High-clearance Tractor Research Articles

Fitability of the high-clearance tractor with the 4K4 wheel arrangement at the row spacing

The results of laboratory, field and household tests of a tractor model implemented on sowing and row-spacing processing of cotton-plant during the growing season are specified in the article. Agrotechnical evaluation of damage to plants and knockability of cotton fruit elements by machine-tractor unit, consisting of compared tractors and cultivator, showed that knocking down cotton fruit elements in one pass at tractor with 4K4 wheel arrangement is less by 10% compared to tractor with 3K2 wheel arrangement. The fitability of cultivator on basis of a high-clearance mock tractor with 4K4 wheel arrangement on cotton-plant processing in the fruiting stage according to main indicators complies with the standards established in the Initial requirements.

Response of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) leaf chlorophyll content to high heat and low-soil water in the Arizona low desert

The sustainable production of upland cotton, an economically important fiber crop, is threatened by changing environmental factors including high temperatures and low-soil water content. Both high heat and low-soil water can reduce net photosynthesis resulting in low fiber yields or poor fiber quality. Leaf chlorophyll content has a direct relationship with photosynthetic rate. Understanding how high heat and low-soil water affect chlorophyll content can identify opportunities for breeding improvement that will lead to sustainable fiber yields. A two-year field trial located in Maricopa Arizona measured leaf chlorophyll content, available soil water, ambient air temperatures, and cotton growth measurements collected by a high-clearance tractor equipped with proximal sensors. The results showed that low-soil water significantly increased leaf chlorophyll content, while high temperatures significantly reduced content. Structured equation modeling revealed that cotton may divert available resources to leaf area and chlorophyll content for the production of photosynthates during periods of high temperatures.

Dynamic Calculation of a Steering Control of Gantry High-Clearance Tractor Used in Horticulture and Viticulture

The article presents a mathematical model and the results of dynamic calculation of hydraulic steering control of a four-wheel gantry high-clearance tractor, consisting of a distributor, pipelines and a steering mechanism – a hydraulic cylinder. The results of pressure and flow rate changes in the hydraulic cylinder are presented. The results of dynamic calculation can be used to study the process of turning movement of a tractor.

Study of Front Wheel Pressure on the Soil of Tractors with a Different Wheel Configuration

An increase in the power of the high-clearance tractor with the 3K2 wheel configuration (TTZ-811) and the weight of the machines coupled with it has led to an increase in the pressure of its running elements on the soil. The authors have proposed to replace it with a tractor with the 4K2 wheel configuration with an adjustable ground clearance (TTZ-1033), which has several advantages.Research purposeThe study of the effect of the wheel configuration, travel speed and air pressure in the tire on the tractor's front wheel pressure on the soil.Materials and methodsThe authors have analytically determined the relationship between the contact area of a wheel tire with the soil on the tire parameters and the internal air pressure in it. To take measurements, load TAS607 sensors like with specially made nozzles have been used.Results and discussionIt has been found that under similar conditions, the average pressure on the soil in the layer of 10-50 centimeters across the width of the front wheel tire of TTZ-811 is 19.0-27.6 kilopascals more as compared to TTZ-1033. It has been found that an increase in air pressure in the tire from 1.2 to 2.2 megapascals results in a n increase in average front wheel pressure on the soil in the seed layer (0-10 centimeters) of the TTZ-1033 tractor from 61.9 to 70.8 kilopascals, and of the TTZ-811 tractor – from 63.5 to 79.3 kilopascals. It has been revealed that at a depth of 10 centimeters, the pressure of the front wheel of the TTZ‑1033 tractor averaged 84.9-108.2 kilopascals, and at a depth of 50 centimeters – only 12.2-12.8 kilopascals. Under the same conditions, the average pressure` of the TTZ-811 tractor's front wheel decreases from 78.0-113.3 to 15.3-52.8 kilopascals.ConclusionsThe authors have stated that soil compaction with the front wheels of a tractor can be reduced by replacing a tractor with a 3K2 wheel configuration with a tractor with a 4K2 wheel configuration, as well as by increasing the tractor speed.

