This field-capacity calculator estimates effective acres per hour from tool width, travel speed, overlap, and plot area.
Biology
Acres Per Hour Calculator
Calculate effective field capacity from tool width, travel speed, overlap, and plot area.
Calculator
About this calculator
Formula notes
effective width = width x (1 - overlap / 100); capacity m2/h = effective width x speed x 3600; acres/h = m2/h / 4046.856; completion time = plot area / capacity.
Worked examples
- Example: a 3 m tool at 5 km/h with 10% overlap covers about 13,500 m2/h, about 3.34 acres/h.
- A 6 m tool at 10 km/h with 5% overlap covers 57,000 m2/h, about 14.08 acres/h.
How to use it
- Enter tool width, travel speed, and overlap percent.
- Enter the plot area to estimate completion time.
- Read effective width, capacity, and hours to complete.
Frequently asked questions
What does overlap mean?
Overlap is the percentage of width that overlaps between passes; it reduces effective width and field capacity.
Does this include turning or field shape?
No. It assumes straight passes at constant speed; turning time and irregular field shapes require separate adjustments.
Limits and interpretation
- The model assumes straight, constant-speed passes and ignores turning time, irregular field shapes, and operating pauses.
- Overlap and effective width are estimated from the entered percentage; actual field guidance systems may differ.