Tractor Power Take-off Research Articles

Strip tillage width effects on sunflower seed emergence and yield

Strip tillage is a conservation practice in which narrow strips, generally totaling less than 50% of the field area, are tilled. We hypothesized that strip tillage would be beneficial for long-term soil quality improvement, erosion control, and environmental protection because it also protects crop residues so they can cover and continuously protect the soil surface. A two-year field experiment with three replicates was conducted to quantify effects of three strip widths on selected soil physical properties, seed emergence and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus). A powered row crop rotary hoe which is a group of narrow rotary tillers spaced evenly along the width of the toolbar and powered by the tractor power take-off was used to till soil in strips. The rotary hoe was equipped with C-type blades and was used to till strip widths of 37.5, 30 and 22.5cm by changing the blade position and number of flanges on each row of the rotary hoe. A constant rotor rotational speed (370rpm), forward tractor speed (5.4kmh−1) and tillage depth (10cm) were used to create the three strip widths that corresponded to tilled zones encompassing 50, 40, and 30% of the field area, respectively. A pneumatic seeder with 75cm row intervals was used for planting. The results show that as strip width increased, soil temperature increased but soil moisture content decreased due to evaporation loss from the tilled surface of the strips. Sunflower seed emergence ranged from 67 to 93%, with the lowest levels occurring with 22.5cm strips. Plant length and stalk diameter also increased as strip width increased. Seed yields for the two years also increased with strip width, averaging 4.4, 4.1, and 3.9Mgha−1 for the 37.5, 30 and 22.5cm strip widths, respectively. Based on these results, although seed yield was least for the 22.5cm strip width, tractor fuel efficiency was greatest for that width and the soil tended to retain more moisture for that width, compared to the 30 and 37.5cm widths, so the 22.5cm strip width is recommended to the eastern Turkey.

Determination of the effect of biodiesel use on power take-off performance characteristics of an agricultural tractor in a test laboratory

Tractor performance tests conducted under laboratory test conditions are important because these tests determine the performance characteristics used to compare strengths and weaknesses of tractors. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of diesel fuel (B0) and 3 different biodiesel blends made of canola oil (B10, B20, B30) on tractor power take-off (PTO) performance characteristics. Performance characteristics studied were PTO power, engine torque, engine fuel consumption, and specific fuel consumption on an agricultural tractor (Massey Ferguson 3056 2WD) at the test laboratory of the Directorate of Agricultural Machinery Test Center (TAMTEST), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ankara, Turkey. The maximum PTO power (32.35 ± 0.06 kW), the minimum specific fuel consumption (288.72 ± 0.11 g Kw^{-1} h^{-1}), and the minimum fuel consumption (11.08 ± 0.13 L h^{-1}) were achieved by using B20 at an engine speed of 2100 min^{-1}. The nominal engine speed for petrodiesel was 2200 min^{-1}, whereas the greatest engine power was accomplished at 2100 min^{-1} for all biodiesel blends. Even though 2%-4% reduction was obtained in fuel consumption by using biodiesel blends at 2100 min^{-1}, the mean fuel consumption was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05), whereas average fuel consumption was higher with petrodiesel at 2200 min^{-1} (P < 0.05). It was concluded that B20 (20% biodiesel + 80% petrodiesel) could be a more efficient alternative to petrodiesel fuel.

Technical Note: Pressurized Injection of Animal Slurry in Growing Cereal Crops

Injection of animal slurry into the soil for a growing crop can reduce the impact on the environment and the surroundings. However, yield can be adversely affected due to crop damage caused by the injection operation. This study focused on developing and testing tines for injecting the liquid fraction of separated slurry into soil. The aim was to design a shallow tine combining soil opening and pressurized injection. The analysis focuses on draft force requirements. Three pressurized injection tines with nozzles pointing forward, downward, and rearward were developed for injecting separated slurry into soil for growing crops. The horizontal and vertical force requirements for each of the nozzle configurations were measured. Using pressurized injection with jets pointing rearward reduced the horizontal draft force by approximately 20% compared to operating the tine without jets. The energy saved for driving the tine is more than counterbalanced by the increased energy consumption to build up the pressure in the tine. However, this extra energy has to be delivered through the tractor power take-off, which in some cases can be a more effective means of energy transfer than the driving wheels.

Mechanical harvesting of pistachio nuts

An inertia type limb shaker, hydraulically powered and driven by the tractor power take-off, was used for mechanical harvesting of pistachio nuts. The study included optimum frequency and amplitude to obtain maximum fruit removal percentage, harvesting rate of the shaker and comparisons with other harvesting methods. Harvesting rate was calculated by weighing both the harvested and unharvested pistachio nuts. In the tests the limbs of trees were shaken at 40, 50, 60 mm amplitude of the connecting rod attached to the crankshaft and 10, 15, 20 Hz frequencies. The results were analyzed according to the maximum fruit removal percentage. Shaking time was 10 s for all of the frequency and amplitude tests. Maximum fruit removal (100%) was achieved by operating the shaker at amplitude of 60 mm and a frequency of 20 Hz. But closely results were achieved at amplitude of 50 mm and a frequency of 20 Hz. At this amplitude and frequency, fruit removal was 95.5%. The shaker caused excessive vibration of the frame when it was operated at great amplitudes. Therefore, amplitude of 50 mm and a frequency of 20 Hz for mechanical harvesting of pistachio nut trees can be suggested. In addition, it was found that the most appropriate harvesting time for Kirmizi variety of pistachio nut is the first week of September. Because, the ratio of fruit detachment force (FDF) to fruit weight (W) measurements, performed at different maturity times, was 6.8 N/g at the first week of September.

