2023 AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING

BOARD EXAM REVIEWER

ENGINE AND TRACTORS

by

Engr. Alexis T. Belonio, MS

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer
ASEAN Engineer

VOLUME 8 –AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY AND

MECHANIZATION
Disclaimer

Photos, illustrations and schematic diagrams of equipment or machine parts are shown in
the presentation solely for educational purposes to facilitate comprehension of the topics
by the students. Showing them does not endorse a product nor imply criticism of similar
products not mentioned.
 INTRODUCTION
☐ Internal combustion engine (ICE) is a device that produces
power by burning normally liquid fuel inside the combustion
chamber of an engine.
☐ It is conventionally used as power source for agricultural machines
to perform various tasks in crop production, in poultry and livestock
farms, as well as in fishery mechanization.
☐ In agriculture and fishery mechanization, small single-cylinder
engines are commonly used by farmers, ranging from 3hp to 16hp
gasoline and up to slightly higher hp diesel engines.
☐ Multiple-cylinder diesel engines are commonly adopted for large
applications like tractors, self-propelled combine harvester, and
many others.
☐ Knowledge on ICE would be helpful for ABE especially when
dealing agricultural and fishery mechanization. It serves as
backbone in ensuring proper and efficient operation of the different
agri-fishery machines.
 USES OF ICE

Power Source for Tractors Driving Power Tillers

Power Source for Harvesters Power Source for Engines

Used to Drive Generator
 CLASSIFICATIONS OF ICE

According to Ignition of Fuel

☐ Spark-Ignition Engine
• Uses spark to ignite the fuel.
• Uses gasoline as fuel.
• Has a carburetor to mix fuel and air.
Spark-Ignition
☐ Compression-Ignition Engine
• Uses high compression to raise the
temperature of the air in a chamber and
ignites the injected fuel without a spark.
• Uses diesel as fuel.
• Uses an atomizer to spray the fuel inside
the combustion chamber of the engine.
Compression-
Ignition
According to Number of Stroke
☐ Two-Stroke-Cycle Engine
• Produces power in one revolution of the
crankshaft.
• Fuel and oil is mixed in the combustion
chamber. Two-Stroke
• Usually high in speed and light in weight.
☐ Four-Stroke-Cycle Engine
• Produces power in two revolutions of the
crankshaft.
• Fuel is burned inside the combustion
chamber.
• Relatively low in speed and heavy in Four-Stroke
weight.
According to Number of Cylinders

☐ Single-Cylinder Engine
• One piston
• Appropriate for small engines
commonly used in the farm,
☐ Multiple-Cylinder Engine Single-Cylinder
• More than one piston (2, 3, 4, 6, 8,
12)
• Appropriate for high-powered
engines for driving tractors and
self-propelled equipment.

Multiple-Cylinder
 Comparison Between Spark- and
Compression-Ignition Engines
Feature Compression-Ignition Engine Spark-Ignition Engine
Type of Cycle ● Diesel cycle where combustion occurs at a ● Otto cycle where combustion occurs at a
Used constant pressure. constant volume.

Introduction of fuel ● Fuel is injected into the combustion ● During the piston's suction stroke, a mixture
to the engine chamber towards the end of the of air and fuel is injected from the cylinder
compression stroke. head.
● Fuel starts burning instantly due to the high ● The air-fuel mixture is injected via the
pressure. carburetor that controls the quantity and
● Fuel pump and injector are required. the quality of the injected mixture.
Ignition of fuel ● Ignition of fuel occurs due to compression ● Spark plug is placed in the cylinder head of
of the air-fuel mixture, spark plug not an engine which creates spark to burn the
needed. fuel.
Compression ratio ● Compression ratio for air is 16 to 20. The ● Compression ratio of the fuel ranges from 6
for the fuel high compression ratio of air creates high to 10, depending on the size of the engine
temperature ensuring diesel fuel to self and of the power to be produced.
-ignite.
Weight of the ● CI engines are heavier than SI engines. ● Engine weight is lighter than diesel engine.
engine
Speed achieved by ● CI engines are heavier and the fuel is ● Petrol or SI engines are lightweight and the
the engine heterogeneously burned; hence, producing fuel is homogeneously burned; hence,
lower speeds. achieving very high speeds.
Thermal efficiency ● The value of compression ratio is higher; ● The lower compression ratio of SI engines
of the engine hence, these engines have the potential to reduces their potential to achieve higher
achieve higher thermal efficiency. thermal efficiency.
 Feature Compression-Ignition Engine Spark-Ignition Engine
Compression Ratio 15 to 21 6 to 9.5 (petrol)
6 to 12 (alcohol)
Pressure after compression 35 to 60 bar 15 to 20 bar
without ignition
Temperature after 600° to 900°C 400° to 600°C
compression without ignition
Excess air ratio 1.3 to 4.0 0.7 to 1.2
Efficiency 0.30 to 0.40 0.20 to 0.35
Specific fuel consumption 230 to 350 g/kW-hr 300 to 400 g/kW-hr
Volumetric efficiency 0.7 to 0.9 0.3 to 0.9
Exhaust gas temperature 400° to 600°C 500° to 900°C
Speed ratio (stationary) 1,300 to 2,500 1,300 to 2,500
Ignition type Self-ignition by injection of fuel into hot Spark ignition of spark plugs
compressed air shortly before piston
reaches the top dead center
 ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

