Microcomputer-Based, Tractor Data Acquisition System

ABSTRACT A tractor-mounted, microcomputer-based instrumen-tation system was developed for monitoring the energy inputs to implements powered by the specially outfitted 75-PTO kW tractor. The system measures and records ground speed, fuel consumption, implement draft, axle speed, and axle torque. From these data, axle power, drawbar power, drive wheel slip, and fuel con-sumption per unit area processed by an implement can be analytically determined.