Classification of tractors based on their purpose:

 Garden tractors, small tractors (15-40 kW)

 Universal medium tractors (50-100 kW)

 Heavy field tractors (100-200 kW)

 Rubber band mechanism and other high-performance tractors (above 200 kW)

 Special purpose tractors: narrow gauge, bridge, etc.

Classification of tractors based on their drive type:

 Rear-wheel drive

 Auxiliary front-wheel drive

 All-wheel drive

Classification of tractors based on their movement mechanism:

 Wheel

 Caterpillar

 Rubber band

the most widely used tractors in agricultural production are the universal tractors.

Main structural elements:

 engine,

 transmission structure,

 steering mechanism,

 movement mechanism,

 towing and hitching structure, power take off (PTO),

 driving compartment.

2.1. The transmission system

 The transmission devices of tractors transmit driving from the crankshaft of the engine to the
wheels and the PTO.

2.1. ábra - Figure 2.1. The transmission system of the tractor

Main components:

 shaft coupling (clutch),

 torque converter (gears),

 differential gear (compensator) and final drive.

The clutch transmits the drive to the movement mechanism through a differential gear and a
final drive. The differential gear is usually automatic, and is operated by the tractor
electronics.

2.2. Tractor Clutch types:

Its task is to create a releasable connection between the engine crankshaft and the other
parts of the power transmission unit.

Single-plate Friction Clutch:

The friction clutch creates a connection between the crankshaft and the drive shaft of the
clutch and the cog-wheel of the gears with one clutch disk or with two in the case of larger
engines. Its connected components are the flywheel which is ulinked to the crankshaft, the
axially movable pressure plate and the friction plate between them, which is made of a thin
steel disc. There is a ring shaped friction lining riveted and glued on both sides of the latter
which is made of a friction increasing, heat resistant material. The pressure plate that rotates
together with the flywheel and the friction plate situated between them are pushed together
by compression springs. At their other end, the springs are supported by the clutch case.
These compressions exert the pressure force required for shifting.

2.2. ábra - Figure 2.2. The Single-plate Friction Clutch

Double-plate Friction Clutch: (Dual Clutch)

        Front plate: driven shaft differential

        Rear plate: PTO shaft

Multiple plate clutches

The hydrodynamic clutch:

Operates automatically, therefore it provides a smooth start. It transmits a small torque at

small rpm after start; but it is capable of providing significant torque at high rpm. Its efficiency
at low rpm is poor, but it improves with the increase of speed.

Centrifugal clutch:

It is used in garden tractors. With the increase of revolutions per minute the flyweights –
beating spring force – are pressed against the inner wall of the drum transmitting the torque
of the engine.
2. 3. Type of Gearbox:
 Types of Gears:

Spur gears are gears in the same plane that move opposite of each other

Bevel gears can be used to change the direction of drive in a gear system by 90 degrees.

A ‘rack and pinion’ The ‘pinion’ is the normal round gear and the ‘rack’ is straight or flat

Worm gears: The worm only has one tooth but it is like a screw thread. The worm wheel is
like a normal gear.

Agricultural machines require different operation speed and pulling power demand. For this,
the ability of changing the rpm and torque of driven wheels between wide limits is necessary.

Transmission types:

Mechanical gearboxes are usually made in normal (traditional) or planetary gear versions.
Integrating multiple different teeth numbered gear pairs rpm and torque can be modified in
proportion to the number of teeth. Kuckle-joint coupling is used for the movement of the
gears.

The speed allocation of modern transmissions ensures optimal speed for every operation
from the climbing speed required for planting to road transportation. Therefore, modern
universal tractors have multiple gears, often providing the same gear in forward and reverse
mode. Speed allocation is not linear, since field operations require more gears than road
transportation. Multiple gears therefore are not unnecessary, because many factors
influence the speed demand of certain machines (for example the type of the breast-board,
soil type, energy consumption, etc. in the case of ploughing).

Synchronizer gearbox:

In the case of synchronized transmission there is a fixed gear on one of the shafts and an
idler gear on the other. The connection between the shaft and the annular coupling is
created through the movement of the coupling. The advantage is easy shifting and quieter
operation.

Freewheel running gear:

2.3. ábra - Figure 2.3. Gearbox

Hydraulic clutches:

The certain gears can be shifted without interrupting torque transmission (under load) with
the help of the hydraulic clutches.

During the operation of towed machines that require large torque it is advantageous if gears
or some of them can be shifted under load (Powershift). This is solved by means of oil bath,
multiple disc hydraulic clutches or planetary gears with the braking of the crown wheel. The
planetary gear is an element of the transmission. Shifting can be done without the operation
of the clutch by pushing a button. Power-shift transmissions are energetically beneficial, they
simplify the operation of the machine and allow the increase of area capacity.

