Browse Topic: Agricultural vehicles and equipment

Items (1,128)
This paper focuses on the potential application of hydrogen fueled internal combustion engine (HICE) in the off-road market, examining HICE based on a diesel engine. In the transition to HICE, priority was given to compatibility with existing systems, minimizing changes from the base engine. By adopting a PFI (Port Fuel Injection) method for fuel injection, low-pressure hydrogen supply was achieved. To address the issue of backfire associated with PFI, optimization of injection pressure using a variable pressure control valve, along with adjustments to valve timing and injection timing, was implemented to suppress backflow of residual gases into the intake system and minimize hydrogen retention. Regarding pre-ignition, in addition to suppressing hotspots, the relationship between the homogenization of the air-fuel mixture and NOx emissions was examined, revealing a correlation. This engine was mounted on a generator, and efforts were made to improve the important characteristic of
Shiraishi, KentaroKishi, ShinjiKato, DaichiMitamura, KentaMurakami, KeiMikuni, Yusuke
In recent years, China has persistently rolled out initiatives to build and showcase rural road networks. This study aimed to examine the effect of the rural road demonstration and creation policy on people’s living standards. Using SPSSPRO software and the difference-in-differences (DID) method, we established an effectiveness evaluation model. We analyzed Engel coefficient data covering the period from 2012 to 2022, gathered from 10 cities – some participating in the demonstration and some not. The findings suggest that the policy on rural road development yields benefits by lowering the Engel coefficient in rural areas, thereby enhancing farmers’ quality of life. The study’s conclusions provide significant insights for furthering the rural road demonstration and construction initiative, as well as for promoting the high-quality progression of rural road networks.
Zhou, YiyanQiao, Rui
This SAE Standard provides a uniform method to calculate the lift capacity of knuckle-boom log loaders and certain forestry equipment. It establishes definitions and specifies machine conditions for calculations. This document applies to knuckle-boom log loaders as defined in ISO 6814 and ISO 17591 and certain forestry equipment defined in ISO 6814 that have a rotating upper-structure such as feller bunchers, forwarders, harvesters, and behind the cab or rear-mounted knuckle-boom log loaders not having their own power supply. It does not apply to harvesters that are incapable of lifting a tree or log completely off the ground. This document applies to those machines that are crawler, rubber-tired, and pedestal or stationary mounted.
MTC4, Forestry and Logging Equipment
Before Monarch existed in 2015, its cofounders CTO Zachary Omohundro and CEO Praveen Penmetsa traveled to India to assemble two electric and connected tractors they had shipped over in crates. They went to a local village and had a plan to deploy the vehicles. “We had a text messaging-based reservation system that the villagers ended up saying, ‘Nope, we're not going to use that at all,’” Omohundro told Truck & Off-Highway Engineering. Instead, the local farmers wanted to work through a local man who knew how to operate tractors. So, they pivoted.
Baldwin, Roberto
This SAE Recommended Practice describes the classification of off-road tires and rims designed specifically for forestry machines (refer to SAE J1116), defines related terminology in common use, and shows representative construction details of component parts.
MTC8, Tire and Rim
This paper presents a methodology for optimizing the steering system of a multi-purpose agricultural vehicle (MPAV) equipped with four-wheel steering (4WS) and a symmetrically configured double-wishbone suspension on both axles. The MPAVs are often prone to bump steer issues due to their narrow track width and the need for long suspension travel. The objective is to define and dimension the steering geometry while maintaining the existing suspension kinematics and preserving the hard points of the wheel hubs. In the scientific literature, this issue is typically addressed by adjusting the hard points of both the steering mechanism and the suspension kinematics. The proposed optimization framework begins with a sensitivity analysis of key design parameters: the position and length of the steering actuator. Based on this analysis, the problem is formulated as an optimization task with two different objective functions, whose solutions are then compared. The functions aim to minimize bump
Belloni, MattiaVignati, MicheleSabbioni, Edoardo
The Vision for Off-road Autonomy (VORA) project used passive, vision-only sensors to generate a dense, robust world model for use in off-road navigation. The research resulted in vision-based algorithms applicable to defense and surveillance autonomy, intelligent agricultural applications, and planetary exploration. Passive perception for world modeling enables stealth operation (since lidars can alert observers) and does not require more expensive or specialized sensors (e.g., radar or lidar). Over the course of this three-phase program, SwRI built components of a vision-only navigation pipeline and tested the result on a vehicle platform in an off-road environment.
