Evaluation Analysis of the Running System Soil Interaction of Wheeled Agricultural Tractors

Abstract

The article provides an evaluative analysis of the wheeled agricultural tractor’s running systems soil interaction. A sample of more than 600 MFWD tractors of the world's leading manufacturers was subject to analysis. To determine the parameters of the maximum soil pressure, the value of the footprint gross flat plate area is applied, assuming that the tires are operated under conditions characterized by the speed index A6 with a significant torque for a long time. It is obtained the calculated function of the probability distribution of the maximum pressure on the soil of a sample of modern wheeled tractors with a fixed location of the centre of gravity (weight distribution). The designed arrangement of the centre of gravity of tractors by groups with the corresponding rolling circumference indexes difference ΔRCI =4...9 was analysed. It was established that for general and universal purpose tractors with ΔRCI = 4...6 the most common weight distribution coefficient is 0.40 or 0.44. For special (utility) tractors with ΔRCI = 7...9, the most common weight distribution coefficient is 0.45...0.46. An analysis of the maximum soil pressure in a wide range of the traction force of the tractor while maintaining a constant optimal weight distribution, which depends on the ratio of the footprint gross flat plate area of the front and rear tires, was carried out. The analysis showed that maintaining a constant optimal weight distribution during traction operations makes it possible to reduce the maximum pressure on the soil by 8...40 kPa. This makes it possible to increase the part of the territory of Ukraine, where modern wheeled tractors with single tires can be operated without violating agro-ecological requirements, by 14%.