Estratégias para redução do consumo de combustível em tratores agrícolas com a otimização do desempenho em tração

Abstract

The tractor is one of the main agricultural machines used in rural properties, in this way the search for alternatives that aim to reduce fuel consumption is very important, one of the ways is using different driving modes, through the modification of the displacement gear and of engine rotation. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate different driving modes of the agricultural tractor, seeking to reduce fuel consumption, optimizing the traction performance in field operation. For this, an experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Santa Maria, in the municipality of Santa Maria - RS, in the experimental area of the Department of Beef Cattle, where an agricultural tractor was used in sowing operation. The experimental design chosen was randomized blocks with six treatments corresponding to the combination of displacement gears and engine rotation, being (L5 1800 rpm, L5 2000 rpm, L6 1800 rpm, L6 2000 rpm, H2 1800 rpm and H2 2000 rpm). The variables analyzed were displacement speed, traction force, traction efficiency, hourly and specific fuel consumption, drawbar power and wheel slip. The results indicated that with the increase of the displacement gear and reduction of the engine rotation, maintaining the speed of the tractor, a reduction in the hourly fuel consumption was obtained, not influencing the results of other variables such as specific consumption, slippage and power at the bar. of traction, for the slip of the driving wheels and the efficiency in traction presented the best results in the treatments with engine rotation in 2000 rpm. Pearson's linear correlation shows that displacement speed is one of the main factors that interfere in tractor performance conditions.