Data acquisition is one of the main problems that engineers and researchers face while testing agricultural machines, due to the high complexity of these machines. To analyze the performance of a machine, several variables need to be measured. The objective of this study was to develop an automatic data acquisition computer program for use in agricultural machine evaluation tests. The system was implemented using the LabVIEW software version 6i. Virtual instruments (VI) were developed for measuring data from the following sensors: load cell, torquimeter, rotational velocity meter and radar gun. The automatic data acquisition system developed showed, during the tests, capacity to present high precision results. It was found to be robust and versatile and has capacity to be combined in order to be used in different kinds of researches and conditions.
automation; LabVIEW; mechanization; sensor
