Comprehensive Analysis of Aero-Thermal Flow Characteristics in an Agricultural Tractor Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation

This study employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to analyze airflow and thermal characteristics within an agricultural tractor, focusing on operator comfort and component safety. Initial simulations identified hotspots, such as the brake pedals, operator platform, and hand throttle, where temperatures exceeded acceptable limits (rise over ambient, ROA). A multi-step approach—including sealing air leaks, adding heat insulation materials, and optimizing the deflector guard—was implemented to mitigate excessive heat. While these modifications significantly improved temperature conditions on the right platform, the left brake pedal remained problematic. Further enhancements, such as sealing an electrical socket and modifying the shroud design, effectively reduced heat exposure. The improved shroud also led to a slight decrease in static pressure (2.21%) and an 8.61% reduction in power consumption, improving airflow efficiency. Although an alternative ring fan design reduced power consumption, it increased pressure, potentially restricting airflow. Conversely, sealing and shroud design modifications improved efficiency with a slight decrease in static pressure (2.21%) and a small increase in air velocity (1.5%). The findings demonstrate that strategic design modifications can enhance both operator comfort and engine efficiency. This study highlights the potential of CFD simulations as a powerful tool for optimizing agricultural vehicle thermal management.