| Tractors acquired in Oyo State-Nigeria are primarily utilized for ploughing operations which represents the most costly single item in the budget of an arable farmer. Tractor fuel consumption constitutes a significant parameter that affects tractors performances for ploughing operations. The effect of ploughing speed and depth on tractors fuel consumption was therefore examined in a bid to establish their optimum operating conditions. The soil characteristics of the study site were determined using laboratory tests. Ploughing operations, using ASABE standard D497.5, were carried out on 100×500 m research farmland using Massey Ferguson (MF 435, 100 hp), Fiat (F130D, 100 hp) and Steyr(CVT170, 100 hp) tractors that were purchased in 2009. Field... |