☐ It gives the physical features and

performance characteristics of
the engine in terms of power,
fuel consumption, and efficiency.
☐ An engine specification sheet
provides specific information such
as engine model, performance,
engine photo, specification data,
dimension, and performance
curve.
 ENGINE PERFORMANCE CURVE
☐ It is a graphical representation showing the abilities of rotating
equipment, like engine, at various operating conditions.
☐ It gives the characteristics of an engine in terms of power, fuel
consumption, and torque for a given operating speed .
 AGRICULTRAL TRACTOR

☐ Tractor is an engineering vehicle specifically designed to deliver a

high tractive effort (or torque) at slow speeds for the purpose of
hauling a trailer or a machinery used in agriculture.
☐ A machine used primarily for traction or for pulling an implement.
☐ A versatile machine and a mobile power source for wide variety of
agricultural tasks.
☐ A machine that can perform both stationary and mobile jobs.
☐ A machine that can pull or tow implement through traction from the
drive wheel and/or pull implement through the draft developed from
its drawbar hitch, or power implement through its PTO drive.
 FUNCTIONS OF TRACTORS

☐ Pulling machine behind it;

☐ Pushing machine in front of it;
☐ Operating machine mounted on it;
☐ Transmitting power to other machines through the PTO drive;
☐ Raising, lowering, and controlling machines and attachment by
its hydraulic power;
☐ Driving machines through belt power;
☐ Transmitting power through flexible shaft; and
☐ Furnishing power for fast highway transportation and handling.
 Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
☐ Can work continuously even with heavy load.
☐ Not affected by bad weather.
☐ Can be adapted for draft, belt, or PTO work.
☐ Has considerable range of working speed.
☐ Requires little attendance when not in use.
☐ Readily available when urgently needed.
☐ Requires small storage space.

Disadvantages
☐ Limited overload capacity.
☐ Requires cash outlay for fuel and lubricants.
☐ Requires the operator to have some mechanical skill for
successful operation.
☐ Under some condition, inflexibility of size of power unit for
economical power production.
 DESCRIPTION OF AGRICULTURAL
TRACTORS

☐ Compact Tractor – A four-wheel ☐ Farm Tractor – A four-wheel

tractor of less than 20hp. It is used
for landscaping and gardening
rather than for massive agricultural
tasks. It is equipped with single
12in. moldboard plow and is
capable to plow 1 hectare within 11
to 14 hours.
tractor with no less than 20
brake horsepower. It is used
for massive agricultural tasks
such as plowing, harrowing,
seeding and planting, and
other operations.
☐ Special Type of Tractors

• Tract-Type Tractor – It
consists mainly of two heavy-
duty endless link device
known as tract for traction
purposes. It is used for
heavy-duty operations such
as earth moving and other
industrial jobs requiring
higher power.

• All-Purpose or Row-Crop
Tractor – It is designed to
handle field and belt jobs,
including planting and inter-
tillage activities.
 Front Ballast Wheel Ballast

– Improves stirring for – Improves traction for

2-wheel drive two- and four-wheel
- Improves stirring and drive tractors
traction for 4-wheel drive
 Tractor Ladder

Commonly located at the left side of the operator or right in front

of the tractor
 Tractor Hitch Point

Adjustable Hitch Point Three-Hitch Point and Single-Hitch Point

Single-Hitch Point Three-Hitch Point

 TRACTOR SIZE

Tractor size can be determined based on the following:

☐ Weight – The heavier the tractor, the bigger is its capacity.

☐ Horsepower – The higher the tractor horsepower, the bigger is its
size and the more it is capable of doing wider operations.
☐ Implement Capacity – The more the tractor can draw implement,
the bigger is its size and the faster it can finish the operation.
 DRAWBAR PULL

☐ It is one of the most important factors affecting the performance

of a tractor.
☐ Plowing and other operations are affected by the drawbar
performance of the tractor.
☐ Drawbar pull is affected by the wheel slip and the engine power.
It is also affected by the tractor weight and type, the type and
shape of the running gears or wheel condition of the ground
surface, inflation pressure of tires, and others.
Brake Power Wheel Power

