Energy Efficiency: Field Machinery Operation

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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: John.Nowatzki@ndsu.edu