The Development of an Electronic Engine Speed Governor for the Agricultural Industry

This paper describes the development for production of the concept of a two mode governor originally described at the SAE Congress in February 1986. In the system, the mechanical governor of a Lucas Diesel Systems Rotary Pump was replaced by an electronic actuator connected to an electronic control unit. In this two modes of governing were provided, one giving steep governing in the working speed range, for improved off highway operation, and the other giving shallow governing for good on-road driveability.

The field test work with a modified tractor is described, together with the design and development testing of the system required for volume production.

Hence close control of tractor engine and ground speed is now possible. Additionally, as a spin-off from this development, a separate system for generator governing has also been developed and is described in the paper.