Design and Analysis of a Low Speed Drag Plow for Use in Deep Snow

摘要

Winter logistical operations employing wheeled vehicles are severely restrictedbecause of traction losses in deep snow. To enable the use of wheeled vehicles for off-road winter deployment, an independent drag-plow was developed to be attached to the pintel mount of the U.S. Army's small unit support vehicle (SUSV). Small-scale testing revealed significant stability problems with a towed wedge-shaped plow model. Geometric modifications to the plow design and a 4-bar parallel motion towing linkage were developed to stabilize plow roll and pitch, respectively. A welded aluminum half-width model incorporating these modifications was successfully tested at Keweenaw Research Center in northern Michigan in January 1991. Parameters measured during testing included pitch and roll angles, drawbar forces, speed, plowed path geometry, and snow characteristics. These parameters were used to determine the feasibility of a full-scale model capable of plowing a 2.45-m path in 1-m-deep low density snow, leaving 15 cm of snow as ground cover. The model performed well in medium density snow, with drawbar forces in the 5.6-kN range. Plow penetration was limited by a geometric constraint of the 4-bar linkage, with 15 deg the approximate maximum link angle from horizontal. Pitch and roll stability in off-road applications was excellent, with the plow demonstrating an ability to right itself and dig in after encountering obstacles. Successful half-width tests have proven the concept of utilizing a SUSV-towed V-plow for clearing access roads in deep snow for off-road winter operations. Data extrapolation of half-width tests demonstrates that a full-scale plow is feasible.... Cold regions engineering, Snowplows, Off-road mobility.