• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.29 no.5 s.106
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• pp.419-424
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• 2004

In this study, a series of soil bin experiment was carried out to investigate experimentally the effect of the tire inflation pressure and axle load of tire on the steering torque for the off-road condition. The experiment was performed at the three levels of off-road conditions(ground I, ground II and ground III) and on-road condition(ground IV), four levels of tire inflation pressure(120 kPa, 170 kPa, 220 kPa and 270 kPa), and four levels of axle load(1470N, 1960N, 2450N and 2940N). The results of this study are summarized as follows: 1. Steering torque at the off-road conditions were higher than that on the on-road conditions for all levels of tire inflation pressure and axle load. 2. As the axle load increased, steering torque also increased f3r all experimental ground conditions. 3. For the axle load of 1470N the biggest steering torque was measured on the ground condition I, but as the axle load increased to the value of 2940N the biggest steering torque was measured on the ground condition III. From the above results, it was found that for the low axle load, steering torque gets higher on the soft ground condition, but for the high axle load, steering torque gets higher on hard ground condition for whole range of experimental conditions. 4. As the tire inflation pressure decreased, steering torque increased on the on-road condition, but no specific trend was not found at the off-road conditions.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.231-238
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• 2010

The purpose of this paper was to investigate experimentally the steering torque characteristics of a tractor operated in various ground conditions. The experiments were conducted with the tractor reconstructed for steering torque test of the tractor at two different off-road conditions (ground-I and ground-II) and a on-road condition (ground-III), three different levels of tire inflation pressures (69 kPa, 138 kPa and 207 kPa), and four different levels of axle loads (4120 N, 4730 N, 5340 N and 5950 N). The results of this study are summarized as follows: 1) The steering torque was increased with the increase in steering angle for all experimental levels of ground conditions, axle loads and inflation pressures of tire. 2) As the axle load increased, the steering torque of the tractor increased for all ground conditions, and the increasing rate of the steering torque with the increase of axle load was greater at on-road than at off-road. 3) As the tire inflation pressure decreased, the steering torque increased. Also the increasing tendency of the steering torque with decreasing the tire inflation pressure showed that the harder the ground was, the larger the effect was. But for the soft ground condition, ground-I, no specific trend with inflation pressures was found. 4) Steering angle-steering torque relationship with ground conditions showed that the increasing rate of the steering torque was greater at on-road than off-road for small steering angle under 10 degree, and was greater at off-road than on-road for large steering angles over 10 degree.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.315-329
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• 2024

This study was conducted for simulation model development of an electric all-wheel-drive vehicle to adapt the agricultural machinery. Data measurement system was installed on a four-wheel electric driven vehicle using proximity sensor, torque-meter, global positioning system (GPS) and data acquisition (DAQ) device. Axle torque and rotational speed were measured using a torque-meter and a proximity sensor. Driving test was performed on an upland field at a speed of 7 km·h^-1. Simulation model was developed using a multi-body dynamics software, and tire properties were measured and calculated to reflect the similar road conditions. Measured and simulated data were compared to validate the developed simulation model performance, and axle rotational speed was selected as simulation input data and axle torque and power were selected as simulation output data. As a result of driving performance, an average axle rotational speed was 115 rpm for each wheel. Average axle torque and power were 4.50, 4.21, 4.04, and 3.22 Nm and 53.42, 50.56, 47.34, and 38.07 W on front left, front right, rear left, and rear right wheel, respectively. As a result of simulation driving, average axle torque and power were 4.51, 3.9, 4.16, and 3.32 Nm and 55.79, 48.11, 51.62, and 41.2 W on front left, front right, rear left, and rear right wheel, respectively. Absolute error of axle torque was calculated as 0.22, 7.36, 2.97, and 3.11% on front left, front right, rear left, rear right wheel, respectively, and absolute error of axle power was calculated as 4.44, 4.85, 9.04, and 8.22% on front left, front right, rear left, and rear right wheel, respectively. As a result of absolute error, it was shown that developed simulation model can be used for driving performance prediction of electric driven vehicle. Only straight driving was considered in this study, and various road and driving conditions would be considered in future study.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.459-463
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• 2008

