Fuel Price

[skippydiesel]

42 minutes ago, coljones said:

Farm appliances on GPS levelled broad acres can achieve efficiencies as they can maintain long distances at optimum efficiencies but when you brake, slow down, turn corners and rev up through the gears you drop out of the efficient range of ICEs. Planes achieve efficiencies by adopting a low fuel rate in cruise at a constant altitude.

In my limited experience - 

Tractors and other powered farm equipment (header etc) have governed engines.

The operator sets the rpm depending on the work to be done.

For the most part the engine remains at or close to the set rpm (varying loads eg soil conditions may influence this).

In short there is not much, if any change in rpm, for corners, etc. 

Brakes are principally used as a turning aid - not for slowing. Slowing, if required, is achieved through engine braking and /or an implement reaming in work.

For the most part tractors do not go up & down through the gears (hydrostatic transmission may do this). The work gear is selected and remains (some tractors incorporate torque converters to allow for part ratio changes "on the fly").

Most tractors can move off, in every work gear ie gear changes are not usually done when moving.

 

You may wish to rethink your agricultural example😈

[turboplanner]

1 hour ago, coljones said:

Farm appliances on GPS levelled broad acres can achieve efficiencies as they can maintain long distances at optimum efficiencies but when you brake, slow down, turn corners and rev up through the gears you drop out of the efficient range of ICEs. Planes achieve efficiencies by adopting a low fuel rate in cruise at a constant altitude.

Depends on what you're doing when you sink the ploughs, harrows, cultivator in, its maximum torque demand all day. seeding its light governor all day, headers its primarily driving all the components.