Using some type of guidance system is also useful in conserving fuel, whether it’s a manual guidance system, called a lightbar, or a more advanced auto guidance system using a differential-corrected global positioning system (DGPS) or real-time kinematic (RTK). These systems prevent overlap in field operations so the operator can get the most work done on the tractor in the fewest passes across a field.

The lightbar system is relatively inexpensive and easy to move from one tractor to another. The driver still needs to steer, but the light shows the proper direction of travel. The automated systems don’t require steering, but they are also more expensive. Staton points out that a farm not using any guidance technology can realize its biggest fuel savings simply by adding a lightbar system.

“In an ideal world, all your tillage equipment would have the same draft requirement,” Staton says. “But sometimes you’re pulling a high-draft implement like a subsoiler, and other times the same tractor is pulling a finishing tool having a significantly lower draft requirement.  

“The easiest way to match draft requirements of various tillage tools is to determine the draft required per foot of operating width for each implement and use this information when sizing your implements,” he says. “Matching the draft requirements of your implements will eliminate the need to reconfigure your tractor for each operation. Otherwise, to get optimum performance, you have to shift weight for each one.”

To learn more, download “Improving Tractor Performance and Fuel Efficiency” from the MSU Extension Web site.