Computerized Tillage System Calculator Help Manual Created by: Jake Walker, Aaron Weinhold, Adam Duff Agricultural Systems Management Copyright 2004 Purdue University

Getting Started Once the program is loaded, click on the picture to start running the calculator. Once the program is loaded, click on the picture to start running the calculator.

Getting Started After clicking on the picture, the input boxes will start running and ask for your information. After clicking on the picture, the input boxes will start running and ask for your information. Follow these boxes and enter the information requested. When you’re finished, the program will calculate the outputs for you. Follow these boxes and enter the information requested. When you’re finished, the program will calculate the outputs for you. Now lets run through an example! Now lets run through an example!

Selecting Tractor Brand This allows you to select the brand of tractor you will be using. This allows you to select the brand of tractor you will be using. By clicking the drop down arrow, you will be able to see the brands available. By clicking the drop down arrow, you will be able to see the brands available.

Selecting the Model Next you will select the specific model of tractor. Next you will select the specific model of tractor.

Selecting Drive Type This box allows you to select the type of drive that the tractor uses. This box allows you to select the type of drive that the tractor uses.

Selecting Implement Type Now, select the implement you wish to use with the selected tractor. Now, select the implement you wish to use with the selected tractor.

Entering Field Efficiency This box allows you to enter the field efficiency, if known. If not, this can be left blank and a typical value will be entered for you. This box allows you to enter the field efficiency, if known. If not, this can be left blank and a typical value will be entered for you. You must enter this as a number from 0-1. Ex. 85% must be entered in as.85. You must enter this as a number from 0-1. Ex. 85% must be entered in as.85.

Entering Tool Spacing or Width Depending on the implement you choose, the next step will vary. Depending on the implement you choose, the next step will vary. If width is asked here, just enter the implement’s width in feet. If width is asked here, just enter the implement’s width in feet. If spacing is asked, enter the tool spacing in inches. If spacing is asked, enter the tool spacing in inches. *If you do not know the implement’s spacing in feet and only in *If you do not know the implement’s spacing in feet and only in inches, a formula can be entered here to figure it for you. inches, a formula can be entered here to figure it for you. Ex. “=(spacing in inches)/12” Ex. “=(spacing in inches)/12”

Entering Number of Tools If the width is asked in the previous step, this step will be skipped and will not appear. If the width is asked in the previous step, this step will be skipped and will not appear. Otherwise, you will enter the number of tools that the implement has. Otherwise, you will enter the number of tools that the implement has. If you know the working width, but not the number of tools, you can enter a formula as follows: If you know the working width, but not the number of tools, you can enter a formula as follows: =(working width)/(tool spacing in inches)*12

Entering Tillage Depth Next you will need to enter your tillage depth in inches. Next you will need to enter your tillage depth in inches.

Entering Fuel Price Here you will enter the price you pay for fuel. Here you will enter the price you pay for fuel.

Entering Labor Cost Next, enter the price you will be paying for labor during the operation in dollars per hour. Next, enter the price you will be paying for labor during the operation in dollars per hour.

Entering Speeds The next few inputs will ask you for operating speeds in fine (clays), medium (silts), and coarse (sand) textured soils. This is entered in mph. The next few inputs will ask you for operating speeds in fine (clays), medium (silts), and coarse (sand) textured soils. This is entered in mph. You can either enter different speeds for more precise outputs or simply enter the same speed for each soil type. You can either enter different speeds for more precise outputs or simply enter the same speed for each soil type.

Selecting Tractive Conditions Now select the tractive conditions you will be operating in. Now select the tractive conditions you will be operating in. Firm = non-worked ground Firm = non-worked ground Tilled = worked ground, but has settled Tilled = worked ground, but has settled Soft = ground recently worked and not settled Soft = ground recently worked and not settled

Entering Number of Acres The next few steps will ask you the number of acres of fine, medium, and coarse textured soils that you will be operating in. The next few steps will ask you the number of acres of fine, medium, and coarse textured soils that you will be operating in.

Verification After the acreage is entered, a verification table will appear. Here you can accept the inputs or make changes if mistakes have been made. After the acreage is entered, a verification table will appear. Here you can accept the inputs or make changes if mistakes have been made. To do this you simply click on the edit button next to the input you would like to change and click the “make changes” button at the bottom. To do this you simply click on the edit button next to the input you would like to change and click the “make changes” button at the bottom.

