Operational performance of an agricultural tractor as a function of weight, inflation pressure and tire life

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the operating performance of an agricultural tractor operating with new and worn tires for distinct tire weight conditions and three inflation pressures. The tests were conducted at the experimental unit of the Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Lavras, with average soil moisture of 25.6% and 14.97 t ha-1 dry matter at the time of testing. The 4x2 TDA tractor was used with an engine output of 65.62 kW (88 HP). The tires were R1 type with the following features: diagonal (front: 12.4-24, rear: 18.4-30), where the average tread heights of the new tire were 30 and 35 mm for front and rear tires respectively, while the worn tires measured 18 mm and 4.5 mm, respectively. The experimental design was setup in randomized blocks arranged in a 2x3x3 factorial arrangement, with 18 treatments and 3 replications. The results showed advantages for the tractor equipped with new tires. Slip was greater when using new tires due to increased strength and power in the drawbar.