GPhenoVision: A Ground Mobile System with Multi-modal Imaging for Field-Based High Throughput Phenotyping of Cotton

Imaging sensors can extend phenotyping capability, but they require a system to handle high-volume data. The overall goal of this study was to develop and evaluate a field-based high throughput phenotyping system accommodating high-resolution imagers. The system consisted of a high-clearance tractor and sensing and electrical systems. The sensing system was based on a distributed structure, integrating environmental sensors, real-time kinematic GPS, and multiple imaging sensors including RGB-D, thermal, and hyperspectral cameras. Custom software was developed with a multilayered architecture for system control and data collection. The system was evaluated by scanning a cotton field with 23 genotypes for quantification of canopy growth and development. A data processing pipeline was developed to extract phenotypes at the canopy level, including height, width, projected leaf area, and volume from RGB-D data and temperature from thermal images. Growth rates of morphological traits were accordingly calculated. The traits had strong correlations (r = 0.54–0.74) with fiber yield and good broad sense heritability (H2 = 0.27–0.72), suggesting the potential for conducting quantitative genetic analysis and contributing to yield prediction models. The developed system is a useful tool for a wide range of breeding/genetic, agronomic/physiological, and economic studies.

Performance test and parameter optimization of variable spraying liquid fertilizer machine

The performance test and parameter optimization of variable spraying liquid fertilizer machine was conducted in this research for the uniform spraying of foliar fertilizer. A crop protection of high-clearance tractor with a variable sprayer was used in the experiment. According to the parameter design, three factors and three levels of test were performed based on the Box-Behnken center-united experimental design principles. The performance tests were combined with response surface methodology to analyze spray parameters such as machine walking speed, spray flow rate and plot distance test which would influence Droplet distribution uniformity. A mathematical model was established by using Design-Expert 8.0 software, and the model was analyzed to obtain the optimal combination of spray parameters. The optimized spray parameter combination is: machine walking speed is 4.5km/h, the spray flow rate is 375L/hm2, and the distance between the plots is 3m. Under this condition, the minimum variation coefficient of droplet distribution is 10.759%, and the relative error is 9.1% compared with the model prediction value of 9.78%. The results of the study can provide operators with reasonable operating conditions when fertilizing.

In-Field High-Throughput Phenotyping of Cotton Plant Height Using LiDAR

A LiDAR-based high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) system was developed for cotton plant phenotyping in the field. The HTP system consists of a 2D LiDAR and an RTK-GPS mounted on a high clearance tractor. The LiDAR scanned three rows of cotton plots simultaneously from the top and the RTK-GPS was used to provide the spatial coordinates of the point cloud during data collection. Configuration parameters of the system were optimized to ensure the best data quality. A height profile for each plot was extracted from the dense three dimensional point clouds; then the maximum height and height distribution of each plot were derived. In lab tests, single plants were scanned by LiDAR using 0.5° angular resolution and results showed an R2 value of 1.00 (RMSE = 3.46 mm) in comparison to manual measurements. In field tests using the same angular resolution; the LiDAR-based HTP system achieved average R2 values of 0.98 (RMSE = 65 mm) for cotton plot height estimation; compared to manual measurements. This HTP system is particularly useful for large field application because it provides highly accurate measurements; and the efficiency is greatly improved compared to similar studies using the side view scan.

High throughput phenotyping of cotton plant height using depth images under field conditions

Plant height is an important phenotypic trait that can be used not only as an indicator of overall plant growth but also a parameter to calculate advanced traits such as biomass and yield. Currently, cotton plant height is primarily measured manually, which is laborious and has become a bottleneck for cotton research and breeding programs. The goal of this research was to develop and evaluate a high throughput phenotyping (HTP) system using depth images for measuring cotton plant height under field conditions. For this purpose, a Kinect-v2 camera was evaluated in a static configuration to obtain a performance baseline and in a dynamic configuration to measure plant height in the field. In the static configuration, the camera was mounted on a partially covered wooden frame and oriented towards nadir to acquire depth images of potted cotton plants. Regions of interest of plants were manually selected in the depth images to calculate plant height. In the dynamic configuration, the Kinect-v2 camera was installed inside a partially covered metal-frame that was attached to a high-clearance tractor equipped with real time kinematic GPS. A six-step algorithm was developed to measure the maximum and average heights of individual plots by using the depth images acquired by the system. System performance was evaluated on 108 plots of cotton plants. Results showed that the Kinect-v2 camera could acquire valid depth images of cotton plants under field conditions, when a shaded environment was provided. The plot maximum and average heights calculated by the proposed algorithm were strongly correlated (adjusted R2=0.922–0.987) with those measured manually with accuracies of over 92%. The average processing time was 0.01s to calculate the heights of a plot that typically has 34 depth images, indicating that the proposed algorithm was computationally efficient. Therefore, these results confirmed the ability of the HTP system with depth images to measure cotton plant height under field conditions accurately and rapidly. Furthermore, the imaging-based system has great potential for measuring more complicated geometric traits of plants, which can significantly advance field-based HTP system development in general.