Towler, Meera DayGarza, Harold A.Chambers, David R.
In recent years, the powertrains of agricultural tractors have been transitioning toward hybrid electric configurations, paving the way for a greener future agricultural machinery. However, stability challenges arise in hybrid electric tractors due to the relative small capacity to perform power-intensive tasks, such as plowing and harvesting. These operations demand significant power, which are supplied by the electric power take-off system. The substantial disturbances introduced by the electric power take-off system during these tasks render conventional small-signal analysis methods inadequate for ensuring system stability. In this article, we first develop a large-signal model of the onboard power electronic systems, which includes components such as the diesel engine–generator set, batteries, in-wheel motors, and electric power take-off system. By employing mixed potential theory, we conduct a thorough analysis of this model and derive a stability criterion for the onboard power
Li, FangyuanLi, ChenhuiGao, LefeiMa, QichaoLiu, Yanhong
Heavy-duty internal combustion engines (ICEs), including those used in agricultural machinery, are undergoing a transition towards renewable fuels to reduce their environmental impact. In a scenario aiming at complete fossil fuel elimination, bioethanol emerges as one of the most promising alternative fuels, gaining particular attention in agricultural applications, where fuel production can be integrated into farm operations. Bioethanol high octane number, elevated latent heat of vaporization, and fast laminar flame speed enable high engine performance while reducing pollutant emissions compared to conventional spark ignition (SI) engines. However, challenges related to ethanol evaporation must be addressed. In this study, a diesel-derived engine was converted to run on pure ethanol in spark ignition mode using a single-point injection (SPI) system. Unlike conventional flex-fuel engines that run on blends of gasoline and ethanol, this configuration was selected to avoid modifications
Perrone, DiegoFalbo, BiagioFalbo, LuigiCastiglione, Teresa
The automation of labor-intensive picking and planting operations is having an immediate impact in the agricultural indutry. In its simplest form, robotic automation can reduce the labor and soil disturbance while enabling organic soil cover and increasing species diversification through precision approaches to planting, weeding, and spraying. With this, pesticides and fertilizers can be applied in a more targeted way, and with machinery visiting fields more frequently, earlier and more targeted intervention can occur before pests become established. Small, Mobile, and Autonomous Agricultural Robots identifies issues that need to be resolved fo for this technology to thrive, including improving methods of acquiring and labeling training data to facilitate more accurate models for specific applications. It also discusses concepts such as general-purpose mechanical platforms for use as carriers of agricultural automation systems with high stability, positional accuracy, and variable
Muelaner, Jody E.
This study employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to analyze airflow and thermal characteristics within an agricultural tractor, focusing on operator comfort and component safety. Initial simulations identified hotspots, such as the brake pedals, operator platform, and hand throttle, where temperatures exceeded acceptable limits (rise over ambient, ROA). A multi-step approach—including sealing air leaks, adding heat insulation materials, and optimizing the deflector guard—was implemented to mitigate excessive heat. While these modifications significantly improved temperature conditions on the right platform, the left brake pedal remained problematic. Further enhancements, such as sealing an electrical socket and modifying the shroud design, effectively reduced heat exposure. The improved shroud also led to a slight decrease in static pressure (2.21%) and an 8.61% reduction in power consumption, improving airflow efficiency. Although an alternative ring fan design reduced power
Mohan, AnandSoni, PeeyushSethuraman, SriramanGovindan, SenthilkumarSakthivel, AnanthBabu, Rathish Maller
Made from renewable materials like biomass and agricultural waste, sustainable aviation fuel has enormous potential to decarbonize the aviation industry. But widespread adoption has yet to take off.