Induction hardening has been used to improve torsional strength and characteristics of wear for axle shaft which is a part of automobile to transmit driving torque from differential to wheel. After rapidly heating and cooling process of induction hardening, the shaft has residual stress and material properties change which affect allowable transmit torque. The objective of this study is to predict the distribution of residual stress and estimate the torsional strength of induction hardened axle shafts which has been residual stress using finite element analysis considered thermo mechanical behavior of material and experiments. Results indicate that the torsional strength of axle shaft depends on the surface hardening depth and distribution of residual stress.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.773-784
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• 2023

In this study, we developed a dynamic model and steering controller model for an autonomous tractor and evaluated their performance. The traction force was measured using a 6-component load cell, and the rotational speed of the wheels was monitored using proximity sensors installed on the axles. Torque sensors were employed to measure the axle torque. The PI (proportional integral) controller's coefficients were determined using the trial-error method. The coefficient of the P varied in the range of 0.1 - 0.5 and the I coefficient was determined in 3 increments of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1. To validate the simulation model, we conducted RMS (root mean square) comparisons between the measured data of axle torque and the simulation results. The performance of the steering controller model was evaluated by analyzing the damping ratio calculated with the first and second overshoots. The average front and rear axle torque ranged from 3.29 - 3.44 and 6.98 - 7.41 kNm, respectively. The average rotational speed of the wheel ranged from 29.21 - 30.55 rpm at the front, and from 21.46 - 21.63 rpm at the rear. The steering controller model exhibited the most stable control performance when the coefficients of P and I were set at 0.5 and 0.01, respectively. The RMS analysis of the axle torque results indicated that the left and right wheel errors were approximately 1.52% and 2.61% (at front) and 7.45% and 7.28% (at rear), respectively.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.479-490
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• 2002

A dynamic model of a power shuttle transmission was developed and its validity was verified using the experimental data obtained from a transmission test bench. A 40㎾, 4WD tractor was also modeled using an application software EASY5 to investigate parameters and their effects on the power shifting performance. For a tractor model, the manual reverse gear was replaced by a power shuttle transmission. The tractor model also included an engine, main-gears for transmission, wheels, differentials and planet gears. Using the tractor model, the effects of the parameters such as modulating pressure and time, engine speed, tractor speed. tractor weight. reverse to forward speed ratio and torsional damper on the transient characteristics at starting and shuttle shifting were investigated by the computer simulation. The transient characteristics were represented by variations in clutch pressure, torque transmitted to input shaft and driving wheels, and power transmission capacity of the clutch. It was found that the modulating pressure and time affected most significantly the torque transmission and shifting time. The input torque, axle torque, power transmission capacity of the clutch and transmission time all increased with increase in engine speed, tractor speed. tractor weight and ratio of reverse to forward speeds. However, the axle torque decreased with tractor speed. Both the axle torque and power transmission capacity of the clutch also decreased with the ratio of reverse to forward speeds.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2018

Purpose: The development of compact tractors that can be used in dry fields, greenhouses, and orchards for pest control, weeding, transportation, and harvesting is necessary. The development and performance evaluation of power transmission units are very important when it comes to tractor development. This study evaluates the performance of a driving power transmission unit of a 50 kW multi-purpose narrow tractor. Methods: The performance of the transmission and forward-reverse clutch, which are the main components of the driving power transmission unit of multi-purpose narrow tractors, was evaluated herein. The transmission performance was evaluated in terms of power transmission efficiency, noise, and axle load, while the forward-reverse clutch performance was evaluated in terms of durability. The transmission's power transmission efficiency accounts for the measurement of transmission losses, which occur in the transmission's gear, bearing, and oil seal. The motor's power was input in the transmission's input shaft. The rotational speed and torque were measured in the final output shaft. The noise was measured at each speed level after installing a microphone on the left, right, and upper sides. The axle load test was performed through a continuous equilibrium load test, in which a constant load was continuously applied. The forward-reverse clutch performance was calculated using the engine torque to axle torque ratio with the assembled engine and transmission. Results: The loss of power in the transmission efficiency test of the driving power unit was 6.0-9.7 kW based on all gear steps. This loss of horsepower was equal to 11-18% of the input power (52 kW). The transmission efficiency of the driving power unit was 81.5-89.0%. The noise of the driving power unit was 50-57 dB at 800 rpm, 70-77 dB at 1600 rpm, and 76-83 dB at 2400 rpm. The axle load test verified that the input torque and axle revolutions were constant. The results of the forward-reverse clutch performance test revealed that hydraulic pressure and torque changes were stably maintained when moving forward or backward, and its operation met the hydraulic design standards. Conclusions: When comprehensively examined, these research results were similar to the main driving power transmission systems from USA and Japan in terms of performance. Based on these results, tractor prototypes are expected to be created and supplied to farmhouses after going through sufficient in-situ adaptability tests.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery Conference
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• 2000.11c
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• pp.819-826
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• 2000

