In the kind of system analysed in this work the possibility for energy saving lays on the fact that dissipative distributors are used to manage flows and maintain control of multiple loads. The alternative architecture here studied and compared with the traditional one uses independent metering valves (I.M. valves) instead of single spool distributors. The I.M. valves are electronically controlled by an E.C.U. which can adopt different control strategies. The variable displacement pump can be controlled with a traditional flow compensator or with a dedicated E.C.U. From the perspective of energy analysis this architecture offers potential energy savings compared with a traditional single spool valve architecture. However, this must be verified for a real tractor operation because the amount of energy saved strongly depends on the kind of duty cycle involved in the analysis, the required performance and the expected level of reliability. It is noted that the remote valves circuit can serve a wide range of actuators, depending on the equipment connected to the tractor at any given time, for example a seeder, or a loader or a harrow. The actuators can be either single or double effect cylinder and motors. Standardized duty cycles for this kind of circuit do not currently exist, hence more careful analysis must be dedicated to the experimental measurement of the main hydraulic variables during a tractor work cycle using different equipment. For this purpose, a duty cycle for remote utilities is applied, obtained from experimental measurements on a tractor equipped with a front loader. The adopted duty cycle involves two pairs of linear actuators working together with different loads and requiring different flows. The traditional and alternative architectures are modelled using a lumped parameter approach with particular detail dedicated to the modelling of traditional and independent metering valves, to the variable displacement pump and finally to the definition of the control strategies. A comparison of efficiency of the systems is then made with reference to the front loader duty cycle