Performance of Cage Wheel with Opposing Circumferential Lugs and Normal Cage Wheel in Wet Clay Soil

摘要

In Southeast Asia, rice is usually grown under flooded or wet field conditions. In these wet clay soils, traction and floatation of vehicles used for cultivation is a major problem. Cage wheels have proven to be one of the best traction aids during wet land cultivation. Recent study revealed that opposing circumferential lugs on a cage wheel may perform well in these soils. The main objective of this study was to investigate the performance of cage wheels with opposing circumferential lugs. The specific objectives included the study of the effect of two types of lug arrangement (straight and staggered), the study of the effect of free sinkage along with a compares on of the performance of cage wheel, with opposing circumferential lugs, with normal cage wheel with straight lugs. The study revealed that the cage wheel with opposing circumferential lugs performed well compared to the cage wheel with normal lugs. It could provide higher floatation and traction, and reduced wheel sinkage.