This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic assessment (TEA) of an integrated e-methanol production system building upon previously published foundational research utilizing Aspen Plus modeling for e-methanol production from sugar cane and sugar beet biomass. The established integrated system converts biomass into ethanol through fermentation and synthesizes e-methanol using both captured CO2 and syngas derived from biomass residue gasification. This approach maximizes CO2 and biomass utilization, promoting a circular carbon economy. The TEA quantifies capital expenditures (CAPEX), operational expenditures (OPEX), and levelized costs of Methanol (LCOM), providing a detailed economic analysis of the potential for commercializing e-methanol. A sensitivity analysis evaluates the impact of feedstock prices and Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), identifying key leverage points affecting financial viability. The study aims to explore the potential of utilizing existing agricultural
Fernandes, Renston JakeShakeel, Mohammad RaghibNguyen, DucduyIm, Hong G.Turner, James W.G.
Continuous rubber track systems for heavy applications are typically designed using multiple iterations of full-scale physical prototypes. This costly and time-consuming approach limits the possibility of exploring the design space and understanding how the design space of that kind of system is governed. A multibody dynamic simulation has recently been developed, but its complexity (due to the number of model’s inputs) makes it difficult to understand and too expensive to be used with multi-objective optimization algorithms (approximately 3 h on a desktop computer). This article aims to propose a first design space exploration of continuous rubber track systems via multi-objective optimization methods. Using an existing expensive multibody dynamic model as original function, surrogate models (artificial neural networks) have been trained to predict the simulation responses. These artificial neural networks are then used to explore the design space efficiently by using optimization
Faivre, AntoineRancourt, DavidPlante, Jean-Sébastien
Platform based vehicle development is standardized at John Deere. The challenges of frontloading the integration of individual components within different platforms using predictive methods is key to shortening the development cycle. Components are individually characterized on test benches and results cannot directly be used to evaluate system performance. Invariant characterization is needed instead, which is possible through techniques such as blocked loads estimation. To evaluate the applicability of such methods, the component-based loads and vehicle in-situ operational loads need to be compared. The confident use of these methods for obtaining structural and acoustic loads enables the use of hybrid system models, enhancing early NVH response predictions. The objective of this work was to enable the confident use of test stand measurements in predictive models across various vehicle platforms. This study compares a powertrain characterization in a vehicle against a test stand to
Vesikar, Prasad BalkrishnaEdgington, JasonDrabison II, John
There is an increasing effort to reduce noise pollution across different industries worldwide. From a transportation standpoint, pass-by regulations aim to achieve this and have been implementing increasingly stricter emissions limits. Testing according to these standards is a requirement for homologation, but does little to help manufacturers understand why their vehicles may be failing to meet limits. Using a developed methodology such as Pass-by Source Path Contribution (SPC, also known as TPA) allows for identification of dominant contributors to the pass-by receivers along with corresponding acoustic source strengths. This approach is commonly used for passenger vehicles, but can be impractical for off-highway applications, where vehicles are often too large for most pass-by-suitable chassis dynamometers. A hybrid approach is thereby needed, where the same techniques and instrumentation used in the indoor test are applied to scenarios in an outdoor environment. This allows for
Freeman, ToddEngels, BretThuesen, Ben
A Northwestern University-led team of researchers has developed a new fuel cell that harvests energy from microbes living in dirt. About the size of a standard paperback book, the completely soil-powered technology could fuel underground sensors used in precision agriculture and green infrastructure. This potentially could offer a sustainable, renewable alternative to batteries, which hold toxic, flammable chemicals that leach into the ground, are fraught with conflict-filled supply chains and contribute to the ever-growing problem of electronic waste.
