ABSTRACT
The operating performance of agricultural machinery is subject to modification due to such factors as the load under traction and working speed, and may interfere directly in the processes of mechanised agriculture. The best way of obtaining the response is by testing operating performance. The aim of this study was to determine the operating performance of a mechanised tractor-seeder under different fertiliser-tank loads and gear ratios. The experimental design consisted of randomised blocks in a 3 x 2 factorial scheme, with four replications, comprising two gear ratios (3 L and 4 L, with average speeds of 1.25 and 1.80 m s-1) and three fertiliser loads in the tank of a continuous-flow seeder (100, 75 and 50%). The following were evaluated: slippage of the front and rear wheels of the tractor, slippage of the seeder, hourly consumption in L h-1 and L ha-1, displacement speed, pull and average power rating of the drawbar, operational field capacity (OFC), and the depth and number of seeds. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and compared by Tukey's test at 5% significance. The seeder displayed less slippage with loads of 100% in the fertiliser tank. Fuel consumption in L h-1 showed no significant differences (p<0.05); the seeding process being possible at the highest load and greatest ratio with no change in hourly consumption. The consumption per hectare was lower at a gear ratio of 4 L, which gave increased displacement speed, directly reflected in a shorter seeding time per area. The 4 L ratio, together with a 100% load in the fertilizer tank, resulted in better performance of the tractor-seeder.
Key words:
Slippage; Power rating; Fuel consumption