Management information system for spatial analysis of tractor- implement draft forces

Abstract

With the recent increases in fuel costs, producers are searching for ways to minimize costs and to increase productivity. The ability to monitor and collect data about tractor/implement performance can benefit farm machinery management decisions and lead to fuel savings. The draft force required to pull an implement is of great importance, since it determines fuel consumption and the tractor power required. The aim of this study was to design and develop a Farm Management Information System (FMIS) to handle draft forces data and generate spatial performance maps. This analysis could be useful to analyze tillage operations in order to maintain soil quality and reduce energy consumption.