Optimización de la eficiencia tractiva mediante la generación de curvas de tracción bajo condiciones variables de carga en tractores agrícolas

Agricultural mechanization is a key component for improving productivity and sustainability in Costa Rican farming systems. However, the efficiency with which tractors convert engine power into useful drawbar work has not been quantitatively assessed under the country’s local soil and climatic conditions. This research aims to optimize the drawbar efficiency of agricultural tractors through the generation and analysis of traction curves under different load levels, in order to determine the operating point of maximum efficiency and provide technical criteria for machinery calibration in Costa Rica.
The study will be conducted at the School of Agricultural Engineering, Costa Rica Institute of Technology, using a Same Explorer II 75 4WD tractor coupled with a subsoiler and a breaking harrow, subjected to five load levels defined by working depth. Precision instrumentation including a drawbar dynamometer, GNSS receiver with differential correction, slip sensors, and soil moisture sensors will be employed to record traction force and travel speed.
Experimental data will be processed using R software and statistical analysis, applying non-linear regression models to generate traction, power, and drawbar efficiency curves. The optimal slip range will be identified, and the effect of soil moisture on tractor performance will be evaluated.
The expected outcomes include the development of local reference traction curves, determination of the point of maximum drawbar efficiency, and technical guidelines for energy-efficient tractor operation. The results will contribute to the rational use of engine power, reduced fuel consumption, and sustainable mechanization practices in Costa Rican agriculture.

Optimizar la eficiencia tractiva en tractores agrícolas mediante la generación y análisis de curvas de tracción bajo distintos niveles de carga

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