An Assessment of Low-Cost Tractor Motorization with Main Farming Implements

Abstract

The objective of the present work is to evaluate the performance of a low-cost tractor equipped with a parallel hybrid engine, which was simulated using AMESim software. The tractor was evaluated with three different farming implements attached to the tractor, and each implement requires a different type of power. The first simulation was executed without any implements attached. The tractor was able to run for 170 s with the electric motor only, which resulted in fuel savings during this period. The first implement, a moldboard plow, was attached for the second round of evaluation, and the electric motor ran by itself for 150 s, which also led to fuel savings during operation. During the third simulation, the tractor was attached to a Bette Harvest, which has a very high-power demand. The obtained results show that both engines were engaged to provide the required energy. During the final round of evaluation, simulations were run for a straw tub grinder. In this simulation, the electric motor ran alone until the battery was fully discharged. Thereafter, the combustion engine was activated in order to facilitate operations and to charge the battery. The results show that the parallel hybrid architecture employed for the low-cost tractor significantly decreased the CO2 emissions and minimized the consumption of fuel.

Simulation-Based Assessment of Energy Consumption of Alternative Powertrains in Agricultural Tractors

“…Over the years, different electrified powertrain topologies have been proposed for vehicles, and as with other types of vehicles, such as city buses [14], the benefit of electrified powertrains for agricultural tractors is typically dependent on the duty cycle or work task carried out with the vehicle. In many scientific and practical research studies [17][18][19]33,34], parallel hybrid electric powertrain topology has been recognized as being suitable for agricultural tractors. One of the main reasons for this could be that it would not need any major modifications to conventional tractor designs but, instead, could be implemented by adding a motor/generator in the place of the flywheel along with a small battery pack or even supercapacitors [20].…”

Effect of Soil Properties and Powertrain Configuration on the Energy Consumption of Wheeled Electric Agricultural Robots

“…Hybrid powertrains in agricultural tractors have received increased research interest in recent years. The different hybrid powertrain types simulated include a parallel hybrid electric powertrain [74], power-split electric continuous variable transmission (e-CVT) [75], and mechanic-electronic-hydraulic powertrain [76]. Lajunen et al conducted a comparison of different powertrain topologies for an agricultural tractor using Autonomie software version 2022 [9].…”

Comprehensive lumped parameter and multibody approach for the dynamic simulation of agricultural tractors with tyre–soil interaction

“…Dynamics are introduced by the engine control logic (the 'governor'), which adjusts z to deliver the torque necessary to maintain the requested engine speed (ω s ), by means of a dedicated proportional-integral controller according to Equation (2), where G 1 and G 2 are the static and dynamic gain, respectively. The equation is represented in the form of a block diagram in Figure 2 (bottom).…”

“…Zahidi et al. [2] presented a simplified numerical model to evaluate the energy consumption of a tractor equipped with a parallel hybrid engine during farming operations. Many researchers have focused on improving the efficiency of the tractor hydraulic systems.…”

“…For instance, Macor and Rossetti [1] investigated the performance of a dual-stage hydromechanical transmission in urban buses by means of a lumped parameter model. Zahidi et al [2] presented a simplified numerical model to evaluate the energy consumption of a tractor equipped with a parallel hybrid engine during farming operations. Many researchers have focused on improving the efficiency of the tractor hydraulic systems.…”