To save fuel, match the size of the implement to the tractor

Matching appropriate-sized tractors and implements is a major management decision for many farmers and ranchers. Sizing correctly will reduce time and labor requirements while maintaining efficient field operations.

If the tractor is oversized for the job, the fuel consumption and costs will be higher than necessary. A 200 HP MFWD tractor costs $24.27 more per hour of use than a 130 HP MFWD tractor, according to Lazarus data; costs include fuel and oil, maintenance and repair, depreciation, and overhead, which includes interest, insurance, and housing. Overloading will occur if the implements are too large for the tractor, resulting in slow field speeds and, as a result, reduced field capacity and quality of work.

Excessive wear is also caused by overloading, which increases downtime and maintenance costs.

Farmers can examine work performed in acres per hour to see how different equipment sizes affect the time required to complete tasks (Lazarus). Table 1 compares plowing300 acres with a 15-foot chisel plough with front discs and a fold to a 21.3-foot chisel plough with front discs and a fold and a 57-foot chisel plough. The total cost per acre for ploughing 300 acres varies from $1,566 to $1,566 depending on the equipment used.

The additional time required to plough can be as much as 26 hours. The larger equipment consumes more diesel per acre; plough 300 acres with the largest equipment costs $1,221 more. Farmers will have to weigh the tradeoffs between time, cost, and fuel usage.

Factors That Influence a Good Match

The choice of implement for a tractor is primarily determined by tractor size, soil type and condition, field speed, and implement pull requirements. One of the most common mistakes in equipment selection is overestimating the tractor's drawbar horsepower. In the field, only 50% to 65% of the maximum PTO horsepower is converted to drawbar horsepower. As a result, many implements are too large for the tractor.

A Good Match's Travel Speed

In general, if implements are properly matched to tractor size, a tractor should be able to pull the implement at speeds ranging from 3 to 8 miles per hour. When a tractor can easily pull an implement faster than about 8 miles per hour, the tractor is probably too big for the implement. If the tractor can't pull the implement faster than 3 MPH, it's probably too small for the implement.

Previously conducted surveys revealed that several operations, such as spraying, harrowing, and cultivating, consume more fuel than mathematical calculations would suggest. The analysis of that survey data frequently revealed that an overly large tractor was used for the specific field operation.

Also Read:- Tractor Horsepower Guide -How Much Horsepower Do Tractors Need?