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Row-crop intercultural activities are widely affected by unavailability of manpower & seasonal nature. Current tractors with lower ground clearance are unable to access field after certain crop stage, may damage crop after certain growth. Some limited mechanization options available (self-propelled boom sprayer) are of higher cost. Crop care activities are intensive and observed consistent increase in cost. To address these challenges and unlock significant business benefits, a novel retro-fit height attachment for tractors has been developed. This attachment empowers tractors to access row-crop fields with crops standing at a height of up to 3 feet, effectively eliminating ground clearance constraints. The benefits of this innovative solution include enhanced accessibility, cost-effective mechanization, heightened operational efficiency, crop preservation, and improved sustainability.

An agricultural tractor is often modified for special farming applications such as horticulture where the standard design is not suitable or accessible. In such cases, farm equipment manufacturers are demanded frugal and cost effect Engineered farming solutions. One such design is the innovative High Ground Clearance Tractor (HGCT) kit offered to increase the Tractor height without damaging the crop during farming operations. In this paper, the author proposes a durability assessment method to evaluate the HGCT kit attachments to meet the durability criteria. Road load data acquisition is done to measure the acceleration and strain levels for various horticulture operations such as tillage, spraying and transportation. Actual operating conditions are simulated with the help of four poster durability setups inside the lab which helps to reduce the field testing for design iterations.

Agriculture machinery industries have always relied on conventional product development process such as laboratory tests, accelerated durability track tests and field tests. Now a days the competitive nature seen in industry concerns need to enhance product quality, time to market and development cost. Utilization of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) methods not only provide solution but also could play key role in tractor development process. The objective is to assess the performance of virtual simulation model of mid segment farm tractor using Multibody System Model (MBS) for predicting the durability loads on virtual proving ground test tracks. Multibody simulation software MSC ADAMS is used to develop a virtual tractor model. Durability test tracks and simulation is carried out as per company testing standards. Data measurement is done using Wheel Force Transducer (WFT) to study front and rear spindle forces and moments to evaluate the virtual model performance.

Hydraulic power train assembly of an agricultural tractor is meant to controls the position and draft of the implement depending upon the type of crop, farming stage, implement type and soil conditions. These variations induce extreme range of loads on the hydraulic system, thus making it challenging to design these components. Hydraulic connecting rod is critical component of hydraulic power train assembly. Standards like IS12224, IS4468 governs the design of hydraulic power train components which regulates the test method for hydraulic power and lift capacity of the tractor. In this paper, a virtual simulation process has been established to design a hydraulic connecting rod to meet the requirements. The hydraulic connecting rod basically functions as a short load transferring link, which is subjected to the operating hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic lifting mechanism. The current circular connecting rod is higher in weight and cost.

A hydraulic power train assembly of an agricultural tractor is meant to lift the heavy implements during field operations and transportation. As it is a crucial member of the tractor for its usage, so the power train assembly needs a properly designed lift arm, rocker arm assembly with better strength and stiffness. There are a standard like IS12224, IS4468 which regulates the test method for hydraulic power and lift capacity of tractor and the layout of hydraulic three point linkage. Computer aided engineering techniques followed by laboratory testing have been deployed in the earlier stages of the product design & development itself to deliver the first time right products to the customer. In this paper, a virtual simulation process has been established to design an agricultural tractor hydraulic lift arm to meet the above requirements. A Design Verification Plan (DVP) has been developed consisting of 3 load cases.