Development and Feasibility of Innovative Relay Seeders for Seeding Wheat into Standing Cotton Using a High Clearance Tractor in Cotton-Wheat System

<abstract> <b>Abstract</b> Wheat planting after cotton is usually delayed due to late cotton picking and time necessary for seedbed preparation, resulting in low wheat yield. Few farmers sow wheat through broadcasting in standing cotton for timely sowing except on a small scale. This methodology also has limitations of poor germination and low fertilizer use efficiency. To study feasibility of relay seeding of wheat in cotton, two prototypes of innovative relay seeders (RSs) (suitable for 67.5 and 101 cm row spacing) with three types of furrow openers: strip till rotor (STR), zero till inverted T-type (ZTT), and zero till double disc (ZTDD) were developed and evaluated for their performance under two cotton genotypes. The average forward speed of travel of ZTDD openers was 9.3% and 16.6% more compared with STR and ZTT openers, respectively. STR openers consumed more fuel (12.36 L ha-1) than ZTT (8.57 L ha-1) and ZTDD openers (9.15 L ha-1). The field capacity for 12- and 15-row RS was 0.22 and 0.25 ha h-1, respectively. The average power consumption for operating the three types of furrow openers was 6.4 and 8.4 hp for 12- and 15-row RS, respectively. Number of cotton bolls detached from plants due to operation of tractor-mounted RS was significantly lower in 101 cm cotton row spacing compared with 67.5 cm row spacing. Overall loss of cotton bolls due to the movement of tractor and RSs was under 2%. The average number of bolls detached from the plant was about 29% less for ZTDD furrow openers compared with STR and ZTT openers. Germination count of relay seeded wheat with STR and ZTDD furrow openers was 23% and 26% more compared with ZTT openers, respectively. The breakeven point for RS was achieved when total area sown annually exceeded 5 ha and wheat yield gain over the conventional practice is 0.5 t ha-1. This study demonstrates that seeding of wheat in standing cotton is feasible with 4-wheel high clearance tractor-driven innovative RS with cotton damage under 2%.

A Dynamic Instability Detection and Prediction System for High Clearance Tractor

Abstract: High clearance tractors are often operated on rough terrain with high rollover risk, which would result in operator injury. This paper introduces a high clearance tractor rollover detection and risk prediction system, developed with multi-sensing technologies and embedded device. Mathematical model was firstly established and coded to calculate the stability index of tested machine. GPS and inertial sensors were utilized to obtain the machine parameters for index calculation. Mobile software was developed with the function of image and sound warning for machine operator. Experiments were conducted to indentify the effect of velocity, slope angle, rotation velocities on tractor stability. Obtained results indicated the validity of developed model and prediction system.

Taking the Phenomics Revolution into the Field

Taking the <i>Phenomics Revolution</i> into the Field

First Generation European Corn Borer Control, 1993

Abstract Twelve insecticides were evaluated for control of 1st generation ECB larvae. The test plot was planted in a second-year corn field on the UK Spindletop Research Farm in Fayette County on 7 May as a randomized block design with 3 replicates. Individual plots consisted of 2 rows, 24 m long, with 96.5 cm row spacing. Plants within each plot were artificially infested with newly hatched 1st instar ECB. Larvae were mixed with corn cob grits and delivered into the whorls by Bazooka applicator at a rate of 40 larvae per plant on 21 Jun. M-Peril 5G, Pounce 1.5G, and the 4 Lorsban 15G granular formulations were applied in a band over the whorl stage corn using a Noble applicator driven by electric motor and mounted on a high-clearance tractor. Liquid insecticides were applied using a Solo-backpack sprayer at 20 psi and 33 gpa. All treatments were applied 24 Jun. Ten stalks were removed from each plot, split and the numbers of ECB caused cavities recorded on 14 Jul. Data were subjected to ANOVA and treatment means were compared to the control by LSD.

