SwRI: Tractor Testing and Technology

	Southwest Research Institute is actively involved in almost every aspect of tractor component, transmission, and hydraulic fluid evaluations.

The tractor laboratory at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has been testing lubricants and components for more than 30 years in a variety of procedures for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well as oil additive suppliers. SwRI has performed:

• Tractor testing

• Tractor hydraulic fluid testing

• ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structure) testing

Tractor Evaluation Capabilities

Recognized as a leader in the testing of lubricants, components, and vehicles, SwRI engineers and technicians work under ISO Guidelines for providing quality testing services in a timely and cost-effective manner. SwRI has a staff of more than 3,300. Among those are scientists and engineers whose expertise can be called upon to resolve technical issues. SwRI also has in-house fabrication, a machine shop, and instrumentation capabilities.

	SwRI engineers designed and assembled a chassis dynamometer for endurance testing of compact utility tractors.

• Thirty years experience in testing tractors and components; many staff members have more than 10 years experience in tractor testing.

• Timely proposals can be prepared, outlining cost-effective solutions.

• SwRI is independent and not-for-profit.

• As part of a long-held tradition, patent rights arising from sponsored research at SwRI are often assigned to the client. SwRI generally retains the rights to SwRI-funded advancements.

• All test data is confidential.

• Customer service is a priority.

• SwRI's goal is to help customers get their products to the marketplace and to help keep them there in response to regulation and competition.

With the cooperation of experienced engineers and scientists from other areas of  SwRI, European Economic Community (EEC) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) tests can be conducted on new tractor designs. Satisfactory test results are needed in order to sell tractors in many European countries.

Examples of tests that can be performed include ROPS, braking tests, and noise tests. Cold weather operation testing can be simulated in SwRI's cold box. Engine and hydraulic system parameters can be recorded by data acquisition systems.
 
An example of our tractor testing capability is our tractor axle dynamometer. This dynamometer was designed for testing agricultural or industrial tractors under controlled conditions. The dyno easily adjusts to accommodate different makes and models of tractors. The maximum torque load that can be applied is in excess of 50,000 lb-ft (67,785 Nm). The torque is controlled independently for each wheel by a microprocessor-based process controller. Data acquisition is also available. This equipment has been used successfully to perform drive train endurance and clutch life tests.

For more information about tractor evaluation and technology capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Michael Lochte at mlochte@swri.org or call (210) 522-5430.