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Selection of Tractors for Tillage Operation Under Bangladesh Conditions

M. N. lslam
Lecturer
Department of Manufacturing and Quality Systems University of Western Sydney Macarthur, Cambelltown 2560 Australia

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Fourteen tractors were tested for determining their various selection parameters. The present study dealt with the field performance parameters (effective field capacity, fuel consumption per unit time and fuel consumption per unit tilled area) of available tractors to determine the best suited tractor for tillage operation under Bangladesh conditions. The tractors were selected based on the maximum effective field capacity and the minimum fuel consumption per unit tilled area. According to the test criteria the MF-375 tractor was most suitable among the types of tractors available in Bangladesh. The effective field capacity and the fuel consumption per unit tilled area of MF-375 tractor were 0.48 ha/h and 16.00 L/h, respectively. As the higher effective field capacity is desired by most farmers/user, the results of the present study should be helpful to them prior to the purchase of tractors.

Keywords: Tractor, Tillage, Machinery

Location: Machinery and Power Sources, the Department of Farm Power and Machinery of Bangladesh Agricultural University and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Validation

Objectives:

To prepare a comparative report for the selection of suitable tractors based on the maximum effective field capacity and the minimum fuel consumption at the rated nominal power of tractor during tillage operation and to recommend a suitable tractor for tillage operation under Bangladesh conditions.

Methodology:

The field tests of the tractors were carried out in the farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University both in dry and wet soil conditions. The farm soil belongs to the category of sandy, sandy-loam, clay and clay-loam type. The length of test fields were limited to 50 m. The implements used for different operations were mold board plow, disk plow, disk harrow and rotary tillers or rotavator. The moisture content of the soil during dry land preparation was 25-50 % (d.b.). The puddling operations were done under 10-30 cm standing water. The depth of plowing and harrowing in dry soil condition were 6-12 cm and 16-24 cm, respectively. But in puddling operation the depth of tillage varied from 15-20 cm. The experiments were replicated three times for each gear positions. The field capacity is the rate of tractor performance in terms of the area tilled per unit time. The effective field capacity was deter-mined on the basis of actual area tilled and effective time spent by using eq. 5. The fuel tank of the tractor was completely filled up with diesel fuel before starting tillage operation and it was refilled with fuel by using a fuel measuring glass tube after tilling the desired area of the plot. The amount of fuel required for refilling the fuel tank was equal to the amount of fuel consumed by the tractor for tillage. The fuel consumption per hectare was determined. The time required for tilling a certain area of plot was recorded by a stop watch. The effective working time was determined by subtracting the loss of time from total time for a certain area. The effective field capacity of the tractor in tillage operation was determined based on the effective time and the results presented.

Source of Information: Tractor Agencies of Bangladesh and Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Fourteen tractors of various make and model were tested in the Department of Farm Power and Machinery to determine the field performance parameters (effective field capacity, fuel consumption per unit time and fuel consumption per unit tilled area), kinematic parameters (circumference of turning circle, radius of turning and speed at turning) drawbar and lugging ability (drawbar pull, drawbar power and wheel slip) and seal tests. The test results of kinematic parameters and seal tests were not included in the present study.The analyses of the field performance parameters indicated that MF-375 was the best among the five tractors (FORD-3910, MF-135, MF-240, MF-375 and Belarus YuMz-6AM). Hence, the MF-375 tractor might be recommended for tillage operation under Bangladesh conditions. The methods adopted in the study were simple and possessed certain shortcomings in deter-mining the field performance parameters of tractors. Yet, the authors hoped that the results of the study might be helpful in selecting tractor prior to purchase.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings