Tractor Stability Information Processing Information System

摘要

The study used an enhanced 1/8 scale model tractor to help verify a mathematicalmodel which had been proposed to assist in avoiding tractor overturns on farms. The mathematical model fed back information to be used in predicting tractor instability in time for the operator to make an adjustment. The enhanced model featured remote front end steering, pneumatic tires, and a live rear differential drive. The model was verified according to the three major components of gravity, centrifugal force, and ground roughness. Ground roughness of the simulated terrain was characterized by the roll roughness coefficient, or the C-values. C-values were derived for four different size bumps: 19.1 millimeters (mm), 25.4mm, 38.1mm, and 50.8mm. The mathematical model was verified by comparing observed model tractor stability results to the predicted values of the mathematical model. Overall findings indicated that the mathematical model is a conservative predictor of model tractor side overturns. Sensitivity and response of the equation to change in roll roughness was found to be similar to the values observed with the tractor model. The centrifugal force component could not be fully validated with the 1/8 scale model tractor.