Energy efficiency of four-wheel drive tractor in sowing operation

ABSTRACT: The breakthrough of articulated tractors has led to a significant increase in productivity and a cost reduction of agricultural operations. The performance of the tractor implement system depends on the understanding of the tractors’ energy parameters. Fertilizer seeders operate between 6 and 9 km h-1, while seed drills allow higher speeds. Increasing sowing speed improves operational efficiency. However, it is important to adequately set the machinery, to optimize the energy parameters, considering the balance between productivity and sustainability. This study evaluated the energy and operating parameters of a 398kW articulated agricultural tractor in a sowing operation at different speeds. The experiment was conducted in a complete randomized block design. Five theoretical speeds were chosen for the sowing operation (6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 km h-1), with seven replications (35 units). The tractor operating parameters were measured: operational speed, slippage, engine speed, hourly fuel consumption, engine thermal efficiency, specific fuel consumption, drawbar force, drawbar efficiency, fuel consumption per area and field operating capacity. The data were subjected to normality test, when significant, variance analysis. Results showed high field capacity in the highest speed and low fuel consumption per area at the highest speed.