Introducing loads onto the soil via pneumatic tyred equipment is the major cause of compaction of agricultural soils, which causes damage to the soil-water-air-plant system. The degree of soil compaction is largely influenced by the loads applied to the soil and resulting surface and subsurface pressure. Therefore, this study was conducted in order to determine an effective method to measure the pressure distribution under a selection of pneumatic agricultural tyres on a hard surface and in the soil profile. As a result of this, it has been possible to evaluate the influence of tyre inflation pressure, load, ply rating and tread pattern on the resulting pressure. Also, the carcass stiffness of the tyres studied was determined and alternative methods to predict the carcass stiffness were evaluated and an improved technique was developed. Cont/d.
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