By Geitner Simmons
To most, the sight may look innocuous — a tractor going round a huge oval track on the north side of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus. This familiar activity at the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory looks quite simple. In reality, it’s not.
The test lab, in operation since 1920, involves advanced engineering and high-technological science. Its sophisticated test results provide information crucial for industry standards worldwide.
For producers deciding on a tractor purchase, the benefits are straightforward and direct. The test lab’s reports on tractors’ power output, fuel efficiency, mechanical safety and noise levels are all publicly available. Over the decades, the lab has tested more than 2,300 models. Producers and companies around the world follow the test findings. A world map at the university’s Digital Commons shows that over the past year, downloads of the lab’s test reports topped 373,000. These downloads came from countries across the globe, including Brazil, Italy, Kuwait, Ukraine and India.
By checking online to compare models, viewers can make knowledgeable decisions by comparing the numbers directly. Eric Smith, the test lab’s director, said, “You can see what will give you the best return on your inputs for fuel, diesel and diesel exhaust fluid (injected into diesel tractor exhaust to reduce harmful emissions).”
Source : unl.edu