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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #237107
Title: Factors that influence tractive performance of wheels, tracks, and vehicles

Author
item WULFSOHN, DVORALAI - UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN
item Way, Thomas - Tom

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/5/2009
Publication Date: 6/5/2009
Citation: Wulfsohn, D., Way, T.R. 2009. Factors that influence tractive performance of wheels, tracks, and vehicles. In: Upadhyaya, S.K., Chancellor, W.J., Perumpral, J.V., Wulfsohn, D. and Way, T.R., editors. Advances in Soil Dynamics, Vol. 3 ASABE, St. Joesph, Michigan. Ch. 2. Part VIII. 3(2):209-252.

Interpretive Summary: Traction of agricultural vehicles and other off-road vehicles is important in allowing these vehicles to perform their desired tasks. This book chapter presents information about various factors that affect traction of off-road vehicles. Information is presented for tires and rubber tracks, and includes effects of the soil type and soil condition, the air pressure in the tires, and the weight supported by the tires or tracks. Cage wheels are non-pneumatic wheels used for propelling agricultural vehicles or as traction aids. They are used on vehicles operating in paddy fields and swampy peat soils. The chapter discusses factors affecting the tractive performance of cage wheels. The chapter is expected to be useful in improving the tractive performance of agricultural and other off-road vehicles.

Technical Abstract: Traction of agricultural vehicles and other off-road vehicles is important in allowing these vehicles to perform their desired tasks. This book chapter describes factors affecting the off-road tractive performance of tires and rubber tracks. Tractive performance is affected by soil type, soil condition, and vegetation on the soil surface, and these effects are presented. Factors including tire inflation pressure, vertical loads supported by tires, and sizes of tires and rubber tracks are discussed. Comparisons include dual tires vs. single tires on the rear axle of a mechanical front-wheel drive tractor. Effects of the design and operating characteristics of cage wheels are presented. Effects of factors on tractive efficiency and power delivery efficiency are discussed, and these are important variables because they strongly influence fuel efficiency. Information in this chapter is expected to be useful in the design of tires and tracks for off-road vehicles, in the operation of these vehicles, and in analysis of traction characteristics of these vehicles.