First Generation European Corn Borer Control, 1992

Abstract Nine insecticides were evaluated for control of 1st generation European corn borer larvae. The test was planted in a lst-year corn field in the UK Spindletop Research Farm in Fayette County on 17 Apr as a randomized block design with 3 replicates. Individual plots consisted of 2 rows, 19 m long, with 96.5 cm row spacing. Counter 20 CR was applied as a T-band at planting, while M-Peril 5 G and Lorsban 15 G granules were applied in a band over the whorl stage corn using a Gandy applicator driven by electric motor and mounted on a high-clearance tractor. Liquid insecticides were applied using high-clearance tractor sprayer at 40 psi and 26 gal finished spray per acre, except for Penncap-M and TD-2328-01 which were applied with 16 gal finished spray pre acre. All insecticide applications, with the exception of Counter 20 CR were made on 11 Jun. Ten stalks per plot were destructively sampled and the number of European corn borers recorded on 18 Jun. Ten stalks were removed from each plot, split and the numbers of European corn borer tunnels recorded on 13-14 Jul. Data were subject to ANOVA and treatment means were compared to the control by LSD (SAS Institute).

First Generation European Corn Borer Control, 1992

Abstract Nine insecticides were evaluated for control of 1st generation European corn borer larvae. The test was planted in a lst-year corn field in the UK Spindletop Research Farm in Fayette County on 17 Apr as a randomized block design with 3 replicates. Individual plots consisted of 2 rows, 19 m long, with 96.5 cm row spacing. Counter 20 CR was applied as a T-band at planting, while M-Peril 5 G and Lorsban 15 G granules were applied in a band over the whorl stage corn using a Gandy applicator driven by electric motor and mounted on a high-clearance tractor. Liquid insecticides were applied using high-clearance tractor sprayer at 40 psi and 26 gal finished spray per acre, except for Penncap-M and TD-2328-01 which were applied with 16 gal finished spray pre acre. All insecticide applications, with the exception of Counter 20 CR were made on 11 Jun. Ten stalks per plot were destructively sampled and the number of European corn borers recorded on 18 Jun. Ten stalks were removed from each plot, split and the numbers of European corn borer tunnels recorded on 13-14 Jul. Data were subject to ANOVA and treatment means were compared to the control by LSD (SAS Institute).

Evaluation of Insecticides for Control of Soybean Insects in South Mississippi, 1988

Abstract Eleven insecticide treatments were evaluated on 4 row (40 inch centers) by 50 ft long plots arranged in a randomized block design with 4 replications at the South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station, Poplarville, MS. Plots were planted 12 May. Treatments were applied 21 Sep with a high clearance tractor equipped with 2, TX-3 nozzles per row calibrated for 5 gal total volume/acre. One sample consisting of 25 sweeps with a 15 inch diam net was taken from the center 2 rows of each plot on 21 and 27 Sep. The contents of each sample were anesthetized with ether, transferred to paper bags and counted in the laboratory.

Evaluation of Several Insecticides for Control of a Univoltine Population Of European Corn Borer in Pennsylvania, 1986

Abstract No-till corn plots, 4 rows (30-inch row spacing) × 25 ft, were established using a randomized complete block design to evaluate the efficacy of insecticides used for European corn borer control. Eight chemical treatments and an untreated plot were randomly assigned to corn plots within each of the 6 blocks. Chemical treatments were timed by sampling ECB egg masses to estimate the period of peak egg deposition. Treatments were applied on 30 Jun when the majority of egg masses were in the blackhead stage. Granular formulations were applied in a 7-inch band over the rows using Gandy® granular applicators mounted on a high clearance tractor. Treatment plots were evaluated on 9 Sep by dissecting 20 consecutive plants/plot (from one of the center rows) and counting the number of surviving ECB larvae/plant. Plots were harvested on 13 Nov from 120 row-ft (three center rows) using a 3-row harvester. Yield from each plot was adjusted to bu/acre and a 15.5% moisture content.

