Better fuel efficiency
Överum ploughs wins test
137,8
140 125,2
120 100 80
96,1 83,5
80,7
84,0
60 40 20 0
Plough 13 cm
Plough 17 cm
Plough 21 cm
Cult 13 cm
Cult 17 cm
Cult 21 cm
Disc
The fuel consumption and the use of the tractor are highly important for farmers to achieve a low cost cultivation. The Swedish University of Agriculture (SLU) has presented interesting findings on this subject. Low draft requirement With a 135 hp tractor, equipped with advanced measuring systems the energy consumption has been compared to the amount of moved soil of different soil preparation machines. The draft requirement and the amount of loose soil have been registered for the plough, the cultivator and disc tools at different depth adjustments. As you can see in the diagram, ploughing is the most efficient method for soil tillage.
Draft requirement
70
+ 12%
+ 15%
60 50 40 30 20 10 0
Överum
Competitor 1
Competitor 2
Kongskilde Industries A/S Tel. +45 33 68 35 65 mail@kongskilde.com www.kongskilde.com
Subject to alternative changes reserved.
166,0
160
Litre/hectare
Specific draft strength
180
Measuring of fuel consumption with a front mounted plough There have been discussions around the economical benefits of driving with a fully mounted front plough instead of having a regular front weight on the tractor. SLU had come up with an answer after comparing these two options. They had a 135 hp tractor and compared a Fuel consumption 20 four furrow plough together 18 with a front weight and a four furrow plough together 16 14 with a two furrow front mounted plough. On the 12 test area (heavy clay soil) 10 the fuelconsumption 8 decreased from 6 18.4 litre/hectare to 4 16.5 litre/hectare. That is to 2 say 10 % in decreased fuel 0 consumption with a front 4 furrow fully 4 furrow fully mounted + front mounted + 2 furmounted plough instead weight row front plough of a front weight. Practical measuring on lighter soil had shown a decrease down to 8 litre/hec tare. The front mounted plough is also well adapted for use when shallow ploughing is required.
Motor effect kW
kN/m2
101001365 EXP/GB/Better Feul/BBL/1011
Överum XL-body has the lowest draft requirement among its competitors A comparison of the three most common plough brands was also done by SLU. A 100 hp tractor was used to measure the draft requirement of the four furrow ploughs. The furrow width of ploughs was adjusted to 40 cm and the depth of the ploughing was 20 cm. As you can see on the diagram, the Överum plough with the XL-body was the one among the competitors which had the lowest draft requirement. This result means less slippage and higher efficiency which gives a lower fuel consumption and tillage cost.