A microcontroller-based low-cost ground speed sensor was developed for agricultural tractors. The device consisting of a transparent disc and an optical slot sensor was fabricated to measure the number of revolutions per minute (rpm) of the tractor front wheel. The device was installed on the tractor kingpin, and connected with front wheel by flexible wire. The measured rpm of front wheel was fed to a programmed microcontroller where actual ground speed was calculated by multiplying the distance travelled by the front wheel in one revolution. A digital display of actual ground speed on the tractor’s dashboard was obtained. The performance of developed sensor was compared with the commercially available ground speed Radar Sensor (Dickey-John) at different loads and surface conditions. The developed sensor was found to perform well compared to the radar sensor.
Ground speed, microcontroller, tractor, radar sensor, digital display
