An integrated control strategy for reducing equivalent fuel consumption and improving traction efficiency of a distributed hybrid electric tractor considering farmland terrain adaptability

In recent years, hybrid electric tractors have attracted wide attention from agricultural researchers and manufacturers. As a core component, the control strategy plays a critical role in determining both power performance and fuel efficiency. This paper proposes an integrated control strategy for distributed hybrid electric tractors (DHET) that considers farmland terrain adaptability, aiming to reduce equivalent fuel consumption and improve traction efficiency. First, the power flow model of each hybrid powertrain component is developed, and a 12-degree-of-freedom dynamic model of the DHET is established. Then, an integrated control strategy consisting of four steps is proposed to determine the optimal values of control variables under current operating conditions. Finally, a DHET prototype is assembled, and the performance of the integrated control strategy is compared with that of two other strategies in real-world ploughing conditions. The results demonstrate that the proposed strategy significantly reduces equivalent fuel consumption and improves traction efficiency, particularly in balancing both objectives on complex farmland terrain. This study provides valuable insights into energy savings, operational performance, and terrain adaptability for DHET applications.