Sensor-based performance monitoring system for tractor-implement combination

A sensor-based performance monitoring system was developed to monitor and measure the various critical performance parameter of a tractor implement system. It includes the real-time measurement of tractor forward speed, wheel slip, three-point linkage force, implement draft and tractor stability during field operations. The sensors comprised of hall sensor, load cell and a gyro sensor. The microcontroller received the data from various sensors, process the data as per the developed control algorithm to calculate the parameters and displays it on the LCD screen near the tractor operator as well as records the data on the SD card. An alarming system was also included to warn the operator using a buzzer whenever the value of the parameters exceeds the optimum range. The performance of the developed system was evaluated in various field conditions along with varying operational conditions like engine RPM, forward speed and implement depth for three different tractor-implement combinations. The wheel slip measured with the developed system was found to be 96.64 per cent accurate as compared to the manual measured slip. The draft measured using the developed system was validated with a calibrated spring balance and found to be very accurate (R² = 0.99). The developed system was able to monitor, record and display the value of the parameters with a high degree of precision. It is very accurate, affordable and can be mounted on any tractor-implement system. It can be also used as a decision support system during field operations.