Existing methods for studying the energy indicators of agricultural units require large monetary and material costs, so finding a simpler and less expensive method for energy assessment of mobile units is relevant. In solving this problem, the main energy elements were adopted as initial ones: the efficiency of the mover and the coefficient taking into account the loss of mechanical energy due to deformation of the mover and the surface on which it rolls. A pneumatic wheel under steady-state operation was considered. Rolling of the drive wheel with deformation of its rim and the surface on which it rolls is a complex phenomenon, so the parameters characterizing the rolling process are determined in practice only approximately. Based on the reciprocity theorem, it is possible to write a relationship linking the linear velocities of two conditional wheels with the forces tangential to them. The solution method we have chosen, which is based on reciprocity theorems, allows us to schematize these phenomena and use conditional (reduced) parameters. To find the efficiency of the caterpillar drive and energy losses due to soil deformation, it is proposed to determine only two experimental values: the coefficient of mechanical losses in the transmission and the slip coefficient. It is necessary to calibrate the tractor during stationary testing, and the mechanical losses should be taken into account completely - from the engine to the final link of the drive.