Analyzing Tractor Productivity and Efficiency Evolution: A Methodological and Parametric Assessment of the Impact of Variations in Propulsion System Design

Ivan Herranz-Matey ()
Additional contact information
Ivan Herranz-Matey: Departamento de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-21

Abstract: This research aims to analyze the evolution of productivity and efficiency in tractors featuring varying propulsion system designs through the development of a parametric modeling approach. Recognizing that large row-crop tractors represent a significant capital investment—ranging from USD 0.4 to over 0.8 million for current-generation models—and that machinery costs constitute a substantial share of farm production expenses, this study addresses the urgent need for data-driven decision-making in agricultural enterprises. Utilizing consolidated OECD Code 2 tractor test data for all large row-crop John Deere tractors from the MFWD era to the latest generation, the study evaluates tractor performance across multiple productivity and efficiency indicators. The analysis culminates in the creation of a robust, user-friendly parametric model (R 2 = 0.9337, RMSE = 1.0265), designed to assist stakeholders in making informed decisions regarding tractor replacement or upgrading. By enabling the optimization of productivity and efficiency while accounting for agronomic and timeliness constraints, this model supports sustainable and profitable management practices in modern agriculture.

Keywords: agricultural tractor performance optimization; area productivity; area fuel consumption; smart agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/15/1577/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/15/1577/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:15:p:1577-:d:1707996

Access Statistics for this article

Agriculture is currently edited by Ms. Leda Xuan

More articles in Agriculture from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().