Energy saving in farming field operations.

Limited fossil energy resources and greenhouse gases emerging from burning the fossil fuels have resulted in energy saving objectives in agriculture. It is most favourable to start the savings from processes which are least affected. In arable farming these are the direct energy inputs in field operations. The operation method of the field machinery has great influence on fuel consumption. In order to guide the driver to optimal operation, a way to show fuel consumption per l ha -1 is needed. A simple and cost effective way to do this was tested at the Helsinki University experimental farm at Viikki. Fuel consumption was measured with the voltage signal from the tractor's own fuel level sensor. The movements and location of the machine were recorded with a simple personal GPS tracker. Results showed that this was a useful method for large field plots and continuous working periods. For guiding purposes the fuel consumption should be displayed in real time. A CAN-based measuring system for fuel consumption measurement is now being designed.