Development of a Modified Method for Measuring the Actual Draft Force Using a Tractor-Attached Dynamometer

Abstract

In this study, crank-locker kinematic equations were used to analyze the three-point hitch behavior when the dynamometer was connected to the work machine. The dynamometer was statically tested with a hydraulic actuator, and the accuracy of the three-way force and the moment was confirmed to be 96–99%. The calibrated dynamometer was put to the test on a real farm field, and data were collected using a data acquisition system. Using the transport pitch correction equation, the collected data can be transformed into more realistic data. International standards were used to determine the point of connection between the tractor, dynamometer, and implement. The results of this study made it possible to accurately measure force and moment, which will have an important role in future agricultural technologies such as autonomous agricultural operation.

Keywords

• three-point hitch
• tractor-attached dynamometer
• force–moment equation
• force measurement accuracy