Agricultural Tractors

11B1930

Bachelor

German

5.0

only winter term

1 semester

The tractor is the central and universal implement in agriculture. Its field of application ranges from pure transportation on roads, grassland and fields to the use of mounted or towed implements, some of which have very specific purposes. It is also possible for the control systems of the mounted implements to specify the operating parameters for the tractor (keyword “implement controls tractor”).

- Tractor types: Universal and special tractors, system vehicles

- Functions of agricultural tractors:
  - Pulling
  - Carrying
  - Guiding
  - Driving
  - Controlling

- Tractor assemblies:
  - Chassis
  - Engine
  - Transmission (standard manual transmission, continuously variable and power-split transmission)
  - Wheels and tires or belts and chains
  - Cab
  - Equipment interfaces (incl. standards and regulations (e.g. STVO and STVZO))

- Terramechanical basics:
  - Contact surface pressure, stress distribution, as well as slip and tractive force coefficient for tractive force transmission, soil compaction
  - Tractors in off-road use
  - Contact and power transmission between tires/chassis and ground

- Mechanical, hydraulic and electric implement drives, incl. their control and regulation

- Electrics and electronics: - ISO 11783 and SAE J 1939

- GPS and automatic steering systems

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

• Homework / Assignment and Oral presentation, with written elaboration

The following information on the scope and duration applies to each of the examination types permitted in the module. 

• Term paper: approx. 10 - 25 pages
• Presentation: 20 minutes presentation plus approx. 10 minutes discussion

Basic mathematics, Mechanics and Design Theory

After completing this module, students will be able to explain the overall function of the tractor and derive sub-functions from it and represent their implementation in technical assemblies. They will be able to recognize, describe and analyze the tractor as a subsystem in the overall system “human-tractor-implement-soil-plant”. They recognize the interrelationships in this system, analyze the interactions that occur within it and assess the interaction and dependencies of the individual components (including technical and economic design optimization).

After completing this module, students will be able to describe the interactions between the chassis and the ground, as well as between the tractor and the implement, and draw conclusions from this.

Students are able to explain the requirements of the german traffic and transportation laws (STVO and STVZO), as well as the ISOBUS standard ISO 11738 for tractors and describe implementation options. They can recognize and exploit technical potential for economic, ecological and ergonomic improvements. At the end of the module, students present the results they have achieved in a written report and a presentation. They can summarize the contents of important regulations and describe test methods. After completing the module, students understand the different boundary conditions for analyzing the overall system “human-tractor-implement-soil-plant”. They will be able to identify suitable components and procedures and develop and discuss suitable applications with regard to technical, ergonomic and social challenges.

Graduates are able to apply knowledge and understanding to professional activities and develop or further develop solutions to problems in the use and application of tractors. This includes the application and activation of acquired knowledge, a critical understanding of knowledge and a methodical expansion of knowledge.

Graduates derive and define research questions from the field of tractor technology and applications. They explain and justify the operationalization of research and apply research methods, present and explain research results.

At the end of the module, the students present the results they have worked out in cooperation in the project group in a written report and a presentation in a clearly structured form.

Graduates develop a professional self-image that is oriented towards goals and standards of professional action in professional fields that are predominantly outside of science; they justify their own professional actions with theoretical and methodological knowledge and are able to assess their own abilities, reflect autonomously on relevant freedom of design and decision-making and use this freedom under guidance. They recognize situation-appropriate framework conditions for professional action and can justify their decisions in terms of ethical responsibility. They reflect critically on their professional actions in relation to social expectations and consequences.

• F?lster, Nils

• F?lster, Nils