Farmers Unenthusiastic About Pricey Less-Polluting Tractors

Farm equipment manufacturers are rolling out less-polluting tractors to meet stricter new federal air regulations, but many in the industry say the challenge will be getting farmers to put the high-priced models into fields during hard economic times.

The rules that went into effect Saturday apply to tractors, construction vehicles and other so-called nonroad equipment. EPA says the vehicles are major sources of particulate-matter emissions — the stuff that makes smoke black and air difficult to breathe.

The Associated Press notes that federal air standards have been tightening since the mid-1990s. The 2011 regulations are the latest step, requiring that diesel engines built starting this year produce even fewer of the nitrous oxides that can cause acid rain.

U.S. tractor manufacturers have unveiled a number of new models that meet the so-called Tier 4 standards. But with the greener technology adding about 10% to the price, many farmers say they’re in no hurry to upgrade tractors that might last another 25 years or more. Others are upgrading but their old tractors are getting traded in and resold rather than retired. Given that, the effects of the new regulations may not be felt for decades, said the Associated Press. ◆