SELECTION OF DESIGN PARAMETERS OF TRACK SYSTEMS WITH RIGID LINKS USING AN ADVANCED COMPUTER SIMULATION MODEL

摘要

This paper describes the applications of a computer simulation model known as RTVPM to the selection of the basic design parameters of track systems with rigid links, commonly in use in industrial and agricultural vehicles. It is found that the ratio of roadwheel spacing to track pitch is a significant parameter that affects the tractive performance, particularly on soft terrain. For a given track system configuration and roadwheel spacing, it is important to select an appropriate track pitch to ensure good tractive performance on the one hand and minimal vehicle speed fluctuation on the other. It is also shown that the initial track tension has a considerable effect on tractive performance when the ratio of roadwheel spacing to track pitch is high and that its effect decreases with the decrease of the roadwheel spacing to track pitch ratio.