Field-Transferable Instrumentation Package for Tractor Performance Comparisons (F-TIP)

A microcomputer based data acquisition system for use in monitoring tractor performance has become a very useful method of evaluating tractors and implements for research purposes, One limitation which has made comparisons of tractors difficult has been the high cost of Instrumentation needed to measure, monitor and store tractor performance parameters, such as engine speed, fuel flow, drawbar pull, ground-speed and wheel slip. The primary purpose of this paper is to present a tractor mounted Field-Transferable Instrumentation Package (F-TIP) that allows for comparing tractors, on performance and efficiency while operating under essentially identical field conditions, without unnecessary duplication of expensive instrumentation. The idea of field-transferable instrumentation has implications not only for research purposes, but may eventually be useful in industry and on farms.