M&M develops prototype of refrigerated van

April 1, 2013: The Sector Sourcing team of Mahindra & Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Services has developed a prototype of a refrigerated van that can be used either independently or hitched to a tractor. It has received a patent for this new product – a four-wheeler – and hopes to launch it commercially in 2-3 months’ time.

The refrigerated van is expected to cost between Rs 7-7.5 lakh. To optimise costs, the van’s air- conditioning will be run on constantly-moving power take-off from the tractor after being attached to the dynamometer without an actual AC system installed.

When in use for ploughing or haulage operations, the van can be plugged into a three-phase electric power socket for charging for 6-8 hours. This will be adequate to keep the van cooled and prevent agri-produce from getting spoilt. It will have a storage capacity of around 60 cubic metres and can cool about 8-9 tonnes of apples. Subhash Mago, senior VP, CD&MM, Sector Sourcing Head, M&M FES, says that when produce is taken from a farm to a cold storage facility, a lot of time is wasted during transportation and the produce gets spoilt. “The refrigerated van will enable the farmer to store his produce for 4-6 days. Orders are already coming from across India,” he says. Initially, M&M’s internal divisions including Mahindra Shubhlabh Services will use the van to transport grapes, oranges or flowers to district mandis from village interiors.

The van will also be leveraged for banana ripening and will not use an engine or special equipment. The aim is to make farm activities cost effective for farmers.

The van can be attached to a 55hp or 30hp tractor, which are usually used by farmers who own less than a hectare of land.

SHOBHA MATHUR