Odometer

[Gary Fowler]

I would think the difference would be the slowing of the tractor when going up the hill vs flat ground. You may not recoup the slow down of going uphill when you turn and go downhill if the tractor engine braking affects the downhill speed. Tire slippage my also factor into it.

Then again, the owner may be stiffing you on the actual acreage of his plot either intentionally or unintentionally. Do a Google Earth measurement of both plots and figure the acreages. Zoom to the largest size that you can plot the entire length by width in order to get the most accurate measurement. I have used this and calculated the area of a port facility in Nigeria and came within 100 sq meters (about .01% difference) of what a professional land survey determined the area to be and this was a very irregular shaped surface with several buildings to be deducted.

 

[ArtMech]

Trigonometry is not my long suit, but aren't you traveling further on the hilly area? Suppose you have an equilateral triangle with a base of 100 yards with the end points labeled A & B and the apex labeled C. If you are on flat ground you would travel 100 yards going from A to B, but on hilly ground you have to go from A to C to B, a total of 200 yards. Does this make sense?

Steve

That is true if the distances AC=CB=100 yards. The odometer will indicate 200 yards undoubtedly. But what will the GPS indicate?

 

[ArtMech]

I would think the difference would be the slowing of the tractor when going up the hill vs flat ground. You may not recoup the slow down of going uphill when you turn and go downhill if the tractor engine braking affects the downhill speed. Tire slippage my also factor into it.

Then again, the owner may be stiffing you on the actual acreage of his plot either intentionally or unintentionally. Do a Google Earth measurement of both plots and figure the acreages. Zoom to the largest size that you can plot the entire length by width in order to get the most accurate measurement. I have used this and calculated the area of a port facility in Nigeria and came within 100 sq meters (about .01% difference) of what a professional land survey determined the area to be and this was a very irregular shaped surface with several buildings to be deducted.

I didn't go into details, but indeed climbing up a steep hill (as well as on steep decent) I'm operating rpm lever to keep up them constant (at ~2000 rpm). Otherwise you'll get out of power. Yes, visible slippage sometimes occur, but just in 2' or 3' long in the very steep uphill. And I'm never reducing the rpms at the turns. So I assume I'm at a constant speed while mowing both, either flat surface or hilly.

Yes, an issue comes from the owners. I've checked the doubtful lot areas in the local maps.lt system. Both are equal. And still, while mowing hilly lot I've spent not only extra time, but also used more fuel. Whereas both owners got the same amount bills. To give them the bills with the different amount, I need to prove the lots are different. If the maps display no difference, than it needs to present other evidence or arguments. From my point of view the odometer read-out may help. I'm not sure it will, but...

 

[Redneck in training]

There are digital laser or radar spedometers/odometers. They are used, in example, in rallye cars or skiing because of constant wheel/ski slipage. Just don't know if they would work for slow moving vehicle.

bookofjoe: World's First Personal Radar Ski Speedometer

Dickey-John make one specificaly for tractors.
Here is a link: http://www.dickey-john.com/products/public-works/ground-speed-sensors/ or http://www.dickey-john.com/product/radar-ii/

 

[Xfaxman]

How about a GPS Odometer for a bicycle or ATV.


https://www.google.com/search?q=GPS...uYGICQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAA&biw=1083&bih=745&dpr=1

 

[ArtMech]

Thank you fellows. I'm carefully reading the links you have passed. :thumbsup:

 

[oldbones]

Don't get on here much this time of year, but if you haven't gotten anything yet, you might look at a "Calc-An-Acre". This does speed, area covered, distance travelled. You have to enter implement widths as you change them. Can get it from many places such as Shoup Parts. I had one on my main field tractor until I got a new planter with a monitor that figures it all, and went gps/autosteer for tillage. They run off magnets that you install on the front wheel hub. Just fyi, the more magnets you put on, the more accurate it is. The magnets are adhesived to the hub, and won't fall off. Had excellent results with mine. With wires and magnet installation, it took about 1/2 day to install.

 

[ArtMech]

if you haven't gotten anything yet, you might look at a "Calc-An-Acre". This does speed, area covered, distance travelled. You have to enter implement widths as you change them. Can get it from many places such as Shoup Parts. I had one on my main field tractor until I got a new planter with a monitor that figures it all, and went gps/autosteer for tillage. They run off magnets that you install on the front wheel hub. Just fyi, the more magnets you put on, the more accurate it is. The magnets are adhesived to the hub, and won't fall off. Had excellent results with mine. With wires and magnet installation, it took about 1/2 day to install.

No, I didn't make a decision yet. I'm trying to collect as much info as possible. "Calc-An-Acre" is a good choice. It's curious that it may be more than one magnet adhesived to a hub to count the wheel revs. I thought it must be the one.
Thanks for your input.

 

[oldbones]

If you want to check it out, here's the link to the operator manual for Calc-An-Acre:

http://www.micro-trak.com/PDF/Calc II July2013.pdf

It explains the magnets and placement. Wish I'd kept my old one when I traded tractors. I could use it on my utility tractor for spraying weeds in CRP ground.
oldbones