Abstract
In this work, a comparative numerical analysis between the performance of a conventional specialized orchard tractor and those of three different hybrid electric tractor configurations is presented. The aim was to compare several powertrain configurations in the same working scenarios derived from field measurements. Peak power capabilities and endurance were numerically tested with specific load scenarios involving both transportation mission profiles and field activities with external implements powered through the power take off of the tractor. The proposed hybrid architectures were configured with the same battery-based energy storage system to perform the comparison with the same energy storage capabilities. Two parallel, two series and one electro-hydraulic hybrid configuration were modeled and tested through simulations. The parallel ones excelled in peak power performance, whereas the series configurations had the highest fuel savings. The electro-hydraulic configuration was proposed as an alternative able to allow for a downsized engine but also for the introduction of the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) functionality, which is always an interesting feature for such working machines.
Highlights
Agriculture has always played a crucial role when it comes to food for human beings.With the current population growth, the need for a highly productive agriculture has become mandatory
Acceleration and slope tests in transportation can give a good representation of peak capabilities, because all the power is directly used for a specific purpose: a quick acceleration or the maximum approachable slope
The endurance of the power unit is of greater interest because peak capabilities may be involved only for very short periods, whereas the tractor must be able to last an entire working day
Summary
With the current population growth, the need for a highly productive agriculture has become mandatory. Cultivation agriculture alone can be seen as responsible for almost 20% of the annual global production of CO2 emissions [2] Other harmful products, such as NOx and particulate matter, are the undesired effects of all the heavy-duty agricultural machinery propelled by high-power diesel engines to perform their daily activities [3]. For this reason, strict emission regulations have been progressively imposed all around the world to mitigate, in general, pollutant emissions of non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) [4]
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