Discussions on the Slip-Sinkage of Trator Drive Wheel (VI)

On the statical equilibrium of forces and its experimental discussions

Abstract

In this paper, the theory based on the approximation that the contact pressure distribution area of the drive wheel consists of two zones, the compressing zone and the bulldozing one, was experimentally confirmed on the actual soil, using the soil bin testing facility.
The following items were discussed or estimated:
a. Relation between the pulling force and the slippage
b. Thrust force, pulling force, running resistance and their relations.
c. Forces acting on the driving wheel at running.
Theoretical approach was quite valid compared with the experimental results.
As the results of the experiments, the followings were found:
1) Some of the contact pressure distribution area diagrams obtained in the experiments showed two zones, especially at higher slippage more than 40%.
2) Relation between the thrust force and the pulling force was a linear. Thrust force was estimated by the equation developed in the measured values of the pulling force and the torque of the wheel axle.
3) Measured and estimated forces and other unknown factors showed quite reasonable results.
For further study, an efficient transformation of the thrust force produced at the wheel-soil interface should be considered, and the optimal shape and dimension of the running device must be found.