Context
Within the framework of its activity of lubricants selling, the BP Company recommended to its best customers to install a test rig at the power take-off of agricultural tractors. The Company subcontracted the work to the Agricultural Engineering Department, asking to first develop a specific software making it possible to manage the test rig. It was then asked to carry out and ensure the follow-up for installations in Belgium.Objectives
To update a technical database of the tractors sold on the Belgian market ; to update and improve the management software of tractor’s test rigs according to the users’ requirements ;
to organize and install new tractors inspection centres in Belgium ;
to calibrate, check the good working and save the data measured by the test rigs installed.
Description of tasks
To provide an operational version of the BP Tractor Manager software to all the inspection units being at present in activity ; to propose improvements which can prove to be useful to the development of the BP Tractor Manager software and of BP inspection units, according to the technological development of tractors and/or of the practices of maintenance in the farming sector ;
to carry out the inspection of dynamometric brakes : this inspection includes the calibration of the test rig and the flowmeter ; the checking of the different captors of the air, oil and gasoil temperatures as well as the one of the atmospheric pressure, the data saving of the tests carried out by the customer, the updating of the database ;
to keep up to date the database concerning the tractors information starting from the official tests results of the OECD (including the power and couple curves) or any other sources which can prove to be useful to this updating. To integrate tractors on demand for the communication of technical data and pass on these adaptations by sending the necessary files ;
to ensure a maintenance service of the whole equipment integrated in the units on the exclusive demand of BP or of the customer having received the agreement of BP ;
to provide a support within the framework of the new installations, that is the supply of the different components necessary to the carrying out of the units.
Results obtained
The inspection software was developed and put at the disposal of the partners. At present, 62 test rigs were installed in The Netherlands and 21 in Belgium. The installation, management and technical support of the Belgian testing units are carried out by the Department. The software and updating of the database is carried out every three months for Belgium and The Netherlands.Partners
Mantec – Society of electronic development – Namur.CRAW off coordinator
Ir. Stéphane LOYENAgricultural Engineering Department– CRA-W
Chaussée de Namur, 146
B-5030 Gembloux (Belgium)
Tel : +32 81 627 147
Fax : +32 81 615 847
Email : loyen@cra.wallonie.be
Funding
- BP Benelux, BP Belgium
