DYNAMIC EVALUATION FOR ASSEMBLY TRACTOR AGRICULTURAL PERFORMANCE

Abstract

To evaluate the performance of agricultural machinery under field conditions presents difficulties due to load variations along the test track. This study aimed to develop a dynamometer car prepared to measure the performance of agricultural tractors as the power available on the drawbar in different operating conditions. The set was instrumented with load cell, magnetic sensor and flowmeter capable of respectively monitoring force in the drawbar, the number of turns wheels of the tractor and fuel consumption. Three experiments were performed: the first for the assessment of the dynamometer car braking process, the second to evaluate the process of acquiring the number of turns wheels of the tractor and the third for evaluation of fuel consumption. The cases were examined by analysis of variance, mean test and the stability by means of process control charts. The equipment developed for dynamic tractors assessment proved to be able to impose charges to the tractor drawbar and make the collection of data for accurately testing. The force imposed on the bar and fuel consumption achieved expected mean values, however small variations were observed, from controlled variables not related to the process. The adaptation of a magnetic sensor to monitor the number of wheel turns proved effective, with no difference turns as the counted visually and automatically.