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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #138283
Title: IMPACT OF A CENTRAL TIRE INFLATION SYSTEM ON RIDE QUALITY OF AGRICULTURAL VEHICLES

Author
item ADAMS, B - UNIV OF MO
item REID, J - JOHN DEERE TECHN. CENTER
item Hummel, John
item ZHANG, Q - UNIV OF IL
item HOEFT, R - UNIV OF IL

Submitted to: American Society of Agricultural Engineers Meetings Papers
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/23/2002
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Tire inflation pressure is a major factor in the stress experienced by operators of agricultural tractors during field operations. Tire inflation pressure must be set for the maximum speed, typically encountered during transport, to avoid damage to the tire from excessive heat buildup. A central tire inflation system (CTIS) can rapidly lower tire inflation pressure in preparation for field operations, and then quickly increase pressure again to reduce tire damage during high-speed transport. Tests were conducted on a test course to evaluate the effect reduced tire inflation pressure (available through the use of CTIS) on ride quality. As compared to properly inflated tires (based on typical transport speeds), the decrease in tire inflation pressure achieved by using CTIS showed an average ride quality improvement of 99%. When the harmonics from the tracks were forcing the vibration at the natural frequency of the tractor with the lowered tire inflation pressures, the ride quality improvement averaged only 21%. Equipping agricultural vehicles with CTIS would improve the health and alertness of the operators and extend the amount of time that they could effectively and safely operate the vehicle.

Technical Abstract: A central tire inflation system (CTIS) and instrumentation to measure performance were installed on a tractor and used to evaluate ride quality on several hard surfaced test courses that were constructed based on composite field data. The results showed an average of 99% improvement in ride as compared to properly inflated tires (inflation pressure based on typical transport speeds) as measured with the ISO2631 standard. When the resonant frequency of the tractor did not coincide with the harmonic frequency of the track, the average ride improved by 177%.