Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Traktor roda dua dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai sarana transportasi hasil pertanian menggunakan trailer pengangkut. Namun, trailer konvensional memiliki keterbatasan pada lahan miring ekstrem. Seiring meningkatnya pemanfaatan lahan perkebunan kelapa sawit pada lahan berkontur, permasalahan pengangkutan Tandan Buah Segar (TBS) semakin kompleks. Oleh karena itu, dikembangkan trailer tipe pivot dengan sistem penggandengan fleksibel untuk meningkatkan stabilitas dan kemampuan manuver. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kinerja trailer tipe pivot pada pengangkutan TBS di lahan miring ekstrem serta menganalisis pengaruh variasi sudut sirip roda terhadap kinerja alat.
Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah analisis deskriptif kuantitatif melalui pengujian langsung di lapangan. Penelitian diawali dengan observasi dan pengambilan data awal meliputi kondisi lahan, lintasan, dan karakteristik TBS. Selanjutnya dilakukan modifikasi trailer tipe pivot berupa penambahan sistem pengunci pivot, pengontrol roda bantu, serta penggunaan roda tipe reversible dengan variasi sudut sirip. Pengujian dilakukan pada tiga tingkat kemiringan lahan (25°–40°) dan lima variasi sudut sirip roda (45°, 30°, 15°, 0°, dan -15°). Parameter yang diamati meliputi kapasitas kerja, waktu tempuh, konsumsi bahan bakar, dan kestabilan alat menggunakan traktor roda dua dengan beban TBS konstan.
Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa trailer tipe pivot mampu berfungsi dengan baik dan lebih stabil dibandingkan trailer konvensional pada lahan miring. Kapasitas kerja tertinggi diperoleh pada lahan landai dan menurun seiring meningkatnya kemiringan akibat bertambahnya hambatan gerak. Variasi sudut sirip roda berpengaruh terhadap kinerja alat, di mana sudut 30° dan 45° cenderung memberikan hasil yang lebih optimal dalam meningkatkan traksi dan kestabilan. Selain itu, keterampilan operator turut mempengaruhi kinerja alat, terutama dalam menjaga kecepatan dan engendalian pada medan sulit. Secara umum, trailer tipe pivot lebih efektif digunakan pada lahan miring ekstrem karena memiliki kemampuan manuver yang lebih baik, radius putar lebih kecil, serta tingkat keamanan dan kenyamanan operator yang lebih tinggi, sehingga berpotensi meningkatkan efisiensi kerja dan produktivitas pengangkutan TBS kelapa sawit.

Two-wheel tractors can be utilized as a means of transporting agricultural products by using transport trailers. However, conventional trailers have limitations when operating on extremely sloping land. As the utilization of oil palm plantations on hilly terrain continues to increase, the transportation of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) has become more challenging. Therefore, a pivot-type trailer with a flexible hitching system was developed to improve stability and maneuverability. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a pivot-type trailer in transporting oil palm Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) on extremely sloping land and to analyze the effect of reversible wheel fin angle variations on the trailer's performance. This study employed a quantitative descriptive approach through direct field testing. The research began with preliminary observations and data collection, including land conditions, travel paths, and FFB characteristics. The pivot-type trailer was then modified by adding a pivot locking mechanism, an auxiliary wheel control system, and reversible wheels with different fin angle variations. Performance tests were conducted on three land slope categories, namely gentle (25°–30°), moderate (31°–35°), and extreme (36°–40°), using five reversible wheel fin angles (45°, 30°, 15°, 0°, and –15°). The observed parameters included field capacity, travel time, fuel consumption, and trailer stability while transporting a constant FFB load using a two-wheel tractor. The results showed that the pivot-type trailer operated effectively and provided better stability than a conventional trailer on sloping land. The highest field capacity was achieved on gentle slopes and gradually decreased as the slope increased due to greater motion resistance. Variations in the reversible wheel fin angle affected trailer performance, with the 30° and 45° fin angles providing better traction and stability. In addition, operator skill significantly influenced trailer performance, particularly in maintaining travel speed and controlling the tractor on difficult terrain. Overall, the pivot-type trailer proved to be more effective for transporting oil palm FFB on extremely sloping land because of its superior maneuverability, smaller turning radius, and improved operator safety and comfort. Consequently, the trailer has the potential to enhance transportation efficiency and overall productivity in oil palm plantations.