TRENDS IN TRACTOR DEVELOPMENT, WEST EUROPEAN VIEW

서유럽의 트랙터 개발 경향

The tractor is the most important machine for farming keeping probably this position also for feeding the future fast growing world population. Band width of power and functions continues to increase worldwide, examples are given. Regarding the high developed countries, general farming demands as well as precision farming issues require closed loop control principles for the system "driver-tractor-implement". Progress in information technologies supports this trend, but comprehensive component and system developments are necessary to make the tractor ready for automatic or semi-automatic controls. The following technical highlights are, for example, discussed for Europe: hydropneumatic front axle suspensions, 50 km/h top speed, front brakes, electronically controlled multivalve diesel engines, automatic hydrostatic power split CVTs, load sensing hydraulics with proportional valves, improved cab and working places with "operations by wire" and more electronics on board than ever before.