Gurukul's Agriculture Engineering Module 5: Tractor
Gurukul's Agriculture Engineering Module 5: Tractor
Gurukul's Agriculture Engineering Module 5: Tractor
Tractor
Tractor is a self propelled machine used either for pulling or pushing and
stationary work.
Tractor Development
1890 Tractor engine invented by George Harris of Chicago, and used the
world first tractor
1936-37 Diesel engine and pneumatic tyres were used for tractors
Classification of tractor
The tractors are classified into three classes on the basis of type of construction, type
of drive and purpose
Selection of Tractor
The tractor should be selected based on the following factors
1. Land holding
o Under a single cropping pattern, it is normally recommended to consider 1 hp
for every 2 hectares of land. In other words, one tractor20-25 hp is suitable for
40 hectares farm.
2. Cropping pattern
o Generally 1.5 hectare/hp been recommended where adequate irrigation
facilities are available and more than one crop is taken. So a 30-35 hp tractor is
suitable for 40 hectares farm.
3. Soil conditions
o A tractor with less wheel base, higher ground clearance and low overall weight
may work successfully in lighter soil but it will not be able to give sufficient
depth in black cotton soil.
4. Climatic conditions
o For very hot zone and desert area, air cooled engines are preferred over water
cooled engines. Similarly for higher altitude, air cooled engines are preferred
because water is liable to be frozen at higher altitude.
5. Repairing facilities
o It should be ensured that the tractorto be purchased has a dealer at near by place
with all the technical skills for repair and maintenance of machine.
6. Running cost:
o Tractors with less specific fuel consumption should be preferred over others so
that running cost may be less.
7. Initial cost and resale value:
o While keeping the resale value in mind, the initial cost should not be very high,
otherwise higher amount of interest will have to be paid.
Note
Internal combustion of suitable horse power is used as a prime mover in a
tractor. Engines ranging from 8 to 200 hp are used in agricultural tractors. In
India , four wheel tractors for agricultural operations are fitted with 25-80 hp.
Walking type tractors are fitted with 8-12 hp engines
Steering mechanism
POWER TILLER
Components of power tiller
o All power tillers are fitted with an I.C. engine. At present makes like Kubota,
Mitsubishi, Krishi, Yanmar and Satoh use diesel engine. Iseki make use
kerosene engine.
o Main clutch
Power goes from engine to main clutch through V- belt – pulley arrangement.
o Transmission gears
Transmission gears consists of gears, shafts, and bearings. Transmission gears
reduce speed of the engine and increase the torque at the wheels.
o Brakes
All power tillers have braking arrangement for stopping the movement of power
tiller.
o Wheels
Usually two to four ply pneumatic tyre are used in power tillers for the wheels.
The inflation pressure ranges from 1.1 to 1.4 kg/cm2.
o Rotary unit
Power tillers have a rotary unit for field operation. Rotary tines are used in
rotary unit for soil cutting and pulverizing purposes.
(For Puddling operation in paddy fields- using rotary tines)