This study was performed to develop a measurement system of tractor field performance for plow and rotary operations. Measurement system for tractor consisted of torque sensors to measure torque of drive axles and PTO axle, speed sensors to measure rotational speed of drive axles and engine, microcomputer to control data logger, and data logger as I/O interface system. The measurement system was installed on four-wheel-drive tractor. Four-element full-bridge type strain gages were used for torque measurement of drive axles and optical encoders were used to measure speeds of drive axles and engine. Slip rings were mounted on the rotational axles. Signals from sensors were inputted to data logger that was controlled by microcomputer with parallel communication. Sensors were calibrated before the field tests. Regression equations were found on completion of the calibrations. The field experiment was performed at paddy fields and uplands. Rotary and plow were used when the tractor was operated in the field. Travelling speeds of the tractor were 1.9 km/h, 2.7 km/h, 3.7 km/h, 5.5 km/h, 8.2 km/h, and 11.8 km/h. Operating depths of implements were maintained approximately 20cm during the tests. Torque data of drive axles were different at each location during plow and rotary operations. Results showed that torque of rear axles were greater than those of front axles. Total torque were 6860 - 11064 Nm at the upland and 7360 - 14190 Nm at the paddy field for plow operations. It was found that torque at the paddy field were about 20% greater than those at the upland for plow operations. Torque data showed that rotary operations required less power than plow operation at the paddy field and the upland. Torque measurements at each axle for rotary operations were only 8 - 16% of plow operations in the upland and 15 - 20% in the paddy field.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.163-170
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• 2011

Analysis of load on major parts of the tractor power drive line is critical for efficient and optimum design of a tractor. The purpose of this study was to evaluate severeness of the tractor PTO driving axle during rotary tillage operation. First, S-N (stress vs. number of cycle) curve of a PTO driving gear was obtained through the fatigue life test using a PTO dynamometer. Second, PTO severeness was evaluated during rotary tillage operation. Torque measurement system was constructed with strain-gauge sensors to measure torque of a PTO axle, an I/O interface to acquire the sensor signals, and an embedded system to calculate severeness. The severeness of PTO was analyzed using measured torque data during rotary tillage. In the PTO gear life fatigue test, breakage time and bending stress of the gear were measured by tooth widths and torque change during the fatigue life test. The S-N curve showed a good linear relationship between bending stress and number of cycle (life) with a coefficient of determination of 0.97. For PTO severenss evaluation, rotary tillage operations were conducted at two PTO rotational speeds (level-1, level-2) under different paddy and upland field sites with different soil conditions. Results of averaged relative severeness for PTO level-1 and PTO level-2 were 1.96 and 3.34, respectively, at paddy field sites, and they were 1.36 and 2.51, respectively, at upland field sites. The results showed that the PTO driving axle experienced more severe load during rotary tillage at paddy fields than at upland sites, and relative severeness was greater at the higher PTO rotational speed under all of the soil conditions.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.645-649
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• 2010

Induction hardening has been used to improve the torsional strength and characteristics of wear for axle shaft that is used to transmit driving torque from the differential to the wheel in automobiles. After the rapid heating and cooling processes of induction hardening are carried out, the shaft has residual stress and material properties change; this affects the allowable transmitted torque. The objective of this study is to predict the distribution of residual stress and estimate the torsional strength of induction-hardened axle shafts with residual stress. In this study, the finite element method is used to study the thermomechanical behavior of the material, and the results are compared with experimental results. The results indicate that the torsional strength of the axle shaft depends on the surface hardening depth and distribution of residual stress.