Fendt Vario CVT Transmission system:

CVT (continuous variable transmission) completely stepless speed

Allows stepless speed change. The engine does not have a mechanical connection with the
wheels. Driving energy is transferred by a piston pump into the hydraulic motors with the
help of hydraulic oil. Stepless transmission can be realised through the angle change of the
axial piston pump housing.

Power is split two ways - a variable hydrostatic pump drives the ring gear a sun-gear set.

2.4. ábra - Figure 2.4. CVT (continuous variable transmission) system

2.4. The differential
If the tractor is operating on a straight path, the rpm of the two axle-shafts are the same.
During turning the wheel with larger thread-resistance rotates slower than the outside wheel.
The gears of the axle-shafts rotate the planet-wheels around their on axis (lateral axis). The
planet-wheels accelerate forward the gear of the axle-shaft of the outside wheel. The inside
wheel falls behind as much as the outside wheel accelerates forward. The rpm difference
between the two wheels is realized by the planet wheels, because they not only rotate with
the differential cage, but they also rotate around their own axis.

2.5. ábra - Figure 2.5. The differential

In vehicles, the differential allows each of the driving road wheels to rotate at different
speeds.

If you would like to turn right, the left side wheel must rotate faster.

While both wheels supplying equal torque.

The planet gear does not rotate, and both wheels turn at the same rate.

If the left side gear encounters resistance, the planet gear rotates about the left side gear, in
turn applying extra rotation to the right side gear.

The differential lock:

During off-road driving, if one of the driven wheels gets stuck, the other wheel is unable to
move the vehicle because of the differential. The differential lock disables the differential by
mechanically ulinking the axle-shafts. For the realisation of that it is enough to ulink one of
the axle shafts and the differential cage.  

The differential lock cuts out the action of differential.

It can be used only while travelling in a straight.

2.5. PTO Categories (power take-off):

provide power to an attachment or separate machine

The task of the power take-off is to transfer the torque of the tractor engine towards he
machines operated by it. The agricultural tractor is not only a hauler, but also the energy
source of the machines and devices operated by it. The PTO-shaft can be located at the end
of the tractor, in the middle of it in parallel with its longitudinal axis and on modern vehicles
on the front. Its rotation is clockwise when looking at it from the front.

Type 1:        P= up to 65 kW (Small Tractor)

                        Rotation speed = 540 rpm, D= ø35 mm shaft,

Type 2:        P= 45 kW to 120 kW (Medium Tractor)

                        Rotation speed = 1000 rpm, D= ø35 mm shaft,

Type 3:        P= 110 kW to 190 kW (high-power tractors)

                        Rotation speed = 1000 rpm, D= ø45 mm shaft,

 2.6. ábra - Figure 2.6. The PTO shaft

These applications typically use a cardan shaft and bolted joint to transmit power to a
secondary implement.

.6. The three-point hitch (Three-point ulinkage):

The mounted and semi-mounted ulinking of machines to the power machines is done by the
mounting structure of the tractor. The three-point hitch is used for ulinking the tractor and the
mounted working machine. The ulinkage consists of two main components: one is a system
of arms made of bars which ulinks the machine to the tractor. The other is the lifting device
which consists of the hydraulic pump, the control valve and the hydraulic slave cylinder.

The towed machines can ulink to the towbar, a security towing-hook or the towing board
connecting the bars of the three-point hitch. Two-axle trailers are ulinked to a security
towing-hook. The connection of single axle trailers requires a special towing-hook, because
such a load falls on their towbar which excludes manual movement. Therefore tractors can
be equipped with hydraulic towing-hooks. The hydraulic towing-hook can be moved with the
three-point hitch, and the towing-hook component can be lowered to ground level. After the
connection and lifting of the trailer the towing-hook closes and becomes sealed.

Types of the tractor machine-tool connection:

 Semi-mounted machines are connected to the towbars of the three-point hitch. In

this case the third point of supporting is provided by a depth limiter (tail) wheel.

 Mounted machines are connected to the three connection points of the three-
point hitch.

 The installed machines are machine tools of power engines which have
connection points formed on them.
2.7. ábra - Figure 2.7. The three-point hitch

The mounting structure of power machines has an electro-hydraulic control system, which
monitors work depth, situation control, the floating position, fast lowering, slipping (if speed
control is carried out by radar), shock reduction, transportation position stabilization, the
external switches, lifting height limitation, lowering speed control, etc. It may carry out certain
control tasks, for example the horizontal control of semi-mounted ploughs. Control functions
make the work of the operator easier and provide opportunity for him to pay more attention
to other important functions.

Bar system of the mounting device: the upper is a supporting bar adjustable by means of a
screw shaft, and the lowers are hydraulically liftable and lowerable towbars.

Three-point hitches are composed of three movable arms.

The two outer arms - the hitch lifting arms - are controlled by the hydraulic system, and
provide lifting, lowering, and even tilting to the arms.

The centre arm - called the top ulink - is movable, but is usually not powered by the tractor's
hydraulic system.

Each arm has an attachment device to connect implements to the hitch.

