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CourseOff-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery Applications open

Tractor Consumption Testing Course

300-hour online course in tractor consumption testing. 6 modules with OECD Code 2 (official tractor performance test), ISO 789-1 (power take-off power test) and NI LabVIEW. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain the standardised methods for measuring tractor consumption.

02

Plan bench and power take-off consumption tests.

03

Carry out drawbar consumption tests.

04

Design representative field tests of real operations.

05

Select instrumentation and process consumption data.

06

Interpret official tractor test reports.

07

Use the results to select and adjust the tractor to the farm operation.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Tractor test engineer who wants to specialise in tractor consumption testing.
  • Agricultural machinery laboratory technician who wants to specialise in tractor consumption testing.
  • Engine development engineer who wants to specialise in tractor consumption testing.
  • Agricultural machinery technical consultant who wants to specialise in tractor consumption testing.
  • Agricultural energy efficiency technician who wants to specialise in tractor consumption testing.
  • Tractor product manager who wants to specialise in tractor consumption testing.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to join tractor manufacturers.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • OECD Code 2 (official tractor performance test)
  • ISO 789-1 (power take-off power test)
  • ISO 3046-1 (reciprocating internal combustion engine performance)
  • ISO 8178 (exhaust emission measurement of reciprocating internal combustion engines)
  • Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 (emissions from non-road mobile machinery)
  • ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing and calibration laboratories)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Specific consumption and consumption per hectare
  2. 1.2Power at the power take-off and at the drawbar
  3. 1.3Tractor efficiency and losses
  4. 1.4Standardised tests and their scope
  5. 1.5International test codes
  6. 1.6Official reports and how to read them
  7. 1.7Comparing tractors: necessary conditions
  8. 1.8Difference between testing and real work
  9. 1.9Uses of the result: purchase, adjustment and training
  10. 1.10Workshop: critical reading of a test report
  1. 2.1Test bench and dynamometer brake
  2. 2.2Measurement of torque, speed and power
  3. 2.3Measurement of fuel flow
  4. 2.4Ambient conditions and corrections
  5. 2.5Power and torque curves
  6. 2.6Specific consumption curve
  7. 2.7Testing at rated speed and at partial speeds
  8. 2.8Tests with and without auxiliaries
  9. 2.9Measurement uncertainty
  10. 2.10Practice: obtaining curves from data
  1. 3.1Test track and ground conditions
  2. 3.2Measurement of traction force and speed
  3. 3.3Slip and its measurement
  4. 3.4Ballasting and tyre pressures
  5. 3.5Drawbar power and traction efficiency
  6. 3.6Concrete and soil tests
  7. 3.7Effect of tyre type
  8. 3.8Repeatability and number of repetitions
  9. 3.9Safety during testing
  10. 3.10Practice: drawbar test plan
  1. 4.1Plot test design
  2. 4.2Selection of operation and implement
  3. 4.3On-board instrumentation and recording
  4. 4.4Measurement of worked area
  5. 4.5Calculation of consumption per hectare
  6. 4.6Control of variables: moisture, speed and depth
  7. 4.7Comparison between tractors on the same plot
  8. 4.8Statistical analysis of results
  9. 4.9Test documentation
  10. 4.10Practice: design of a comparative test
  1. 5.1Fuel flow meters and fuel balances
  2. 5.2Machine bus data and its reliability
  3. 5.3Torque sensors at the power take-off
  4. 5.4Measurement of actual speed and slip
  5. 5.5Synchronisation and sampling frequency
  6. 5.6Equipment calibration
  7. 5.7Log cleaning and error detection
  8. 5.8Calculation of indicators from logs
  9. 5.9Data archiving and traceability
  10. 5.10Practice: processing a test log
  1. 6.1Adjusting the tractor based on results
  2. 6.2Choosing efficient gear and engine speed
  3. 6.3Optimal ballast and tyre pressures
  4. 6.4Operator training in efficient driving
  5. 6.5Purchasing criteria based on testing
  6. 6.6Monitoring consumption on the farm
  7. 6.7Common errors in consumption measurement
  8. 6.8Communicating results
  9. 6.9Relationship with manufacturer tests
  10. 6.10Final project: test report and consumption improvement plan
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Fully 100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine study with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is NI LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python (pandas), advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real consumption test procedures for power take-off testing on a dynamometer brake, field work cycles with a fuel flow meter, and consumption comparisons between tractors. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test bench, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-driven Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry-mentored:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, OT cybersecurity, DIH and compliance as its pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Adjusting the tractor based on results

Explain the standardised methods for measuring tractor consumption.

Choosing efficient gear and engine speed

Plan bench and power take-off consumption tests.

Optimal ballast and tyre pressures

Carry out drawbar consumption tests.

Operator training in efficient driving

Design representative field tests of real operations.

Purchasing criteria based on testing

Select instrumentation and process consumption data.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Tractor test engineerAgricultural machinery laboratory technicianEngine development engineerAgricultural machinery technical consultantAgricultural energy efficiency technicianTractor product manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.

You work with NI LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python (pandas) and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

An SEIUM diploma of your own upon passing continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.

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