Software for performance prediction and matching of tractor-implement system

The matching of tractor-implement system is very difficult task in India because variety of tractor models ranging from 10 to 45kW is prevalent here. To overcome the problem of matching tractor-implement system, a decision support system (DSS) was developed in Visual Basic 6.0 programming language for 2-wheel drive (2WD) tractors. The DSS provides intuitive user interfaces by linking databases such as tractor parameters, tire and implement specifications, soil and operating conditions to support the decision for selection of tractor-implement system. DSS was validated for three different implements (2×30cm moldboard plow; 9-23cm field cultivator and 7-7 offset disc harrow (1.6m)). DSS which calculates draft, drawbar power, slip, tractive efficiency, coefficient of rolling resistance, coefficient of net traction, PTO power required, power utilization efficiency, specific fuel consumption based etc. on input data, can be used effectively in matching of tractor-implement system of various makes and models commercially available in India.