Abstract

In this study, fuel consumption values needed for the machine to operate (machine activity) and for the tractor to be able to move (tractor mobility) in field conditions in agricultural activities were determined for some PTO driven agricultural machine operations (turbo atomizer and disc fertilizer spreader). Besides, the effects of 540 and 540E PTO options on fuel consumption distribution were evaluated. Three different tractors (John Deere 5625, Massey Ferguson 3085 and New Holland TD85) were used for this purpose. In field experiments, tractor fuel consumption, PTO torque and power parameters were measured. These measurements were repeated under static conditions in the laboratory without changing the functions of the machines. In these experiments, the torque and power requirements were found to be higher for the turbo atomizer for both of the PTO operations (540 and 540E). Data analysis showed that fuel consumptions performed in the laboratory condition with the 540 PTO in turbo atomizer and disc fertilizer spreader operations for all tractors were77.08 and 74.29%, respectively in average of overall average fuel consumption values performed in field conditions. Fuel consumptions for 540E PTO operation were determined to be 65.97 and 64.74% in average, respectively. According to the variance analysis, for all test tractors, PTO options and experiment conditions were statistically significant (P<0.01) on fuel consumption for each PTO driven machines.

Key words: Tractor, PTO driven machine, fuel consumption, PTO options.