Development and implementation of a human machine interface-assisted digital instrumentation system for high precision measurement of tractor performance parameters

A high precision compact digital instrumentation system was developed to display, collect, and store desirable tractor performance parameters. The system was designed based on the technical capabilities of human machine interface (HMI) technology. A touch screen user friendly HMI-assisted data acquisition unit was developed to control different procedures of the system for continuous measurement of the tractor performance parameters (driving wheel slip, forward speed, fuel consumption, working depth, and required draft force or drawbar pull of implement) with data collection rate of 90 Hz. Commercial transducers used to develop the system were calibrated for desired measurements. The system was mounted on an agricultural diesel tractor (MF-399) and assessed under static and dynamic conditions. Results of calibration trials indicated a high correlation between actual and measured variables. Maximum errors of less than 5% for stationary assessment of the instrumented tractor in two-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) modes proved an acceptable accuracy of the system. Satisfactory operational efficiency of the system under dynamic field conditions resulted in quick response to small changes of the tractor performance parameters. The system is flexible enough to be easily integrated on any 2WD or 4WD tractor. Practically, the system would be very useful for experimental practices, educational and research studies.