Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version.

If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options.

Abstract. In the agriculture industry, in-field efficiency is growing in significance; matching implements to tractors is the primary factor that effects performance efficiency. Currently, testing tractor attributes such as power take-off (PTO) power and fuel consumption is done in a controlled lab environment. However, in-field quantification of these attributes is necessary to gain a full understanding of the machine‘s performance. This research is focused on two primary objectives: developing a data acquisition system to measure real-time tractor performance at varying machine states during field operations, and quantifying specific performance characteristics. These characteristics include power take-off torque and speed, fuel consumption, speed, and elevation. This is accomplished by using an NCTE Torque Sensor, AIC Flow Meter, and RTK GPS. Both the torque sensor and flow meter were validated in a testing lab using a power take-off dynamometer and fuel scale. Preliminary in-field testing was completed on a 90 HP Mahindra tractor; data from the initial testing yielded results that prove that the system can be used to quantify the necessary performance characteristics. Looking forward, this methodology will be used to test multiple, different sized tractors with varying implements. This data will provide operators with the information necessary to more efficiently pair tractors and implements.