Outputs Once the accept button is pushed, it will take you to the output table. Once the accept button is pushed, it will take you to the output table. Here you can look at the breakdown of the outputs for the soil types. Here you can look at the breakdown of the outputs for the soil types. At the bottom of this table are various options to choose from. These will now be explained as you continue. At the bottom of this table are various options to choose from. These will now be explained as you continue.

Field Totals Click on the Field Totals Button. This will take you to the totals for the entire acreage entered. Click on the Field Totals Button. This will take you to the totals for the entire acreage entered. You can then click to go back to the soils output or quit the program. You can then click to go back to the soils output or quit the program.

Put Data in Summary Clicking the “Put Data in Summary” button will take your inputs and the calculated outputs and store them in a summary table. You can do this for up to six different scenarios. The summary table will explained later on in this manual. Clicking the “Put Data in Summary” button will take your inputs and the calculated outputs and store them in a summary table. You can do this for up to six different scenarios. The summary table will explained later on in this manual.

Editing Inputs By clicking the “Edit Inputs” button, you will be able to go back and make changes to the inputs. By clicking the “Edit Inputs” button, you will be able to go back and make changes to the inputs. To do this, simply follow the steps in the previous “Verification” slide. To do this, simply follow the steps in the previous “Verification” slide.

New Scenario The “New Scenario” button will simply start the program over and erase your current inputs. The “New Scenario” button will simply start the program over and erase your current inputs. If you place your outputs in the Data Summary before starting the program over, your scenario information will not be lost. If you place your outputs in the Data Summary before starting the program over, your scenario information will not be lost.

Data Table Summary The “Go to Summary Table” button will take you to the Data Table Summary. The “Go to Summary Table” button will take you to the Data Table Summary. This will show all of your inputs and outputs for the scenario in a printable form. This will show all of your inputs and outputs for the scenario in a printable form. Up to six scenarios can be saved to the summary for comparison. Up to six scenarios can be saved to the summary for comparison. To name each of your scenarios, enter the name into the top row (highlighted in blue) of each scenario. To name each of your scenarios, enter the name into the top row (highlighted in blue) of each scenario.

Data Table Summary You will notice all of your inputs and the calculated outputs in this table. You will notice all of your inputs and the calculated outputs in this table. One feature that this table has is that it shows your optimum speed to operate in each of the different soils (also shown in the soils output table). This is calculated by minimizing the total costs (labor and fuel) by varying your operating speed. One feature that this table has is that it shows your optimum speed to operate in each of the different soils (also shown in the soils output table). This is calculated by minimizing the total costs (labor and fuel) by varying your operating speed. You can then go back and edit your speed inputs to show an “optimized” scenario. You can then go back and edit your speed inputs to show an “optimized” scenario.

Data Table Summary Once the data is evaluated; you can clear the summary form, return to the program to enter more information, clear the last entry, or print the summary all with the buttons at top of the page. Once the data is evaluated; you can clear the summary form, return to the program to enter more information, clear the last entry, or print the summary all with the buttons at top of the page.

Charts and visuals There are four charts included with the program that make comparing different scenarios easy. To look at these, simply click on the correct tab at the bottom of the page. There are four charts included with the program that make comparing different scenarios easy. To look at these, simply click on the correct tab at the bottom of the page. You can always return to the program by clicking on the “outputs” tab and pushing “Return to program.” You can always return to the program by clicking on the “outputs” tab and pushing “Return to program.”

Costs per acre This chart shows the costs per acre for fuel, labor, and also combined costs for all of your scenarios. This chart shows the costs per acre for fuel, labor, and also combined costs for all of your scenarios.

Required Horsepower This chart shows the required horsepower in each of the three soils. This chart shows the required horsepower in each of the three soils. You will also notice the maximum horsepower available from your tractor is indicated with a dash. You will also notice the maximum horsepower available from your tractor is indicated with a dash.

Fuel Costs This chart shows the difference in fuel costs for each of the three soils. This chart shows the difference in fuel costs for each of the three soils. You will notice that the difference decreases as you optimize your speed. You will notice that the difference decreases as you optimize your speed.

Labor and Fuel Costs This chart is similar to the previous one, but combines the labor and fuel costs for each of the soils. This chart is similar to the previous one, but combines the labor and fuel costs for each of the soils. Once again, the differences in soils can be minimized if you optimize the speed as recommended by the program. Once again, the differences in soils can be minimized if you optimize the speed as recommended by the program.

When finished with the program You can now: You can now: Save your information Save your information Print the summary table and/or charts Print the summary table and/or charts Clear your information and start again Clear your information and start again Add more scenarios Add more scenarios Exit the program Exit the program