• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.389-399
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was aimed at developing a tractor-driving simulator for the safety training of agricultural tractor operators. Methods: The developed simulator consists of five principal components: mock operator control devices, a data acquisition and processing device, a motion platform, a visual system that displays a computer model of the tractor, a motion platform, and a virtual environment. The control devices of a real tractor cabin were successfully converted into mock operator control devices in which sensors were used for relevant measurements. A 3D computer model of the tractor was also implemented using 3ds Max, tractor dynamics, and the physics of Unity 3D. The visual system consisted of two graphic cards and four monitors for the simultaneous display of the four different sides of a 3D object to the operator. The motion platform was designed with two rotational degrees of freedom to reduce cost, and inverse kinematics was used to calculate the required motor positions and to rotate the platform. The generated virtual environment consisted of roads, traffic signals, buildings, rice paddies, and fields. Results: The effectiveness of the simulator was evaluated by a performance test survey administered to 128 agricultural machinery instructors, 116 of whom considered the simulator as having potential for improving safety training. Conclusions: From the study results, it is concluded that the developed simulator can be effectively used for the safety training of agricultural tractor operators.

• Journal of Auto-vehicle Safety Association
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2014

This paper described on the motion of hybrid tractor trajectory for powertrain system. The dynamics behavior used to the tractor according to the characteristics of the road surface using $Daful^@$ analysis. The tractor industry is facing to a big problem about rising gas price and exhaust gas environment. Because it was possible overcoming the past drawback, hybrid vehicle had been decided as the best technical way since it has started operating the internal combustion engine with the electric power as the motive power. The vehicle structures have designed the model of a major power transmission factor. The simulation realized in this paper that motion of tractor being turned by torque and force of each joints. Driving characteristics, especially in recent years, IVHS (Intelligent Vehicle Tractor / System) technology, while receiving a lot of attention because of the tractor and the need to pursue high function is emerging as a more and more.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.21-33
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• 2014

Background: Significant technological development and changes happened in the tractor industries. Contrariwise, the test procedures of the major standard development organizations (SDO's) remained unchanged or with a little modification over the years, demanding new tractor test standards or improvement of existing ones for tractor performance, safety, and comfort. Purpose: This study focuses on reviewing the research trends regarding performance, safety and comfort evaluation of agricultural tractors. Based on this review, few recommendations were proposed to revise or improve the current test standards. Review: Tractor power take-off power test using the DC electric dynamometer reduced human error in the testing process and increased the accuracy of the test results. GPS signals were used to determine acceleration and converted into torque. High capacity double extended octagonal ring dynamometer has been designed to measure drawbar forces. Numerical optimization methodology has been used to design three-point hitch. Numerous technologies, driving strategies, and transmission characteristics are being considered for reducing emissions of gaseous and particulate pollutants. Engine emission control technology standards need to be revised to meet the exhaust regulations for agricultural tractors. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) program has been used to design Roll-Over Protective Structures (ROPS). Program and methodology has been presented for testing tractor brake systems. Whole-body vibration emission levels have been found to be very dependent upon the nature of field operation performed, and the test track techniques required development/adaptation to improve their suitability during standardized assessment. Emphasizes should be given to improve visibility and thermal environment inside the cab for tractor operator. Tractors need to be evaluated under electromagnetic compatibility test conditions due to large growing of electronic devices. Research trends reviewed in this paper can be considered for possible revision or improvement of tractor performance, safety, and comfort test standards.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.56-69
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• 2024

Tractors are used for farming in harsh terrain such as slopes with slippery fields and steep passages. In these potentially dangerous terrain, steering instability caused by bouncing and sliding can lead to tractor rollover accidents. The center of gravity changes as parts such as engines and transmissions used in existing internal combustion engine tractors are replaced by motors and batteries, and the risk of conduction must be newly considered accordingly. The purpose of this study was to derive the center of gravity of a 55 kW class electric tractor using an electric platform from an existing internal combustion engine tractor, and to numerically investigate the tractor steering instability due to bouncing and sliding. The analysis provides a strong analysis by integrating an elaborate combination of a bouncing model and a sliding model based on Coulomb's theory of friction. Various parameters such as tractor speed, static coefficient of friction, bump length and radius of rotation are carefully analyzed through a series of detailed designs. In particular, the simulation results show that the cornering force is significantly reduced, resulting in unintended trajectory deviations. By considering such complexity, this study aims to secure optimal performance and safety in the challenging terrain within the agricultural landscape by providing valuable insights to improve tractor safety measures.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.158-165
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• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this paper was to compare test standards regarding the performance and safety of agricultural tractors to identify the differences in test conditions, measurement tolerances, and test procedures. Based on the comparison, some recommendations were proposed for possible revisions or improvements to current tractor test standards. Methods: The test standards and codes of major standards development organizations (SDOs), such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), EC type approval, and the board of actions of the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratories (NTTL), were selected and analyzed. Comparison of the test standards: The ISO provides references for fuel and lubricants for tractor tests, and the OECD provides additional measurements for calculating fuel consumption characteristics during the power take-off (PTO) tests. The ISO, EC type approval, and the ASABE provide PTO protective device and the safety requirements. During drawbar power tests, seven transmission ratios are selected for fully automatic transmissions, according to the OECD. In case of hydraulic lift tests, ISO 789-2 and OECD Code 2 advise the use of a static lift force, while SAE J283 advises the use of additional dynamic lift capacity tests for a better representation of in-field operations. The OECD, the ISO, and EC type approval determine the seat index point (SIP), whereas the ASABE determines the seat reference point (SRP) for roll-over protective structure (ROPS) tests. Diversified measurement tolerances were among the braking performance test standards. The European Union (EU) has developed daily limits for vibration exposures with adaptations from ISO 2631-1. Electromagnetic compatibility evaluations are emerging of high-efficiency tractors due to the long-term conformance to electromagnetic emissions and interferences. Comparisons of tractor test standards discussed in this paper are expected to provide useful information for tractor manufacturers and standards development personnel to improve the performance and safety test standards of tractors.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2000

