MEASUREMENT OF FIELD PERFORMANCE FOR TRACTOR

This study was performed to develop a measurement system of tractor field performance for plow and rotary operations. Measurement system for tractor consisted of torque sensors to measure torque of drive axles and PTO axle, speed sensors to measure rotational speed of drive axles and engine, microcomputer to control data logger, and data logger as I/O interface system. The measurement system was installed on four-wheel-drive tractor. Four-element full-bridge type strain gages were used for torque measurement of drive axles and optical encoders were used to measure speeds of drive axles and engine. Slip rings were mounted on the rotational axles. Signals from sensors were inputted to data logger that was controlled by microcomputer with parallel communication. Sensors were calibrated before the field tests. Regression equations were found on completion of the calibrations. The field experiment was performed at paddy fields and uplands. Rotary and plow were used when the tractor was operated in the field. Travelling speeds of the tractor were 1.9 km/h, 2.7 km/h, 3.7 km/h, 5.5 km/h, 8.2 km/h, and 11.8 km/h. Operating depths of implements were maintained approximately 20cm during the tests. Torque data of drive axles were different at each location during plow and rotary operations. Results showed that torque of rear axles were greater than those of front axles. Total torque were 6860 - 11064 Nm at the upland and 7360 - 14190 Nm at the paddy field for plow operations. It was found that torque at the paddy field were about 20% greater than those at the upland for plow operations. Torque data showed that rotary operations required less power than plow operation at the paddy field and the upland. Torque measurements at each axle for rotary operations were only 8 - 16% of plow operations in the upland and 15 - 20% in the paddy field.