Selecting the right agricultural equipment is essential for increased productivity in farms. The two main considerations when purchasing farm equipment are safety and performance.
InTouch has been instrumental for many importers in finding high quality agricultural equipment and suppliers in China. These farm equipment include, but are not limited to, tractors, planters, sprayers, sorters, dryers, harvesters, and loaders. Here are some of the performance and safety inspection processes InTouch uses in dealing with farm equipment:
Performance Inspection
- Turning and Clearance Diameters – Measures the turning and clearance diameters of agricultural wheeled tractors. Smaller turning and clearance diameter means faster time to get back on track, and thus, higher productivity. ISO 789 covers the methods on determining the turning and clearance radius of tractors.
- Power Take-Off Tests – Measure the maximum power that can be derived from the power take-off of tractors operating at full capacity. This is important as this shows how much work can be done over a period of time and the implements and applications suitable for a specific tractor. These tests also measures the amount of fuel consumed
- Fuel Consumption Test – Measures fuel consumption of a tractor after running at full capacity or after conducting a specified amount of work. This is essential as this shows the fuel efficiency of equipment.
- Hydraulic Power Tests – These tests evaluate the hydraulic system performance of farm equipment. Results include maximum hydraulic pressure, flow rate, and maximum available power. These results are essential in establishing the suitability of a hydraulic system installed on a tractor for specific applications.
- Hydraulic Lift Tests – These tests deal with evaluating the hydraulic lifts installed on agricultural tractors. Test results include maximum vertical power at lower hitch point, maximum vertical range of lift, and distance of hitch point in its lowermost point from the ground. These results are used by farmers in determining which tractors cover their lifting requirements.
- Drawbar Power and Fuel Consumption Tests – These tests measure the available power on the drawbar for drawing implements horizontally and the fuel consumption for such activity over a specified period of time. These test results are important for buyers as they denote maximum towing capacity and towing cost of equipment.
- Braking Speed – Verify the time required for the equipment to completely stop moving from the time the operator steps on the brakes. This test will ensure that the braking system installed on the equipment is sufficient to support its maximum speed and load.
- Waterproofing Test – Verify that farm equipment is provided enough waterproofing mechanisms for protection when used in the paddy field or other highly humid environments.
Safety Inspection
- Operator Seat Vibration Test – This measures the whole-body vibration experienced by an operator when running or operating the equipment on test. ISO 5007 and ISO 5008 provide the guidelines for the vibration testing of tractors and farm equipment.
- Operator Seat Environment Check – This checks the performance of air-conditioning, heating, and ventilating implements used to provide an ideal and safe working environment for operators. SAE J103 and ISO 14269 cover the performance test methods for a variety of implements installed and used in operator enclosures.
- Seat Belt Check – This inspection process checks the compliance of seat belts to standards in terms of location, relative position, anchorage strength, and seat belt assembly strength. SAE J 386 and ISO 3776 provide the tests and guidelines on this protocol.
- Roll Over Protective Structure (ROPS) – Tests the performance of the Roll Over Protective Structure (ROPS), cab or frame, of self-propelled equipment. SAE J 2194 and ISO 3463 cover the tests and implementing guidelines for determining compliance to these requirements.
- Lighting – Verify installation of headlights, taillights, turn lights, flashers, and reflectors that comply with federal and state regulations in terms of number, color, visibility in specified distance, and size.
- Instructional Seat Inspection – Verify that the instructional seat used for training and monitoring located inside the enclosed cab of tractors comply with standard requirements on performance and design. ANSI/ASABE AD23205 is the standard on instructional seats.
There inspection protocols focus on safety and performance evaluation of agricultural equipment. For more detailed inspection processes for your farm equipment, please provide InTouch with the relevant information about your requirement.
