A Comparison of the Field Performance of Two Automatic Draft Control Systems Installed on an MF-399 Tractor

Performances of electronic and mechanical draft control systems on a MF399 tractor were the objectives of the study to be evaluated and compared under field conditions. Hence, the effects of two draft control systems (mechanical and electronic) under four ground speed levels and three set values of draft levels on rear wheel slippage, fuel consumption, compressive force within the top link and tillage depth in a sandy loam soil were assessed by conducting an experiment of a randomized complete block design. Results obtained from the statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant decrease in mean values of slippage as well as in fuel consumption when the system equipped with electronic control as compared with the mechanical one. It was found that the compressive force within the top link as well as mean depth value were significantly lower with the electronic control system resulting in a decrease in wheel slip as well as in fuel consumption. The results also revealed that fuel consumption decreased with increasing ground speed and decreasing the set values of draft. The mean value of slippage in electronic control system for all the treatments was recorded less than 20%, while with the mechanical system it reached level as high as 39%.