Tractors and related field equipment can use a lot of energy on the farm, so it makes sense to take practical steps to optimize their efficiency. There are many ways to do this, including:
* Using tractor test data to select an efficient and effective farm tractor;
* Properly maintaining equipment;
* Reducing tillage to save fuel;
* "Gearing up and throttling back";
* Optimizing wheel slippage;
* Ballasting tractors correctly;
* Matching implement size to the tractor; and
* Selecting the optimal engine and travel speeds.
For more information: Introduction to Energy-Efficient Tractor and Field Operations.
Contributor: Vern Grubinger, University of Vermont
