The aim of this work is to check the possibility of substantial energy savings in the European agricultural mechanisation. In this analytical survey the possibilities of energy saving in stationary plants nor the indirect savings in chemical inputs are considered. The analysis has been essentially bibliographical, without any direct experimental analysis. After some general considerations on the European farming structure and the present energy requirements of the sector, ,the European agricultural machines and tractors industry is outlined. At the start of this analytical survey, the working schemes and the energy requirements are examined for the different crops. The evolution of tractor manufacturing and the derived machines is also surveyed, gathering the specific implements into the main groups: tractors (and derived machines); soil tillage machines, intercultivation machines and harvesting machines. The evolution and the energy saving potential in tractors and farming machines management is examined and the actions for development are outlined.
Sprache
Verlagsort
Verlagsgruppe
Illustrationen
Dateigröße
ISBN-13
978-94-009-1365-3 (9789400913653)
DOI
10.1007/978-94-009-1365-3
Schweitzer Klassifikation
and summary.- 1 General considerations.- 1.1 Farming structure and mechanisation.- 1.2 Energy consumption.- 1.3 The agricultural machines and tractor industry.- 1.4 Potential energy saving in field mechanisation.- 2 Operational schemes and energy requirements for the different crops.- 2.1 Cereals.- 2.2 Forages.- 2.3 Sugar beet.- 2.4 Potatoes.- 2.5 Oil seed crops.- 2.6 Vineyards.- 2.7 Fruit and citrus tree crops.- 2.8 Olive trees.- 2.9 Energy consumptions for handling in farming activities.- 2.10 Conclusions.- 3 Tractors and agricultural machines manufacturing: Evolution and energy saving perspectives.- 3.1 Tractors and other agricultural vehicles.- 3.2 Primary and secondary tillage machines.- 3.3 Auxiliary machines for crop cultivation.- 3.4 Harvesting machines.- 4 Tractors and agricultural machines management - Evolution and energy saving perspectives.- 4.1 Present operating conditions of the machines.- 4.2 Operative conclusions.- 5 Actions to develop and their impact.- 5.1 Summary of the situation and obtainable benefits.- 5.2 Actions to be continued.- 6 Cost/benefit analysis and conclusions.- 6.1 Preliminary cost/benefit analysis.- 6.2 Conclusions.- 7 Main references.- 7.1 National energy balance and energy saving in general.- 7.2 Crops and agricultural practices energy requirements.- 7.3 Energy saving through a more appropriate use of agricultural machines.- 7.4 Energy saving due to product and process innovations.- 8 Research institutes involved in energy saving in mechanisation.- 9 National manufacturers associations.