Each hitch has attachment holes for attaching implements, and the implement has posts that
fit through the holes.

The lifting hydraulics:

Within the hydraulic lifting device, hydraulic fluid is transferred from the tank to the control
valve of hydraulics by a gear pump. This pump directs hydraulic oil – depending on its
position – either to the hydraulic slave cylinder or back into the oil tank. During lifting the
control valve directs the high-pressure hydraulic oil into the slave cylinder where pressure
lifts the piston. The piston has a hinged connection with the lifting shaft and it lifts the
connected machine tool through its movement.

2.7. Brakes
The task of the brake system is the speed reduction of the tractor, its stopping and
stabilization in a stopped position. The brake system has to enable the most efficient speed
reduction and the stability of the tractor during braking as well as the braking of the trailer
without jack-knifing.

For the sake of the above, the vehicles have to be equipped with two kinds of brakes, which
are able to operate separately. These are: the operating brake system (pedal brake), which
affects the two rear wheels and the stabilizing brake (handbrake), which has to brake and
stabilize every wheel situated on one shaft of the vehicle.

Brakes convert kinetic energy into heat by creating friction. System must have very high
reliability

Types of brakes:

        Disk

        Drum

Types of brakes System:

        Mechanically Operated

        Hydraulic Operated

        Pneumatically Operated (trailer)

Disk Brakes:

Caliper squeezes pads to create force on the surfaces of the rotor.

Used in most automotive applications.

Benefits: Simple design. Self-adjusting. Rotor venting allows faster heat dissipation

2.8. ábra - Figure 2.8. Disc brake System (above) - Drum brake System (bottom)
Drum Brakes:

Expanding shoes create force on the inner surface of the drum

Self-energizing design requires less activation force, good for hand brake

Require periodic adjustment (abrasion)

Hydraulic Brake system:

The operation of the hydraulic brake system:

The brake master cylinder connected to the pedal and the system as a whole is in a constant
hermetically filled status by the brake fluid coming from the brake fluid tank situated above
the brake master cylinder. The motion of the brake master cylinder piston first closes the
filler opening of the brake fluid tank, then it presses the brake fluid into the wheel brake
cylinders through a dual one-way valve.

 Modern braking system uses a master cylinder with two pistons to ensure a fluid leak can
be isolated to one of the wheels.

2 Types:
        Front - Rear split: One piston for front brakes and one for rear

        Diagonally split: One piston drives one front wheel and one rear wheel

Tandem Master Cylinder

Power Assistance:

Power booster reduces pedal force required to stop vehicle

Engine vacuum is used to actuate a large diaphragm

When the pedal is depressed, vacuum is applied to only one side of the diaphragm and force
is applied to the master cylinder push rod.

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS):

A locked (sliding) wheel offers less braking force than a rolling wheel. The locked wheel also
produces little lateral force, preventing steering control

Wheel speed sensors monitor each wheel speed

ABS controller and high-pressure pump increase or reduce pressure to wheels in order to
maintain consistent wheel speeds

steering wheel

Tire:

The climbing ability of tires is influenced by the shape and equipment method of the climbing
ribs. The climbing ability of the tractor on hard soil is better if the stems of the V point to to
the direction of the movement within the wheel-track.

The form of the tires is based on their task. In the case only steered wheels the tire has
shallow ribs that point towards movement direction. In the case of front-wheel drive the
pattern of the tire ribbing is identical with the driven wheels, but the size of the tire and its
ribbing is smaller. In the case of four-wheel drive the size and ribbing of the four wheels is
the same.

The use of twin wheels makes the turning of tires difficult during steering, therefore
articulated steering is a commonly used solution for high-performance tractors. In this case,
a vertical shaft connects the front and rear parts of the tractor and these two parts can be
turned around the shaft by means of a hydraulic slave cylinder, therefore a proper turning
radius can be ensured in spite of the large size. For the majority of the tractors servo
steering is used, so steering is only controlled by the operator the required force is provided
by the hydraulic system. This means that the system works only with an operating engine.
The use of a half caterpillar-belt or a rubber band movement mechanism results in the
further increase of the supported surface. In this case a chain wheel is put in the place of the
moving wheel.

Operation of power machines:

A comfortable driving compartment supports the effective use of power machines, because
its formation is based on strict ergonomic requirements. Concentrated, 12 hour shifts can
only be completed if the driver works under healthy circumstances in a shock-free, low
noise, proper temperature, fresh aired cockpit which is supplied with combined control units
which concentrate functions and which has a proper view towards every direction. Therefore,
modern cockpits are equipped with modern spring suspension, comfortable and adjustable
seats and air conditioning. Adequate lighting is important, because daylight visibility has to
be created in dark conditions as well. Often 10-12 lamps provide light for that. Parts of the
complex tasks of the operator have to be taken over by the electronic control units. The
display which provides information about operation has to be within the sight of the operator
without disturbing the view.