L PREDICTIVE MODELS FOR 74 AND 75 HORSEPOWER TRACTORS DURING PLOUGHING OPERATION IN A SANDY LOAM SOIL

Abstract

Fuel predictive models were developed for 74 and 75 horsepower tractors during ploughing operation in a sandy loam soil. This study involved the use of three different tractor models of similar horsepower capacity namely, YTO-750, YTO-754 and TAK DI-75 which were used for carrying out ploughing operation at the experimental field of the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin, Nigeria. The ploughing implement mounted on these tractors during ploughing operation was a 3-bottom disc plough. The test parameters measured during ploughing operation include travel reduction (wheel slippage), draught force, speed of operation, effective field capacity, theoretical field capacity, field efficiency, time of operation, drawbar power, tractive efficiency, soil moisture content, soil bulk density and soil cone index. The experimental field measuring 50 m by 100 m was laid in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and which was replicated three times. Data obtained were subjected to multiple linear regression by pairing each measured test parameter with speed of operation. Test results showed that the model involving speed of operation and average soil moisture content as independent variables performed better than the other models developed based on highest R²-value of 0.972 and least residual standard error of 0.11650 l/ha obtained.