Autonomous farm operation needs to be developed for safety, labor shortage problem, health etc. In this research, an autonomous tractor for tillage was investigated using machine vision and a fuzzy logic controller(FLC). Tractor heading and offset were determined by image processing and a geomagnetic sensor. The FLC took the tractor heading and offset as inputs and generated the steering angle for tractor guidance as output. A color CCD camera was used fro the image processing . The heading and offset were obtained using Hough transform of the G-value color images. 15 fuzzy rules were used for inferencing the tractor steering angle. The tractor was tested in the file and it was proved that the tillage operation could be done autonomously within 20 cm deviation with the machine vision and the FLC.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.723-735
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• 2019

The power-train is the most important component of an agricultural tractor. In this study, the strength of the driving gear transmission of an 82 kW-class tractor was analyzed using equivalent torque during plow tillage. The load measurement system consisted of an engine revolution speed sensor, torque-meters, revolution speed sensors for four axles, and pressure sensors for two hydraulic pumps. The load data were measured during plow tillage for four speed stages: F2 (2.78 km/h), F5 (5.35 km/h), F7 (7.98 km/h), and F8 (9.75 km/h). Aspects of the gear-strength such as bending stress, contact stress, and safety factors were analyzed under two torque conditions: the equivalent torque at the highest plow load for the F8 speed stage and the maximum engine torque. The simulation results using KISSsoft showed that the maximum engine torque conditions had a lower safety factor than did the highest equivalent torque condition. The bending safety factors were > 1 at all gear stages, indicating that gear breakage did not occur under actual measured operating conditions, nor under the maximum torque conditions. However, the equivalent torque condition in the contact stress safety factor was > 1, and the maximum torque condition was < 1 at the first gear pair. The method of analysis using the equivalent torque showed lower stress and higher safety factor than did the method using maximum torque. Therefore, when designing a tractor by applying actual working torque, equivalent torque method would support more reliable product development.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.30 no.1 s.108
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• pp.1-7
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• 2005

When a slope tractor works on the slope land, it travels usually along the contour and slope line. In that case, the efficiency of work generally decreases and the safety of the operator caused by the overturn of the tractor should be considered. Maintaining the tractor body being horizontal during the travel is crucial to solve problems. To overcome such a problem, an automatic leveling control system for slope tractor has been developed. The system composed of sensor for measuring rolling and pitching inclination of the slope tractor chassis, controller, hydraulic control system and mechanism. The limit angle of the leveling control was set up to be ${\pm}15^{\circ}C$ for rolling, ${\pm}7^{\circ}C$ for pitching. The proposed control and hydraulic power system was implemented to the prototype slope tractor. This paper shows results about development of the automatic leveling mechanism and response properties for slope tractor.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.383-390
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• 1999

When a tractor travels slope lands, problems of operator safety and the reduction of job efficiency usually occur. Therefore, maintaining the tractor body being horizontal is critical to improve the security of traveling and the job performance. An experiment was made in a soil bin using the experimental model system built and equipped with a leveling control system. Adaptability of the control system was tested and investigated by analyzing system response in time and frequency domains. Control response time of hydraulic cylinder with 10lpm flow rate on a step input of 10$^{\circ}$slope was about 0.42sec. And it showed a linearly increasing trend without any hunching state. A steady state error of 0.6$^{\circ}$occurred but it was negligible. The hydraulic control system showed a little phase differences within the range of 0.4Hz input frequency. The experimental model showed that implementation of the proposed tractor control system to on slope lands tractor was feasible.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.327-335
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to analyze the load distribution and contact safety factor for the power take off (PTO) gear of a 71 kW class agricultural tractor. In this study, a simulation model of the PTO gear-train was developed using Romax DESGINER. The face load factor and contact safety factor were calculated using ISO 6336:2006. The simulation time was set at 2,736 hours considering the lifetime of the tractor, and the simulation was performed for each PTO gear stage at the engine rated power conditions. As a result of the simulation, the face load factors for the driving gear at the PTO 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd stages were 1.644, 1.632, and 1.341, respectively. The contact safety factors for the driving gear at the PTO 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd stages were 1.185, 1.216, and 1.458, respectively. As the PTO gear stage was increased, the face load factor decreased, and the contact safety factor increased. The load distributions for all the PTO gears were concentrated to the right of the tooth width. This causes stress concentrations and shortens the lifespan of the gears. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the face load factor and the contact safety factor with macro-geometry and micro-geometry.