Abstract
In order to optimize tractor design and optimize efficiency during tillage operation, it is essential to verify the impact through field tests on factors affecting the tractor load. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of tillage depth on power transmission efficiency of 42 kW power agricultural tractor during moldboard plowing. A load measurement system and a tillage depth measurement system were configured for field tests. To analyze the effect of tillage depth on power transmission efficiency and fuel consumption, the data measured in the three-repeated field test were classified according to tillage depth. As the tillage depth increased from 11 cm at the top of the hardpan to 23 cm at the deepest, the required power of the engine increased by approximately 13% from 35.48 kW to 40.11 kW, and the power transmission efficiency also increased significantly from 66% to 95%. Among them, the power transmission efficiency of the rear axle was significantly increased from 38% to 59%, which was the most affected. As the tillage depth increased, the overall power requirement is greatly increased due to the resulting workload, but the fuel consumption and the specific fuel consumption are reduced because the engine speed of the tractor is reduced. As the tillage depth increased from 11 cm to 23 cm, the fuel consumption rate was rather reduced by 13.5% as the engine rotational speed decreased 11.3% due to the increase work load of tractor. In addition, the specific fuel consumption decreased from 302.44 g/kWh to 236.93 g/kWh, showing a fuel consumption saving of up to 21.7% during moldboard plow. In addition, as the tillage depth increased, the ratio of the value excluding the mechanical and hydraulic power requirements has significantly decreased from 34% to 5% as the power transmission efficiency increases. This study considers the soil properties according to the soil depth, as well as the power transmission efficiency and fuel consumption rate. The research results can provide useful information for research on power transmission efficiency and selection of an appropriate power source of agricultural tractor according to tillage depth during moldboard plowing and are expected to be used in various ways as basic studies of digital farming research in agricultural machinery.
Highlights
The global agricultural machinery market is increasing rapidly, with predicted market size expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% in 2017–2022 relative to 2012–2017.In particular, farm tractors account for the highest market share, at more than 35% of the whole agricultural machinery market [1]
The field test using an underground crop harvester attached to a tractor was conducted to analyze the power requirements according to transmission gear selection during tractor operation [13]; the results showed that the required power of the wheel axle increased by 34% at a high traveling speed
The power requirement and fuel consumption of tractor were analyzed in disc harrow systems [14]; the results showed that fuel consumption during the tillage operation can be minimized by selecting an engine speed that is approximately 70–80% of the rated speed
Summary
The global agricultural machinery market is increasing rapidly, with predicted market size expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% in 2017–2022 relative to 2012–2017.In particular, farm tractors account for the highest market share, at more than 35% of the whole agricultural machinery market [1]. Optimal designs of agricultural machinery are urgently required to secure competitiveness in the growing global market [2]. The tractor load is a key indicator of farming characteristics, so it is essential to analyze factors affecting the load [6]. It is necessary to analyze the working load of the tractor during operation. This is because its load characteristics are affected by various factors such as soil properties, operation type, traveling speed, gear selection, tillage implement shape, vehicle width, and tillage depth [7]. An analysis of the load on agricultural tractors during field operation is important in order to achieve their optimal design [8]
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