Traditional silicon-based solar cells are completely opaque, which works for solar farms and roofs but would defeat the purpose of windows. However, organic solar cells, in which the light absorber is a kind of plastic, can be transparent.
Researchers from the Disruptive and Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP) interdisciplinary research group of the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, in collaboration with Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) and MIT, have developed a groundbreaking near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent nanosensor capable of simultaneously detecting and differentiating between iron forms — Fe(II) and Fe(III) — in living plants.
Urea SCR system, installed in diesel engine vehicles such as trucks and agricultural machinery, is widely used as an exhaust gas aftertreatment system that efficiently purifies NOx, an environmentally harmful substance. Furthermore, the Urea SCR systems may be installed in hydrogen/carbon-neutral fuel engines, and biofuel aircraft engines aiming to achieve carbon neutrality. However, an important problem is the degradation of NOx purification performance caused by urea crystallization due to an undesired reaction of urea water solution (UWS) and clogging of the exhaust pipe due to the formation of deposits caused by an unknown number of atomized UWS behaviors, mainly during idling and low-speed operation when the pipe temperature is relatively low. The problem is that the UWS behavior of the atomized UWS is not well understood. To solve these problems, it is necessary to clarify the complex two-phase flow phenomenon of gas and droplets in the exhaust pipe, which is still unknown. We
Ono, JoeNohara, TetsuoNara, ShotaroKawamoto, YukiFukushima, NaoyaOchiai, Masayuki
These general operator precautions apply to off-road work machines as defined in SAE J1116. These should not be considered as all-inclusive for all specific uses and unique features of each particular machine. Other more specific operator precautions not mentioned herein should be covered by users of this recommended practice for each particular machine application.
OPTC1, Personnel Protection (General)
This SAE Recommended Practice is intended to provide technicians with safe and efficient techniques and general equipment recommendations for servicing mobile air conditioning systems in off-road, self-propelled work machines as defined in SAE J1116 and tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry as defined in ASABE standard ANSI/ASAE S390. Both refrigerants HFC-134a (R-134a) and HFO-1234yf (R-1234yf) are covered. Many service procedures are similar for both refrigerants, but recovery, recycling, charging, and electronic leak detection tools can be unique to each refrigerant.
HFTC6, Operator Accommodation
As the agricultural industry seeks to enhance sustainability and reduce operational costs, the introduction of mild hybrid technology in tractors presents a promising solution. This paper focuses on downsizing internal combustion (IC) engine, coupled with integration of electric motor, to reduce fuel consumption and meet stringent emission regulations while maintaining power requirement for agricultural applications in India. The hybridization aims to deliver instant power boosts during peak loads and capitalizes on energy recovery during part loads and braking. Furthermore, the idle avoidance feature minimizes fuel consumption during periods of inactivity thus improving fuel efficiency. The hybridization also aims to hybridize auxiliary systems for flexible power management, enabling operation of either engine, auxiliaries, or both as needed. A newly developed hybrid supervisory control prototype efficiently manages electric power and mechanical power, enabling intelligent management
Prasad, Lakshmi P.PS, SatyanarayanaPaygude, TejasGangsar, PurushottamThakre, MangeshChoudhary, NageshGitapathi, Ajinkya
Off-highway vehicles, with their unique requirements of durability, high power, and torque density, are typically powered by diesel ignition internal combustion engines (ICEs). This reliance on ICEs significantly contributes to greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions. For this reason, there is an urge to develop an energy-efficient powertrain architecture that produces fewer GHGs emissions while meeting the variable torque levels and variable speeds and performing various duty cycles with high efficiency. In order to select the energy-efficient powertrain architecture for the off-highway vehicle, different existing powertrain architectures (i.e., series hybrid, parallel hybrid, series-parallel hybrid, conventional) for off-highway applications have been studied to highlight their pros and cons. This is done considering the different duty cycles and applications along with Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). Off-highway vehicles operate under different road/surface conditions than on-road vehicles
