Traction performance simulation for mechanical front wheel drive tractors: towards a practical computer tool

An analytical model to simulate the traction performance of mechanical front wheel drive MFWD tractors was developed at the Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon ART. The model was validated via several field tests in which the relationship between drawbar pull and slip was measured for four MFWD tractors of power ranging between 40 and 123 kW on four arable soils of different texture (clay, clay loam, silty loam, and loamy sand). The pulling tests were carried out in steady-state controlling the pulling force along numerous corridors. Different configurations of tractors were considered by changing the wheel load and the tyre pressure. Simulations of traction performance matched experimental results with good agreement (mean error of 8% with maximum and minimum values of 17% and 1% respectively). The model was used as framework for developing a new module for the excel application TASCV3.0.xlsm, a practical computer tool which compares different tractor configurations, soil textures and conditions, in order to determine variants which make for better traction performance, this resulting in saving fuel and time, i.e. reducing the costs of tillage management.