The Influence of Non-metallic Dozer Track Elements on Their Work on Quasi Rigid and Deformable Ground

摘要

This paper contains a short and concise description of non-metallic track elements applying as a part of linked track belts. Selected theoretical attempts of establishing the intensity of influence of track belt shoe grouser's parameters for values of tractor-type machine's thrust were mentioned. The author took into account the most recent ideas (Bekker, Wong, Skotnikov, etc.) and proposed also his own way, probably more complex and universal. The main goal of the investigation was establishing of rate of flat TPU-covered shoe's thrust diminishing in comparison with standard shoe's thrust force as well as analysing of thrust coefficient value for different set of shoes with varied grousers. The brand new shape of grouser was presented and after tests recommended. The basic idea of the first new shoe concept was enlarging of grouser's width (more than three times) when all inclination angles remained the same (shoe with grouser named "fatty"). Every contact surface of new grouser was coated with PU 5 mm thick mat. Another type of investigated shoe was named "pillow" because of its shape. It was covered with TPU as well. Its shape is quite similar to factory mounted rubber or plastic pads. The results of laboratory experiments of DRESSTA dozer track shoes' set equipped with non-metallic (made of hard polyurethane) elements were presented. Experiments were made in a special soil bin described in the author's previous ISTVS conference papers (Vicksburg) on two types of ground: quasi rigid (wooden surface) and deformable (cohesion soil). The additional experiments connected with soil adhered to the surface of the shoes covered by TPU layers were made as well.