Development and test of tiny remotely controlledelectric tractor for greenhouses

To solve the problems of serious pollutions, going along with the machine, inconvenient operations and high operating costs etc, a tiny remotely controlled electric tractor was designed. Its overall performances were tested in plowing condition for greenhouse. The results showed that the tractor exhibited good turning maneuver performance with the minimum turning radius of 418 mm, which can be used in greenhouses under the relatively narrow operating environment. Traveling rectilinear was preferable with the yawing rate of 0.86%. Parallelogram mechanism and shovel in conjunction with single ploughshare turnover plow effectively solved the problem of partial traction. The operating efficiency was 720 m2/h, continuous operation time was 2.5 h. The operating energy costs were approximately 14.4 yuan/hm2, which were 89.2% and 79.3% to 88.7% lower than those of Lantian 1DN-4 micro-farming machine and Hesheng 1Z-105 micro-cultivator, respectively. The results suggested that this machine had more significant economic benefits and was suitable for the operational requirements of the special environment of greenhouses and sheds.