Abououf, HendHanif, AtharDickson, JonChandramouli, NitishAhmed, Qadeer
In the United States (US), the off-road sector (i.e., agriculture, construction, etc.) contributes to approximately 10% of the country’s transportation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, similar to the aviation sector. The off-road sector is extremely diverse; as the EPA MOVES model classifies it into 11 sub-sectors, which include 85 different types of equipment. These equipment types have horsepower ranging from 1 to greater than 3000 and have very different utilization, which makes decarbonization a complex endeavor. To address this, Argonne’s on-road vehicle fleet model, VISION, has been expanded to the off-road sector. The GHG emission factors for several energy carriers (biofuels, electricity, and hydrogen) have been incorporated from Argonne’s GREET model for a sector-wide well-to-wheel (WTW) GHG emissions analysis of the present and future fleet. Several technology adoption and energy decarbonization scenarios were modeled to better understand the appropriate actions required to
Tripathi, ShashwatKolodziej, ChristopherGohlke, DavidBurnham, AndrewZhou, YanLongman, Douglas
On one hand population is increasing while on the other area under cultivation has been decreasing resulting in increased stress on the productivity to meet the needs. India in particular has been witnessing lot many challenges in terms of mechanization, availability of skilled manpower, urban shift and increased revenue to Agri households from non-Agri streams, lesser participation of women in mechanization. Likeability of younger generations to choose agriculture has declined due to need of strenuous manual works. This paper discusses about the system developed for automating monotonous agricultural tractor operations that offers increased operator comfort and productivity while minimizing operator fatigue. The system uses Electronic Depth & Draft Control (EDDC) system combined with Wheel angle sensors to offer key functions such as auto side braking, implement lift, lower and PTO disengagement during headland turns and automatic reengagement of the above controls. Field tests have
M, Rojer DennyNatarajan, SaravananBaskar, Augustin
Today’s agriculture demands increased productivity due to the higher cropping intensities. Agricultural field readiness for cultivation requires various operation in field resulting in delay in cultivation which lower down productivity. Therefore, field operation needs to be more efficient in terms of both input cost and time consumption. One way to achieve this is by performing multiple operations in a single tractor pass, utilizing the increased power available in modern Tractors. In some agricultural operations, implements need to be mounted on the front of the tractor. Therefore, designing a front three-point hitching system for the tractor is essential to meet various farming needs, allowing customers to perform multiple operations simultaneously. The use of a front three-point linkage better utilizes the potential of four-wheel drive, higher horsepower tractors. This paper focuses on the comprehensive design process for developing and validating a front hitch system for both
Kumar, YuvarajV, Ashok KumarPerumal, SolairajGaba, RahulRamdebhai, KaravadaraSubbaiyan, Prasanna BalajiM, Kalaiselvan
This paper discusses the design and analysis of the Three-point linkage of an agricultural tractor for uncommon abusive usage practices during haulage applications. Some operators use the Three-point linkage for generating additional traction to navigate gradient surfaces, which requires additional wheel torque to overcome road slope when the trailer is attached. These maneuvers induce higher loads on Three-point linkage components, such as the lower link, lift rod, and powertrain components, which may lead to structural failures. A virtual simulation and lab-level test methodology need to be established to simulate the usage pattern upfront and predict potential failures. Multi-body dynamics (MBD) simulation was deployed to simulate the physics and extract realistic loads for Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) analysis. Data acquisition was carried out to record the strain levels during the uncommon haulage usage practices, which will be used for further studies. CAE analysis has been
Kumar, YuvarajPerumal, SolairajV, Ashok KumarSavsani, SmitkumarSubbaiyan, Prasanna BalajiBhandwalkar, AnandV V H Krishna Prasad, Tadikamalla
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