Agricultural Tractor Test

Ensaios de Tratores Agrícolas

ABSTRACT

Machine tests are standardized procedures that aim to present reliable and impartial information of the evaluated machines. The agricultural tractor is the main source of power in the agricultural setting. Therefore, to acquire an in-depth knowledge of the operational and performance characteristics of these machines, a tractor test is necessary as this will help in achieving higher yields in the field. Performance of tests of tractors and agricultural machinery is usually the responsibility of the manufacturers, official government agencies, and research institutions. New machines and technologies are being developed; therefore, information on the current status of tractor testing and the procedures and advances in the methodologies used for the evaluation of machines is fundamental in today’s agriculture 4.0. This review aims to examine the current state of agricultural tractor testing worldwide, with special focus on that in Brazil. Agriculture 4.0, or intelligent agriculture, incorporates new and advanced resources, such as computers, sensors, and actuators, which are used in operational performance and efficiency testing, thus contributing to the modernization of technology and improvement of machines. New methods of performance assessment and data collection are under consideration and should be established through clear and specific standards.

Key words:
Mechanization; Agricultural Engineering; Intelligent Agriculture