Research on Global Optimal Energy Management Strategy of Agricultural Hybrid Tractor Equipped with CVT
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This is an interesting manuscript. The manuscript details an energy management strategy for a hybrid tractor equipped with CVT based on dynamic programming. Through dynamic programming, reasonably adjust the CVT speed ratio, torque and speed of diesel engine and motor, so that diesel engine and motor have more high-efficiency points. In rotary tillage mode, fuel consumption is reduced by approximately 16% compared to the power following method. The results constitute an incremental improvement in hybrid tractor control strategies.
I have only some minor comments to the manuscript:
By reading the manuscript, I feel that there may be some misunderstanding in the text.
Such as :
Table 1 – Please check with the map.
Line 228 -Please check ‘according to Equations (1), (3), and (5)’ is right?
Line 337 - Please check 'the constraints of the Equation (29)' is right？
Line 339 - Equation (28) is the minimum value? Please check.
Figure 6 - Some spelling error, please check.
Author Response
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Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
We have carefully examined the article submitted for review, and the following issues emerged:
- the paper proposed for publication is the result of a scientific endeavour funded by a research grant, and in which an interesting and topical issue on modelling and optimising the use of plug-in hybrid tractors is addressed;
- articles published in scientific journals should not refer to policy documents of a country's strategy, therefore I propose the authors to delete the sentence in lines 34-37 on "he 'Action Plan for the Development of Agricultural Machinery Equipment (2016-2025)' requires the development of new energy for agricultural machinery as one of the main directions for the development of agricultural machinery products [7], which has firmly established the development direction of China's new energy tractors", as well as the bibliographic reference [7];
- the introduction should be supplemented with other results in this field obtained worldwide. For example, I recommend the authors to consult the following bibliographical references:
Mocera, F.; Somà, A. Analysis of a Parallel Hybrid Electric Tractor for Agricultural Applications Energies 2020, 13, 3055. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13123055
Rossi, C, Pontara D, Falcomer C, Bertoldi M and Mandrioli R, A Hybrid-Electric Driveline for Agricultural Tractors Based on an e-CVT Power-Split Transmission, Energies 2021, 14, 6912. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14216912;
In view of the findings, I consider the scientific work to be valuable and could be published after the above observations are resolved.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
The study analyzes the performances of a hybrid agricultural tractor by means of the development of an optimal energy management strategy based on dynamic programming. The manuscript is well organized and the contents fit well with the journal topics.
However, before considering it for publication, several improvements are needed.
First, the research motivations should be expanded in the introduction in order to better highlight the novelty of the study compared to the extant studies on similar issues.
In section 2, a subsection describing the research approach could help the reader to better deal with the following sections.
The discussion of results is poor: research findings, practical implications of the study, as well as research limitations should be augmented in order to make the study more scientifically sound.
In addition, some minor improvements concern the following issues:
In the text, there are numerous typos/mistakes: text proofreading is needed. Similarly, all the acronyms in the text should be explained the first time they are used even though they are well-known in the field (e.g. PTO).
The equations should respect international symbols (e.g. (×) instead of (•)).
In the title, abstract, and at the beginning of the main text it is better to use the word “agricultural” before “tractor”, to better specify the study context. Accordingly, in the keywords “agricultural hybrid tractor” should replace “hybrid tractor”.
In the text, there are numerous typos/mistakes: text proofreading is needed.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
The Authors have satisfactorily improved the quality of the manuscript. Hence, in this reviewer's opinion it can be considered for publication
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.docx
