TICSYSTEMFORTRAILEDTACKLENOWANOPTION
TICSYSTEMFORTRAILEDTACKLENOWANOPTION
IT was Harry Ferguson who introduced the first form of automatic draft control for mounted implements when he developed his three-point linkage system. Massey Ferguson has now taken the idea another step further with its TIC system which is designed to provide draft control for trailed implements.
MFs Trailed Implement Control (TIC) system was launched at the end of last year, with the first tractors equipped with the system due to be working on UK farms later this year.
TIC is now offered as an option on MF8200 series tractors from 145hp upwards and will be used mainly with big disc harrows, cultivators and combination implements, says Massey Ferguson. Advantages are claimed to be increased output and efficiency plus reduced fuel consumption.
The system works by measuring the draft force exerted by the implement as it is pulled through the soil. The force is measured by a Bosch sensing pin inserted at the tractor end of the drawbar – changes due to variations in soil or working depth are signalled through to the Datatronic control system in the cab.
When a correction is needed, an electronic spool valve on the back of the tractor operates a ram to adjust the depth control wheels on the implement, with a sensor on the implement to measure the height adjustment.
MF8200 series tractors already equipped with the Datatronic information and control package plus Massey Fergusons Electronic Linkage Control (ELC) system are well on the way to working with TIC. Extras needed on the tractor are the sensing pin, which works with a clevis type drawbar only, plus the electronic spool valve, and these are relatively inexpensive.
The cost of adding TIC in the factory to a new tractor equipped with the ELC and Datatronic units depends on the customers drawbar requirements. The price of 8200 series tractors includes a pick-up hitch, but if this is not needed – and the less expensive clevis drawbar meets the customers needs – the cost saving covers the price of the TIC option and it is fitted free of charge. For those who need the pick-up hitch as well as the drawbar, the cost is £764 on a factory fit basis.
"It is surprising how many customers buying one of the high horsepower 8200 series tractors require a pick-up hitch," says MF sales training manager, Peter Delaney. "Presumably they use the tractor for trailer work, and that is when the hitch is useful. But if they can manage without the pick-up, TIC will not add to the price of the tractor."
The cost saving opportunity does not apply to the implement end of TIC. A sensor is needed to measure changes in working depth and send the data to the main control unit on the tractor. A cam type sensor can be used on most implements, and this could be fitted by the dealer. Cost, including the wiring, is about £500.
An alternative is a "smart" ram which adjusts the working depth and automatically measures the adjustment. This would not fit all implements and could be more expensive, explains Mr Delaney who expects TIC to be used mainly with implements such as heavy Simba and Gregoire Besson disc harrows pulled by the more powerful models in the MF8200 series.
Although TIC is still too new for detailed performance information to be available, a small-scale test in France last year suggested significant performance gains. Time taken to disc one hectare without using TIC was 0.3 hours, and this was reduced to 0.2 hours with TIC working. Fuel consumption in the tests was 8.2 litres per ha without TIC, reducing to 7.1 litres using the control system.
Autumn priority
Peter Delaney concedes that the data refers to only one set of soil conditions and did not amount to a proper evaluation, and he says a more thorough performance test will be one of the priorities this autumn.
"But we believe TIC has the potential to achieve a significant improvement in performance and efficiency – particularly when the working conditions are difficult. This is a complete draft sensing system for trailed implements, and it is the first time it has been available. It is basically similar to using a plough in draft or position control, and it would be logical to expect a considerable difference in performance," he says. *
Above:A depth monitoring sensor mounted on a set of Gregoire Besson discs. Left: TIC uses a drawbar attached at the tractor end by a Bosch sensing pin.
Left: Used with heavy trailed cultivators, the TIC system is claimed to improve performance – both in output and fuel consumption. Inset: Peter Delaney:"TIC is similar to using a plough in draft or position control."