Field performance of an agricultural tractor fitted with rubber tracks on a low trafficable soil

Abstract

The introduction of rubber tracks on tractors has allowed more engine power per unit weight than with steel-tracked tractors, together with a reduction in soil compaction and higher on-road speeds. Recently, triangular rubber tracks able to be adapted on conventional wheeled tractors have been introduced. In this context, the goal of the paper is to evaluate the performance of a tractor with four triangular rubber tracks with respect to those of a wheeled tractor; the comparative tests consist of ploughing under on low trafficable and workable soil. The results obtained have shown a higher tractive efficiency, lower soil compaction and up to 20% lower specific fuel consumption for the fully tracked tractor. These results are in accordance with previous tests conducted with the triangular rubber tracks on highly trafficable soil, although in the present case, the dynamic traction ratio is markedly lower due to the low trafficable soil. The use of triangular rubber tracks is therefore justified on low trafficable soils and more in general on different soil conditions, since the soil is less compacted by such traction device.

OPERATIONAL AND ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF 250 kW DOUBLE WHEELED VERSUS RUBBER HALF-TRACKED TRACTORS IN THE SOYBEAN SOWING

“…It can be explained by the higher contact area of the half-track with the ground, presenting a tension distribution on the ground higher than that of the wheel (Arvidsson et al 2011), optimizing the wheel-ground interaction (Bürger & Böttinger 2018). This parameter provided a lower OS regardless of the selected gears, as observed by Molari et al (2015).…”

“…Therefore, this factor provided higher operational and energy efficiency, even requiring a high ES and 9.15% less HFC compared to the factor WHEEL. Molari et al (2015) also found lower fuel consumption in a harrowing operation when comparing wheeled and rubber tracked tractors.…”

“…The highest SLIP indices provide higher HFC and lower OS, directly interfering with the operational performance of the moto-mechanized set, as described by Molari et al (2015) and Lopes et al (2019). The variable SLIP showed no statistical difference regarding the tested gears.…”

“…The parameter DBP is the product between DBF and OS and because DBF showed no statistical difference, this variation can be explained by the higher operating speed by the half-tracked tractor (Molari et al, 2015), directly reflecting on the lower SFC, which represents how efficiently the used fuel is actually being turned into work. Thus, higher ETE was observed, with higher energy efficiency in the factor HALF-TRACK.…”

“…Currently, the use of rubber tracks in agriculture has gradually increased, unlike the iron tracks, promoting less compaction and higher traction performance (Molari et al, 2015), but with higher cost compared to the tire. One way to minimize the cost and maintain the highest operational performance is the use of track only on the part that promotes traction, as we can observe in the new concepts of combines and tractors that have been released in Brazil.…”