Reduction of Fuel Consumption Through Improved Tractive Performance

Abstract Tractive performance and specific fuel consumption were evaluated for a tractor with front mechanical drive assistance over a range of field surfaces. Curves showing the dependence of drawbar power, tractive efficiency and specific fuel consumption on dynamic traction ratio and slip are presented. These curves are used to illustrate the increases in fuel consumption resulting from not operating the tractor at its maximum tractive performance. Depending on the soil surface, minimum specific fuel consumption was achieved at values of slip varying between 10 and 30%. A tractor should be operated at a minimum dynamic traction ratio of 0·4 and at its maximum tractive efficiency to ensure minimum specific fuel consumption. Maximum tractive efficiency was close to 0·9, 0·8 and 0·7 when operating on surfaces which consisted of stubble or which has been produced by chisel or mouldboard ploughing, respectively.