Mechanical Harvesting of Apricots

An inertia type limb shaker hydraulically, powered and driven by the tractor power take-off, was designed and constructed for the mechanical harvesting of apricots. The study included some properties of apricot fruits, the apparent stiffness with respect to limb diameter, the time needed to shake a limb, optimum frequency and amplitude to obtain maximum fruit removal with minimum reactive force, limb amplitude, the effects of limb and tree properties on the fruit removal percentage, fruit damage, harvesting rate of the shaker; and comparisons with other harvesting methods. Harvesting rate was calculated by weighing both the harvested and unharvested apricot fruits. Fruit damage was evaluated from the modulus of elasticity of apricot fruit before and after harvesting. In order to study fruit damage, the effect of surface of different materials were examined: plastic canvas; nylon; and sponge. In the tests, the limbs were shaken at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 mm amplitude of the connecting rod attached to the crankshaft and 10, 15 and 20 Hz frequencies for optimum shaking time. The results were analysed according to the maximum fruit removal percentage. The limb amplitude was calculated using the apparent stiffness, masses of shaking mechanism, shaker arm and reduced mass of limb. Shaking time, frequency and amplitude for a limb were found as 5 s, 15 Hz, and 40 mm, respectively. Limb position, limb length and tree size affected the fruit removal percentage at the 5% significance level. The least fruit damage was obtained with the plastic canvas catching surface. The time required to harvest an apricot tree by hand and by traditional and mechanical harvesting methods were 400, 20, and 6 min, respectively. The inertia type limb shaker showed great promise and did not cause any damage to the limb and bark.

Proposed design modifications to reduce risk of operating rotary field mowers.

The primary objective of this project was to reduce risk of injury associated with operating a rotary mower driven by a tractor power take-off (PTO) by developing and evaluating design improvements and determining their economic feasibility. Researchers have concluded that alteration of machinery design has a greater impact on the reduction of accidents than safety training. Implementation of an Operator Presence Sensing System (OPSS) and removal of the PTO are the two injury-reducing, engineering modifications evaluated by this research. Hydraulic power allows this to occur by providing dynamic braking, few moving parts (removal of the PTO), and controllable power. A hydraulic circuit was developed to power the mower and to enable an OPSS. Tractor hydraulics were simulated using a hydraulic training bench. Two mower configurations were tested: 6.55 cm3 rev(-1) (0.4 in.3 rev(-1)) displacement motor with a 0.748 kg blade and 47.5 cm3 rev(-1) (2.9 in.3 rev(-1)) displacement motor with a 9.4 kg blade. A PTO-driven rotary mower was not used to test the circuit due to spatial and safety limitations of the hydraulic training bench. Results from the first mower configuration verified the concepts behind the hydraulic circuit. The second configuration verified the OPSS and indicated the applicability of the circuit to a rotary mower.

Hydraulically powered soil core sampler and its application to soil density and porosity estimation

The design of a hydraulically powered soil core sampler used to collect undisturbed soil samples at different depths in the field is presented. The hydraulic actuation of the coring probe reduces the physical effort and time required by the operators. The device is constructed from a three-point hitch frame equipped with a gearbox, retractable legs, hydraulic cylinder and probe. The legs are driven from the tractor power takeoff shaft through a gearbox that can change the direction of rotation of worm gear shaft. The worm gears drive power screws that extend the legs to hold part of the tractor weight. The tractor auxiliary hydraulic power actuates the cylinder to push the probe into the soil. The device was tested in the field successively to collect soil samples for physical properties measurements. The results from the field compaction study of the hydraulically powered soil core sampler confirmed that the system could rapidly collect soil cores for measuring soil properties. Changes in soil physical properties caused by a KUBOTA M8030 tractor with 18.4 R30 tires at 100 kPa with a loaded 1500 kg seed drill mounted on the tractor were measured for soil samples obtained by the soil core sampler and by the manual sampling method. The bulk density and total porosity data from this field experiment showed that significant effects were present down to a depth of 50 cm. In addition, the results obtained using the soil core sampler were close to those obtained by the manual sampling method.

RESEARCHES ACHIEVED CONCERNING THE DIRECT SEEDING COMBINER`S DYNAMICS

The minimal work method is a concept that has gained approval in a shorter period of time than the necessary one to adopt maize hybrids 50 years ago. Direct seeding is the most important method of saving power and of preserving the soil’s production capacity. The experimental field was set on the lands of the Didactic Station from B.U.A.S.V.M. Timisoara on a vertic chernozem. The object submitted to experimental research was represented by the aggregate comprising the direct seeding machine Massey Ferguson MF 354 TSB and the tractor U-650 M. The objective of the experimental research regarding the dynamics of the work system tractor – direct seeding machine has led to: the determination of forces which act in the coupling points between machine and tractor (traction power and pressing power); the determination of the twisting moment transmitted to machine through the tractor power take-off shaft; According to the processing and analysis of the data achieved during our experimental researches, could elaborate a series of conclusions, the most important of them being presented synthetically as following: The average traction power Ft med has values of 469,1 daN in the step III L and 530,0 daN in the step IV L; The average pressure force Fa med increases from 285,0 daN in the step II L up to the maximal value of 391,0 daN in the step IV L; The moment resistant to the power take-off shaft Map med is between 1,3 daNm in the step II L and 8,3 daNm in the step IV L. The values of the moment resistant to the power take-off shaft are low, indifferently of the velocity step used, because only the ventilator of the direct seeding machine is hydrostatically acted by the tractor power take-off and the energy required is reduced; The protection and preservation of soil fertility by implementing the direct seeding technology in the maize crop under the conditions of high-level crops with low costs represents a facile solution that may be applied in pedo-climatic areas similar to those from the researched areas