How To Drive Massey Ferguson Tractor

[Basemat Doolen]

A100-pto-horsepower agricultural tractor was instrumented with a microcomputer-based data acquisition system for monitoring energy inputs to implements powered by the tractor. The data acquisition system included instrumentation for measuring and recording fuel consumption, implement draft, travel speed, angular velocity of each drive wheel axle, and torque on each drive axle. Drive wheel slip, fuel consumption per unit time and area, drawbar horsepower, axle horsepower, tractive efficiency, and implement energy requirement per unit area could be subsequently computed from these measurements.

The data acquisition system was installed on a 2675 Massey- Ferguson (two-wheel drive) tractor. The system was centered around a DEC PDP11/03-LK microcomputer that was installed in a rack above the head of the operator. A DEC TU58 cassette tape system, which incorporated dual tape drives, was used for system program and data storage. Communication between the operator and data acquisition system was through a 64-key keyboard and a compact CRT unit for external monitoring of program execution and data display. Other components of the data-handling system included a microprocessor counter box for summing digital signals and a strain gauge signal conditioner/amplifier. All electronic data handling components were mounted within the confines of the tractor cab. The sensing hardware on the instrumented tractor consisted of a fuel transducer and display, a three-point hitch drawbar dynamometer, a free-rolling fifth wheel to indicate travel speed, axle speed indicators, and axle torque sensors. Power for the data handling equipment and sensing transducers was supplied by a portable gasoline generator mounted on the front of the tractor.

The instrumented tractor was used during two cropping seasons to measure energy inputs to selected tillage and planting implements. Implements included a subsoiler, chisel plow, heavy tandem disk harrow, light tandem disk harrow, soil pulverizer, cultimulcher, row-crop planter, and no-till row-crop planter. Implements were operated to simulate the cultural practices associated with conventional seedbed preparation and planting.

The procedure for data collection consisted of operating a given implement with the instrumented tractor over measured 200-ft plots. The data acquisition system sampled and recorded the monitored parameters at one-second intervals during the test run. Each of the implements, except the subsoiler and row-crop planter, were operated at three travel speeds to obtain a range of energy requirements associated with implement operation. Field data were reduced by averaging numerous test replications of each operating speed-implement combination to obtain mean values for the desired energy-related parameters.

The data acquisition system performed satisfactorily with some modifications. Results of the field measurements indicated that the drawbar pull, drawbar power, drive wheel slip, fuel consumption per unit time, and the energy input per unit area processed all tended to increase for each implement as the travel speed was increased. However, the quantity of fuel required to process a unit area tended to decrease slightly for a given implement as the travel speed was increased.

Authored by by Cynthia Martel, Extension Agent, ANR, Dairy Science, Franklin County VCE; Becky Roberts, Associate Extension Agent, ANR, Pittsylvania County VCE; and Joanne Jones, Extension Agent, ANR, Charlotte County VCE

An increasing percentage of women are becoming first-time farmers or taking on full responsibility of the family farm. From 2012 - 2017, there was a 115% increase in the number of farms operated principally by women. Based on the 2017 Census of Agriculture, women comprise 36% of all operators and 56% of farms have at least one female producer associated with the operation. While many do go into the enterprise with the necessary skillsets, others are coming into the business as a result of retirement, injury or death of a parent, spouse, or family member and find themselves in need of additional skills and knowledge.

One of the best ways for agricultural producers to build efficiency into their operation is to improve their soils and forages. Applying pesticides to pasture and hay land can effectively remove unwanted weeds and other plants so that the desired forages can capitalize on available nutrients. However, properly calibrating a sprayer can be difficult and even intimidating for producers. Therefore, the Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs team; Rachel Parsons, Stephanie Wycoff and Kathleen Miller led attendees through an informative hands-on demonstration on how to properly calibrate a boom sprayer. Participants each took a turn adjusting nozzles and calculating pesticide output amounts. Throughout the entire demonstration Parsons, Wycoff and Miller emphasized the importance of pesticide safety and proper Personal Protective Equipment. Calibration information and checklists were distributed to all participants for future reference.

Tractors are an everyday, essential part of farming and they can be dangerous. There are many essential parts on a tractor that every operator must know. These include the engine, clutch, brakes, throttle, power take off (PTO) and PTO shaft, rear wheels, front wheels, and the hydraulic controls. Beyond an understanding of the main tractor parts, each operator must understand the safe operation of each. Once the operator has learned the basic tractor parts and how they function, they can easily move between different brands of equipment with the ability to properly and safely operate them. During the course at Kentland, farm ladies were given the opportunity to drive a John Deere, Kubota, and/or a Massey Ferguson tractor. The differences between open and closed cabs and the importance of roll bars on an open cab tractor were discussed. PTO safety and hooking up PTO shafts was covered and participants were shown how to hook and unhook a 3-point hitch rotary tiller. Tractor servicing, including checking the fluid levels and easier methods for adding hydraulic fluid, was discussed and demonstrated. Attendees were very complimentary and excited to operate the different brands of tractors and learn in a safe and supportive environment.

Low-stress Cattle Handling has numerous benefits for both producers and for cattle. The biggest benefit is the safety of both the cattle and the producer. When cattle are confined and being coerced into a controlled environment, their stress level rises and they are more likely to become aggressive and agitated. Participants received hands-on pen training moving one cow or a group of cows from one location to another. Understanding an animal's flight or fight zone is key in low-stress handling. Pressure is a key concept with low-stress handling, knowing when, where, and how much pressure controls movement. Low-stress handling goes hand-in-hand with Beef Quality Assurance and chuteside skills, because profits increase for both dairy and beef producers when cows are introduced to less stressful environments with reduced risk of injury.

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Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

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