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A 6 year comparative study was conducted to evaluate the performance of agricultural machinery fleets with rubber belt tracks and pneumatic rubber tires from a soil compaction stand point. Crop and soil response were used as indicators to compare the compaction performance of the two machinery fleets. Average winter wheat yields in the track treatment subplots were 6% higher in the first cycle of the crop rotation scheme. However, there was no difference in the average winter wheat yields between the two treatments in the second cycle. Average grain sorghum yields were 5% higher in the track treatment subplots in both the cycles. Cone penetration resistance profiles over the years indicated that fallow treatment reduced soil cone penetration resistance except during an extremely wet season. Yield comparisons between the treatment plots and the county average revealed cumulative effect of subsoil compaction.

The primary problems associated with straight soybean oil as a fuel in a compression ignition engine are due to high fuel viscosity. Transesterification provides a significant reduction in viscosity, thereby enhancing the physical properties of the fuel to improve engine performance. Methyl, ethyl, and butyl esters of soybean oil revealed fuel properties similar to diesel fuel. Engine wear, deposits, performance, and emissions are reported for each of the ester fuel's and reference diesel fuel's 200-hour engine tests. Analysis of lubricating oil samples are also presented as well as complete fuel injection system test results.

An LP-gas industrial engine was adapted operation on hydrogen or LP-gas so that a comparative analysis of the two fuels could be made. Several alterations were made to the engine to allow operation on hydrogen without backfiring. Performance and cylinder pressures of the engine on the two separate fuels was evaluated under various conditions. The effect on engine performance of water induction for controlling backfiring was also studied. The basic intent of the research program was to evaluate the use of hydrogen for an agricultural engine application.