PTO Power Drawbar Power

 REFERENCES
☐ ASAE. ASAE Standards 1997. Standards Engineering Practices
Data. ASAE the Society for Engineering in Agricultural, Food, and
Biological Systems. 2959 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659
USA. Pp. 407-428.
☐ Engine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine
☐ Firing Order. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firing_order
☐ John Deere. Catalog: 5Series. 32pp. www.JohnDeere.co.uk
☐ Hunt, D. and D. Wilson. 2016. Farm Power and Machinery
Management. 11th Edition. Waveland Press, Inc. Long Groove,
Illinois. 360pp.
☐ Machmillan, R. H. 2002. The Mechanics of Tractor – Implement
Performance: Theory and Worked Examples. International
Technology Development Center. University of Melbourne. 165pp.
☐ Miller, R. and R. Miller. 1984. Small Gasoline Engines. Theodore
Audel and Company. Boston. 632pp.
☐ RECOFTIC. Agricultural Tractors.
https://www.recoftc.org/sites/default/files/publications/resources/rec
oftc-0000225-0001-en.pdf
☐ Schulz, E. J. 1977. Diesel Mechanics. McGRaw-Hill Inc. U.S.A.
420pp.
☐ Stephenson, G.E. 1984. Small Gasoline Engines. 4th Ed.
Delmar Publishers Inc. Canada. 279pp.
☐ http://www.kenrockwell.com/190d/index.htm
☐ Tanaka, T. Farm Tractor.. Agricultural Machinery management
Course Handout Sheet. Japanese International Cooperation
Agency. 45pp.
☐ Tractor. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tractor
QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS
1. An engine that burns fuel inside the 4. Distance of the movement of piston
cylinder. from the top dead to the bottom dead
a. External combustion engine center.
b. Internal combustion engine a. Stroke
c. Sterling engine b. Bore
d. None of the above c. Valve clearance
d. None of the above
2. Amount of power that the
manufacturer specified for an engine. 5. Decrease or increase of engine speed
a. Indicated horsepower or flow of fuel.
b. Brake horsepower a. Throttling
c. Rated horsepower b. Clutching
d. None of the above c. Atomization
d. None of the above
3. Constant pressure combustion
cycle. 6. Usable power delivered by the engine.
a. Otto cycle a. Indicated horsepower
b. Diesel cycle b. Brake horsepower
c. Dual cycle c. Rated horsepower
d. None of the above d. None of the above
7. An internal combustion engine
that produces power in one
revolution of the crankshaft.
a. Four-stroke-cycle engine
b. Two-stroke-cycle engine
c. Rotary engine
d. None of the above
8. Ratio of the total volume to the
clearance volume.
a. Compression ratio
b. Air-fuel ratio
c. Bore stroke ratio
d. None of the above
9. Volume displaced by the piston in
making an upward or a downward
stroke.
a. Piston displacement volume
b. Clearance volume
c. Total volume
d. None of the above
10 Ratio of the piston displacement
volume plus the clearance volume
over the clearance volume.
a. Compression ratio
b. Air-fuel ratio
c. Bore-stroke ratio
d. None of the above
11. Device that provides ignition to
a gasoline engine.
a. Fuel injector
b. Carburetor
c. Spark plug
d. None of the above
e. the above
12. Vehicle designed to pull,
propel, and supply power to operate
machinery used in agricultural
operation.
a. Agricultural tractor
b. Automobile
c. Payloader
d. None of the above
13. Ratio of the drawbar power
and the wheel axle power.
a. Lugging efficiency
b. Traction efficiency
c. Mechanical efficiency
d. None of the above
14. Sum of all the resistance acting
on the tractor.
a. Coefficient of traction
b. Running resistance
c. Rolling resistance
d. None of the above
15. Running resistance of a tractor
includes ____.
a. rolling resistance
b. air and acceleration resistance
c. slope resistance
d. All of the above
16. Stirring wheel of the tractor
can be found ____.
a. in front of the tractor
b. at the rear of the tractor
c. in front of the operator’s seat
d. None of the above
17. An attachment to the tractor
for the purpose of changing
traction and stability.
a. Ballast
b. Cage wheel
c. Plow
d. Hydraulic lift
e. All of the above
18. Power drive found at the rear
of the tractor that propels power
implements and stationary
machines.
a. Power take-off drive
b. Hydraulic system
c. Differential gear
d. None of the above
19. An attachment to a tractor’s
rear wheel to increase traction.
a. Ballast
b. Cagewheel
c. Stirring wheel
d. None of the above
20. Tractor part that controls the
travel direction of the machine.
a. Rear wheel
b. Front wheel
c. Stirring wheel
d. None of the above
21. Tractor device that
automatically raises or lowers the
implement in operation to maintain
a given draft.
a. Automatic draft control
b. Automatic position control
c. 3-point linkage
d. None of the above
22. Inherent characteristic of tractors
to maintain or to produce increased
drawbar pull even if the speed is
reduced.
a. Lugging ability
b. Mechanical efficiency
c. Coefficient of traction
d. None of the above
23. Special arrangement of gears that
permits driving member to rotate
slower or faster than the other and
permits operation of driving wheels at
different speed for easy turn.
a. Spur gear
b. Planetary gear
c. Differential
d. None of the above
of the above