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Quasi-Static Tractor Implement Model for Assessing Energy Savings in Partial Electrification

Author

Listed:
  • Matteo Berto

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Gradenigo 6/a, 35131 Padova, Italy)

  • Matteo Beligoj

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Gradenigo 6/a, 35131 Padova, Italy)

  • Luigi Alberti

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Gradenigo 6/a, 35131 Padova, Italy)

Abstract

This paper presents a quasi-static model for assessing potential energy savings through partial electrification of a land leveler implement. The quasi-static model simulates the behavior of the hydraulic circuit components, including the pump and a spool-type flow divider, for a commercial land leveler used in agricultural applications. Two electrification schemes are presented. In the first scheme, the pump, originally driven at fixed speed by the PTO, is driven at variable speed by an electric drive, with no changes in the hydraulic circuit. In the second electrification scheme, the decentralization of the hydraulic system is implemented by using separate variable-speed pumps for each actuator. Results show significant potential energy savings of 9–22% with the first electrification scheme and 45–53% with the second scheme, compared to the traditional non-electrified setup. Our findings demonstrate that electrification could be a strategic choice to improve the efficiency of tractor implements and agricultural machinery.

Suggested Citation

  • Matteo Berto & Matteo Beligoj & Luigi Alberti, 2025. "Quasi-Static Tractor Implement Model for Assessing Energy Savings in Partial Electrification," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:11:p:2766-:d:1664823
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Antti Lajunen & Panu Sainio & Lasse Laurila & Jenni Pippuri-Mäkeläinen & Kari Tammi, 2018. "Overview of Powertrain Electrification and Future Scenarios for Non-Road Mobile Machinery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-22, May.
    2. Francesco Mocera & Aurelio Somà & Salvatore Martelli & Valerio Martini, 2023. "Trends and Future Perspective of Electrification in Agricultural Tractor-Implement Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-36, September.
    3. Mattetti, Michele & Annesi, Gianvito & Intrevado, Francesco Pio & Alberti, Luigi, 2025. "Investigating the efficiency of hybrid architectures for agricultural tractors using real-world farming data," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PB).
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