Reviewed October 1993
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Field operations needed to culture crops pose a major fuel demand. Farmers can save significant money and energy if they use field operation plans that provide adequate crop care with minimal fuel consumption.
Fuel requirements for all field operations vary somewhat by location and date of operation. Tillage fuel requirements are especially difficult to predict. Moisture content, soil type and depth of operation also directly affect fuel consumption.
Table 1 lists estimates of fuel consumption for selected field operations. (Values given are for actual field work and do not include travel to and from the field.) The values are estimates -- it should be understood that fuel consumption for any operation may vary considerably.
Obviously, if the number of field operations is reduced, fuel consumption (and cost for fuel) will be reduced. Only those field operations that are essential for each crop should be done.
Table 1
Estimates of fuel required for selected field operations
| Machine (mph) | Ground speed | Power required per foot of width (Pto Hp) | Diesel fuel consumption | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plow, moldboard (8-inch depth) | 4.5 | 13.5 | 1.68 gallons per acre | |
| Plow, chisel (8-inch depth) | 5.0 | 9.3 | 1.10 gallons per acre | |
| Disk, tandem | Corn stalks | 5.0 | 3.5 | 0.45 gallons per acre |
| Chisel plowed | 5.0 | 4.3 | 0.55 gallons per acre | |
| Moldboard plowed | 5.0 | 5.6 | 0.65 gallons per acre | |
| Disk, heavy offset | 5.0 | 8.0 | 0.95 gallons per acre | |
| Field cultivator | 5.5 | 5.2 | 0.60 gallons per acre | |
| Harrow, springtooth | 5.5 | 3.5 | 0.40 gallons per acre | |
| Harrow, spiketooth | 6.5 | 2.5 | 0.30 gallons per acre | |
| Cultivator, row crop | 4.5 | 3.2 | 0.45 gallons per acre | |
| Rolling cultivator | 5.5 | 2.5 | 0.35 gallons per acre | |
| Rotary hoe | 7.0 | 2.3 | 0.25 gallons per acre | |
| Anhydrous applicator | 5.0 | 5.5 | 0.65 gallons per acre | |
| Planter, row crop |
Conventional | 4.5 | 3.5 | 0.50 gallons per acre |
| No-till | 4.5 | 2.0 | 0.35 gallons per acre | |
| Grain drill | 4.5 | 2.5 | 0.35 gallons per acre | |
| Corn picker | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.15 gallons per acre | |
| Combine | Small grain | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.00 gallons per acre |
| Soybeans | 3.0 | 3.3 | 1.10 gallons per acre | |
| Corn and milo | 2.0 | 4.0 | 1.60 gallons per acre | |
| Mower | Cutterbar | 6.0 | 2.3 | 0.35 gallons per acre |
| Rotary | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0.80 gallons per acre | |
| Mow-condition | 5.0 | 3.0 | 0.60 gallons per acre | |
| Swather | 6.0 | 3.0 | 0.55 gallons per acre | |
| Rake | 5.0 | 1.0 | 0.25 gallons per acre | |
| Baler | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.45 gallons per acre | |
| Sprayer | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0.10 gallons per acre | |
| Forage harvester | Green chop | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.95 gallons per acre |
| Haylage | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1.25 gallons per acre | |
| Corn silage | 1.5 | 5.0 | 3.60 gallons per acre | |
G1208, reviewed October 1993