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This paper presents a feasibility study for the electrification of a farming tractor. In such an application the working cycle is not that trivial and then the system design is not straightforward: power has to be supplied at both road and power take off for implements. The purpose of this paper is to prove the convenience in adopting hyrid tractor. Therefore, duty cycles and powertrains for agriculture are introduced. Then, by means of simulations, consumptions are compared between traditional and hybrid tractor, including costs analysis. As first approach, the benefit of full electric mode usability for light duty is proved, regardless innovative power management strategies [1].For this work a plug-in solution has been preferred, powered with a parallel mild hybrid electric powertrain.

The introduction of rubber tracks on tractors has allowed more engine power per unit weight than with steel-tracked tractors, together with a reduction in soil compaction and higher on-road speeds. Recently, triangular rubber tracks able to be adapted on conventional wheeled tractors have been introduced. In this context, the goal of the paper is to evaluate the performance of a tractor with four triangular rubber tracks with respect to those of a wheeled tractor; the comparative tests consist of ploughing under on low trafficable and workable soil. The results obtained have shown a higher tractive efficiency, lower soil compaction and up to 20% lower specific fuel consumption for the fully tracked tractor. These results are in accordance with previous tests conducted with the triangular rubber tracks on highly trafficable soil, although in the present case, the dynamic traction ratio is markedly lower due to the low trafficable soil. The use of triangular rubber tracks is therefore justified on low trafficable soils and more in general on different soil conditions, since the soil is less compacted by such traction device.

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Today, agriculture industry has a significant impact in global greenhouse gas emissions. A large amount of pollutants come from diesel internal combustion engines, widely used in agricultural machinery. Since mechanization in agriculture is fundamental to achieve a proper food production for a growing human population, changes are needed in common agriculture engineering thinking in order to develop new farming machinery that could outperform conventional ones in terms of environmental impact, as well as performance, productivity and safety. Electrification is a feasible solution. A comprehensive review about agricultural machinery electrification is reported in this paper, with a particular focus on hybrid electric tractors and their implements. The introduction of electric drives in farming tractors is discussed in detail by looking at the main findings in literature and considering state-of-the-art technology. Proposals and prototypes from manufacturers are covered too, as well as economic assessments and future trends.

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