Abstract
A fully instrumented orchard tractor equipped with an Auto Front-wheel-drive (Auto-FWD) managementsystem and a SuperSteer steering system was tested in two different soils (Capay clay and Yolo loam), three different soilconditions (dry-tilled, wet-untilled, and wet-tilled) at two drawbar load levels (high and low) in two different modes ofoperation (positive and negative lead) to determine the effect of mode of operation on fuel efficiency. A theoretical modelwas developed based on the traction prediction equations developed at UC Davis to determine optimum operatingconfigurations. Experimental results did not show significant difference in fuel efficiency between positive and negativelead modes of operation. The theoretical model indicated that optimum operating conditions resulted in slightly bettertractive efficiency than the positive lead mode which in turn was slightly superior to negative lead mode. However, thetheoretical differences were small and this was confirmed experimentally.
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