Optimal Use of Implements

Implement economy is determined by the optimal use of implements according to the task at hand. The revolutions per minute at which tractor engines are operated, travel speed in the field, and the load tractors pull all have a major influence on the fuel efficiency of the equipment. Running equipment at optimal speeds and loads can save significantly on costs like fuel, maintenance, breakdowns, etc.

Questions to Ask:

• Are you using radial tires, and are they properly inflated?
• Is your tractor properly matched to the implement you are using?
• Are you reducing the engine RPM speed when a larger tractor is used with a smaller implement?
• Is your tractor wheel slippage excessive?
• Is a change or reduction in tillage practices possible?
• Is fuel storage shaded?
• Have your engine fuel filters, and air cleaner been replaced or serviced as recommended by the manufacturer?
• Have your engine fuel injectors been cleaned and serviced properly?
• Are you using a timer on your tractor's engine heater?
• For optimal use of implements, the factors to immediately consider is Travel speed, Fuel efficiency and Size of machinery.

Travel Speed

Field travel speed is a major factor in matching tractor to implement. For many operations, the most desirable travel speed is from 5 to 7 miles per hour (6.4 to 9.7 km/h) because most implements are designed to perform high-quality work at these speeds.

Travel speeds below 4 mph (6.4 km/h) result in low field capacities, poor soil mixing for tillage operations, and reduced life of the drive train except for certain operations, such as planting, where precise control is required. Operating equipment at high speeds generally increases implement maintenance, increases tire wear, and reduces the life of the implement. It can also break down soil aggregates, which leads to compaction. Field speeds may be limited by heavy yield, rough ground, operator skill, or downed crops. Irregular and small fields, overlap, and large machinery can affect field efficiency.

Fuel Efficiency

Most tractor engines have the highest fuel efficiency when operated at or near their rated speed and load (maximum power). Primary tillage implements properly matched to the tractor achieve the best fuel efficiency in the field by pulling loads at the fastest speed possible within the acceptable speed range for the implement. This will also reduce the time requirements for field operations and shock loads on the drive train.

If tractor and implement are improperly matched with resulting partial engine loads, increasing travel speed by gearing up and maintaining a full throttle setting to achieve near maximum engine power will usually increase the fuel required. The additional power required for this increased speed and draft more than offsets the fuel efficiencies gained by running the engine at maximum power. While this common practice does not save fuel, it will reduce time requirements. This timesaving may be more valuable than the additional fuel required if more timely operations result in reduced crop losses.

Machine Size

It is important to know that machine recommendations are affected by the characteristics of each individual farm. The following factors do influence machinery selection and need to be considered in the determination of tractor size, implement selection and costing of the whole operation.

Size of the land to be cultivated – as the size of the land to be cultivated increases, the size of the machines also need to increase in order to ensure that soil preparation, planting and harvesting are completed in a timely fashion. This will also influence the choice of having more than one unit working the land.

Availability of labour – The number of acres or hectares that can be completed per day is the most critical measure of machinery capacity, even more than machine width or size completed per hour. Increasing the labour supply by hiring extra operators or by working longer hours during critical periods may be a relatively inexpensive way of stretching machinery capacity.

Tillage practices – The number of field days needed before planting is completed, depends partly on the number of operations per area of land. Reducing the number of tillage practices performed or performing more than one practice in the same trip effectively decreases the amount of machinery capacity needed to complete field operations on time.

Crop mix – Diversification of crops tends to spread out the periods when timely completion of field operations is critical. For example, yield reductions due to late planting begin later for soybeans than for maize. Harvesting can also be completed over a longer period of time.

Weather – Weather patterns determine the number of days suitable, or available for fieldwork in a given period/season each year. Historic information on weather patterns gives us a close enough guide to determine the window of opportunity for fieldwork.

Risk management – The biggest risk on a yearly basis is in fact the weather patterns. Fluctuations in the number of suitable field days vary from year to year and are also the biggest cause of losses if not managed. Thus, finishing the job on time is essential and need to be planned accordingly.