Integration of Tractor Engine, Transmission and Implement Depth Controls: Part 1, Transmissions

Abstract

Agricultural tractors work under a variety of conditions and maximum work-rate and minimum fuel consumption depend upon the correct selection of engine speed, transmission ratio and implement width and depth. Although the well-known technique of "gear up, throttle down" produces fuel savings, particularly at part load, a tractor with a fully integrated engine-transmission-implement control system would have a dynamic response to varying loads to achieve the maximum work-rate for the minimum fuel consumption under all conditions. This review considers transmissions that could be used on an integrated control tractor and discusses the requirements of the transmission and how well these are met by the different types. It concludes that the presently available powershift transmissions, now being fitted with electronic control, and the high efficiency, continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), being developed for automotive applications, are the most appropriate. There are, however, new transmission arrangements which, if developed for tractors, could offer improved efficiency for powershift types or continuous power transmission during range changes for continuously variable transmissions. There is little published data on the performance of tractors with CVTs. Further analysis, using computer modelling, could be used to help determine whether the ability of a CVT to exploit rated engine power at all forward speeds compensates for its lower transmission efficiency compared to stepped transmissions. More information on the efficiencies of the various transmissions, while operating at realistic loads, would be beneficial to this analysis.