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Energy Efficiency: Field Machinery Operation
John NowatzkiAg Machine Systems Specialist NDSU Extension Service
Vern HofmanProfessor EmeritusAgricultural & Biosystems Engineering Department
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Introduction Fuel Use by Field Operation Tractor Traction Technology Regular Maintenance Schedule Conservation Tillage Energy Saving Practices
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Fuel Use by Field Operation
Grain Drill .6 Row Crop Planter .3 Combine 1.3 – 1.9 Round Baler .7 Corn Chopper (pt) 3.3 Mower/Conditioner .4
Gallons/Acre
Farm Machinery Economic Cost Estimates For 2005University of Minnesota
404/22/23
Fuel Use by Field Operation
Chisel Plow .6 Moldboard Plow 1.3 Field Cultivator .5 Tandem Disc .4 Stalk Shredder .7
Farm Machinery Economic Cost Estimates For 2005University of Minnesota
504/22/23
Tractor Traction Technology
Bias or Radial Tires?
Radials 5–7% Advantage
Michelin Agricultural Tires
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Tractor Traction Technology
Bias or Radial Tires? Operate Radial Tire Pressures at 6 psi. Operate Bias Tires at or above 14 psi. Limit Tire Load to Manufacturer’s
Recommendations
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Tractor Traction Technology
Bias or Radial Tires? Increase Tire Pressure when using
Mounted Equipment Tire Slippage: 8-15%
Higher range for 4WD Tractors Check Tire Pressure Regularly Note: Less Soil Compaction with Lower
Tire Pressure
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Tractor Traction Technology
Singles, Duals, Triples or Tracks?
Duals andTracks showSimilar Efficiency
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Tractor Traction Technology
Singles, Duals, Triples?
Triples ReduceEfficiency
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Tractor Traction Technology
Tracked Tractors Less Slippage, Little Difference in Power Delivery No “power hop” Maintain Efficiency
Over Wider Range of Conditions
Less Steering Control Higher Costs
Wheels Equally Efficient with 5% Wheel Slippage
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Tractor Traction Technology
Other Traction Issues Soil Compaction
Least: Radial Tires with 7 psi inflation Most: Tires with 24 psi inflation Tracked Tractors Usually Leave Narrower
Field Track than Tires Yield Effects
Iowa State Study: Tires Reduced Yield
1204/22/23
Regular Maintenance
Periodic Engine Tune-up Scheduled Filter Changes Properly Adjusted Tillage Equipment
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Conservation Tillage
Fuel Savings From No-Till
Fuel Cost/Acre1
No-Till Conventional Savings
Canola $9.27 $9.52 $.25
Corn 14.06 16.94 2.88
Soybeans 10.48 10.96 .48
Wheat 10.37 10.91 .54
Average 11.04 12.08 1.04
1. ND Farm and Ranch Business Management Annual Report 2005
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Conservation Tillage
Strip Tillage
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Conservation Tillage
Strip Tillage Effect on Corn Emergence
I Day SoonerThan No-Till
1604/22/23
Energy Saving Practices
GPS Guidance
5-10% Less Overlap
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Energy Saving Practices
Tillage Costs Is the Operation Necessary? Use Right Gear and Throttle Setting. Proper Ballasting and Tire Inflation
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Energy Saving Practices
General Practices Don’t Let Engine Idle Excessively Use the Right Fuel Match Tractor to Implement Size
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More Information
http://134.129.78.3/geospatial
John Nowatzki, NDSU Extension State Specialist
Telephone: 701-231-8213
Email: [email protected]
