The effect of the tractor driving system on its performance and fuel consumption

Abstract

Improving machine performance and optimum energy usage are great importance in mechanized agriculture. The purpose of the study was to assess the tractor driving system including rear-wheel drive (RWD), four-wheel drive (4WD) and front-wheel drive (FWD) effect on the tractor performance and its fuel use during tillage operation. Then the field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of driving system type. Moreover the tire inflation pressure of 170, 200, and 230 kPa, ballast weights of 0, 60, and 120 kg, and pulling force of 2, 6, and 10 kN on the Goldoni tractor performance were examined. The results indicated that the 4WD system had more impact on the rolling resistance than other factors. The trend of draft force represented that using the 4WD system allows achieving a higher pulling force without exceeding the allowable slip. In comparison, the FWD and RWD systems exceeded the allowable slip of the 6–10 kN draft force. At a pulling force of 2 kN, the minimum fuel consumption was corresponded to the RWD system while the maximum fuel consumption corresponded to the 4WD system. But in the pulling force of 10 kN, the situation was different and the type of driving system had a significant effect on reducing fuel consumption and the minimum fuel consumption was achieved for the 4WD system.