Machinery glossary

Engine hour

Unit of engine run time — basis for maintenance and depreciation.

PTO

Power take-off — transfers rotation from tractor to implement.

Three-point hitch

Standard implement attachment: two lower links + top link, categories 1–4.

Min-till

Minimum tillage without plowing — preserves moisture and structure.

No-till

Direct seeding without tillage — maximum organic preservation.

Parallel driving

GPS guidance keeping machines on straight lines — minimum overlap.

RTK

Real-Time Kinematic — GPS accuracy to 2.5 cm for precision ag.

Section control

Automatic shutoff of sprayer/seeder sections on overlaps.

Variable rate (VRA)

Variable-rate input application from yield maps.

Fuel efficiency

l/ha — the key metric; depends on rpm, gear, tillage depth.

Depreciation

Spreading machine cost over service life (7–12 years for tractors).

Engine load

% of max power; optimum 70–85% for fuel economy.

Slippage

Wheel slip in field: norm 8–15%; above — traction loss and soil compaction.

Ground clearance

Ground-to-lowest-point distance — matters for inter-row work.

Transport speed

Max road speed: 40–50 km/h for modern tractors.

Load limit

Max implement weight for hitch category and front/rear axle.