Evaluation of Dipel 8L for Heliothis SPP. Control in Mississippi, 1986

Abstract Three rates of Dipel 8L alone and in combination with Galecron 4E were evaluated at the Delta Branch Experiment Station, Stoneville, MS. Plots were 12 rows (40 inch centers) by 520 ft long and were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Cotton was planted 6 May and later thinned to approximately 20,000 plants/acre. Treatments were applied 26 Jul and 7 Aug by high clearance tractor equipped with 2 TX-4 nozzles per row calibrated for a total volume of 5 gal/acre. All plots received insecticide applications for early season thrips, boll weevil and aphids as needed throughout the season. In addition, Cymbush 3E at 0.05 lb (AI)/acre was applied to the untreated check plots on 12 Aug to prevent further yield loss by Heliothis spp. larvae. Cymbush 3E plus Bolstar 6E plus Guthion 2L at 0.05, 0.5 and 0.2 lb (AI)/acre, respectively, were applied on 19 Aug to suppress Heliothis spp. larvae, boll weevil, and aphids in all plots. Field data were obtained by whole plant search of 5 plants at 2 locations within the center 4 rows of each plot. Data from 12 Aug were obtained from 5 plants at 3 locations in the center 4 rows of each plot. Predator populations were sampled by taking 25 sweeps from the center 4 rows of each plot with a 15 inch diam sweep net on 12 Aug. The Heliothis spp. larval population on 23 Jul prior to treatment indicated an average of 2.7 small worms (&amp;lt;0.25 inches long), 3.0 medium worms (&amp;gt;0.25 &amp;lt;0.5 inches long) and 3.9 large worms (&amp;gt;0.5 inches long) per 10 plants.

Evaluation of Insecticides for Control of Tarnished Plant Bug on Cotton in Mississippi, 1986

Abstract Sixteen insecticide treatments were evaluated on 4 row (40 inch centers) by 49 ft long plots arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications at the Delta Branch Experiment Station, Stoneville, MS. Plots were planted 6 May in a 4 row skip pattern with mustard planted (23 Apr) in the center two rows of the 4 row skip to encourage plant bug establishment. Plots were delimited by alleys formed by cultivating across the rows between plots with a 4 row cultivator. The mustard was cut on 12 Jun and the plant bug population was allowed to establish on the cotton. Insecticides were applied 16 and 20 Jun with a high clearance tractor equipped with 3 TX-3 nozzles per row with 15 inch drops between rows. Evaluations were made by shaking the plants on 3 row ft of two rows onto a 40 inch square cloth and counting plantbugs and beneficial insects.

The Insectavac: A High-Clearance, High-Volume Arthropod Vacuuming Platform for Agricultural Ecosystems

A high-clearance tractor—the Insectavac—was constructed to facilitate the sampling of arthropods in field crops over large land masses. Mean catch rates varied from 14 to 64%, depending on the species sampled. The Insectavac consistently caught more insects on a per-unit basis than a standard, 38.10-cm sweep-net. Because the Insectavac greatly reduces the hand labor required to sample arthropod populations, large sample sizes can be collected with relatively small increases in labor. The Insectavac lends itself particularly well to sampling of parasites, predators, Lygus spp., adult and 1st- to 3rd-instar bollworms and other easily dislodged arthropods in cotton, and thus facilitiates the quantification of beneficial/prey ratios of this insect complex under field conditions. The Insectavac may work with equal or better precision in other cropping systems, particularly those with upright and compact growing requirements.

Insect Control on Sweet Corn, Spring, 1982

Abstract ‘Goldcup’ sweet corn was planted 16 Apr. in Myakka fine sand on the Univ. of Florida Agric. Res. and Educ. Cent, in Sanford. Counter 15G 2 lb (AI)/acre and Lasso 15G 3 lb (AI)/acre were incorporated in 15 in bands at planting time. Pydrin 2.4EC 0.1 lb (AI)/acre was applied to the entire experiment on 5 May to control a severe infestation of fall armyworm which threatened the entire experiment. A plot consisted of four 30 ft rows with 30 in row spacing and 12 in plant spacing, plots were separated by one unsprayed row. Treatments were replicated in five randomized complete blocks separated by 20 ft weed-free alleys. Sprays were applied with a CO2-pressurized sprayer mounted on a Hustler high-clearance tractor. Three nozzles (D2-25) were used per row; one overhead and one drop on each side. The delivery rate was 32 gal/acre with a boom pressure of about 40 lb/in2 and a speed of 3 mph. Applications were made on 13 and 19 May, and 3, 7, 10, and 14 June. Twenty ears were sampled from each plot; 10 from each of the two middle rows. The frequency of the tassels that showed evidence of The frequency of tip, side, and base damage to the ear, and silk bud damage was recorded on 1 June, clipping was recorded on 16 June.