PERFORMANCE OF THREE AGRICULTURAL TRACTORS IN DRAWBAR TEST

Abstract

The performance evaluation of agricultural tractors, according on the soil condition, it is important to identify the maximum drawbar pull and fuel consumption according to the level of effort required. The objective was to perform drawbar tests to determine the performance of agricultural tractors on firm soil. Three models of tractors MFWD, and six levels of effort (drawbar pull) on the drawbar (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 27 kN) were evaluated. For tractor factor, the means were compared by Tukey test, and the drawbar pull factor, the means were adjusted by regression equations. The lower energy performance was obtained with the tractor that operated with higher engine speed. There was an increasing linear behavior as a function of traction force to the parameters hourly consumption, power and efficiency to the drawbar and nonlinear fit for skating and specific fuel consumption.