalesky said. "We look forward to putting them to work."

The tractors were manufactured at a CNH plant in Basildon, England. CNH's plant in Grand Island has been in operation for 60 years and employs more than 600 people.

Russ Quinn can be reached at Russ.Quinn@dtn.com

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