| Popis: |
The concept of controlled-traffic farming is being applied increasingly in systems to improve the economics of agriculture. Wide-frame vehicles, or gantries, allow for traffic-free crop zones that are wider than the approximate 3 m attainable with conventional farm-tractor systems. Several research locations throughout the world have 5 to 10-m wide gantries in use on crop production systems. One general purpose machine, spanning 6 m, is commercially available. The Agricultural Research Service ofthe U.S. Department of Agriculture has purchased two different, specially designed gantries for controlled-traffic research. A 10-m wide vehicle is in use at Shafter, CA. The other, a 7.6 m Wide Frame Tractive Vehicle (WFTV), is in use at Auburn, AL. A description of the WFTV and its satisfactory preliminary operation is provided for those interested in the research capabilities of the vehicle. |
