5 Ways To Improve Fuel Efficiency On Your Farm

Being a farmer or working in the agricultural industry means patiently waiting for a positive turnover during the harvest time. The returns are weighed against the costs incurred through the season and fuel costs are usually of paramount importance. Are your field operations as effective as they can be? Or, could you save money by modifying certain components of your business? Most of the time, the answer is "yes"—your operations might be more efficient and thereby you could save money.

As per major fuel suppliers in Dubai, tillage and field activities account for almost 20% of overall crop and livestock energy consumption. Tractors are a large investment that every farmer hopes will help them achieve maximum efficiency on their farm. If your tractor isn't performing well, your entire agricultural operation may slow down, leading you to miss out on maximum efficiency. Make the most of your tractor investment by following these five tips for improving fuel efficiency on your farm.  
 

5 Ways To Improve Fuel Efficiency On Your Farm 

1. Avoid Over-Tillage

Heavy tillage consumes more fuel versus shallow tillage which is not always necessary. There are energy-saving methods, such as minimal, strip, or no-till, to decrease or eliminate tillage. However, if you determine that tilling (to some extent) is required, secondary tillage should be shallower than primary tillage to make the most use of your fuel and time. Secondary tillage should be half the depth of initial tillage. This lowers compaction, the quantity of moist soil and weed seeds brought to the surface, water loss, and fuel use. Shallower tillage reduces water loss in general, allowing for a longer length of time before irrigation is required. This eventually results in saving water wastage as well which can then be used for other purposes on the farm. 

Another aspect to consider when calculating fuel usage is plow speed. As plow speed increases, so does the amount of power necessary to draw machines and the amount of fuel needed to perform the work. 

2. Use High-Quality Fluids  

It's common sense that what you pour into your tractor affects how it performs. Chemical additive packages in high-quality fluids successfully protect gears, clutches, pumps, gearboxes, hydraulic systems, and many other moving parts. Budget fluids may appear to be a less expensive option, but they may end up costing you more in the long term. To identify high-quality fluids, look for the following labels on the fluid product packaging:

• Anti-wear qualities are provided by a superior wear-protection fluid for clutches, gears, and hydraulic pumps.
• Multi-purpose lubricant that may be used to lubricate a tractor's gearbox, final drives, clutches, wet brakes, and hydraulic systems.
• Product with a high water tolerance that protects components from corrosion and erosion when polluted with water.
• Designed to keep brakes from chattering.
• Suitable for use all year in extreme hot and cold temperatures. 

3. Reduce Wheel Slip

While working in the field, every tractor has some wheel slip. As a result, wheel slip should be managed to get the most effective movement from a tractor's wheels. Too much wheel slip indicates that energy is being wasted due to tire spin, whereas too little slip suggests that the tires are holding too much weight. In both cases, fuel is being squandered unnecessarily. Wheel slip may be reduced by adjusting the tractor's ballast (weighting) and tire pressure - most tractor manufacturers will provide extensive instructions on how to accomplish this for your specific model.

4. Proper weight transfer

The amount of traction power required for plowing has a direct effect on your consumption. If you underestimate the load transfer, your tractor will be unbalanced and you will not get the full advantage of its power.

You may increase your tractor's grip, minimize slide, and get the most tractive power from your engine with no loss by changing the axle load-dependent on the tool being used.

5. Maintain the Apt Tire pressure to save fuel

The most important aspect influencing your fuel usage is the tire pressure dependent on the kind of ground. In the field, an over-inflated tire will cause excessive slide, necessitating more engine power to compensate for the lost grip and better transfer tractive energy to the ground. On the road, an under-inflated tire will have an excessively high contact surface area with the tarmac, causing significant resistance and necessitating additional engine power.

In conclusion, keeping an eye on your fuel efficiency has manifold benefits. Burning fuel unnecessarily is a sure way to tilt your balance sheet in the wrong direction. Diesel trading companies in UAE suggest that machinery involving diesel fuel usage should only be used if they make your job easier and end up being profitable in the long run. Besides, properly maintaining them will avoid additional costs incurred in the event they break down and stop functioning altogether.