Experimental Validation of a Longitudinal Vehicle Model for an Agricultural Vehicle Using Coast-Down Testing and Diagnostic Data

Accurate modelling of agricultural vehicles is essential for optimizing drivetrain performance and energy efficiency, particularly as hybrid systems become more prevalent in sustainable farming. This study presents an experimental validation of a vehicle physical model using the Claas Xerion 3800 tractor. Coast-down tests were conducted to determine the rolling resistance coefficient, while GPS and diagnostic data were used to capture real-world vehicle dynamics and fuel consumption. The rolling resistance coefficient was calculated using two-stage aggregation method of multiple run data, yielding a statistically robust result. Simulation outputs showed close agreement with measured longitudinal responses, including vehicle acceleration, traction force, and fuel usage, with a 2.1% deviation in total fuel consumption. These findings demonstrate that the proposed modelling approach reliably replicates the vehicle’s macroscopic longitudinal dynamics and support its application in drivetrain optimization, hybrid system integration, and energy-efficient vehicle design studies. The validated framework contributes to the development of context-aware simulations capable of reflecting real-world off-road conditions and operational variability.