Steady-State Behavior of Tractors on Roadside Slopes 640175

This study combines known facts and engineering principles with new field data to afford prediction of tractor behavior on roadside slopes from a mathematical model. The model was set up for steady-state behavior of a tractor, and it predicted the orientation as well as the stability of the vehicle on somewhat idealized grass slopes. New data were taken on actual roadside slopes, to determine tire creep. Various parameter values were used in a computer analysis to study the effects of tractor geometry, including drive and steer design possibilities. The model was studied for three different tractor and mower units, one of which was equipped with special tires. The results indicate changes for improvements in design as well as horizons for future study.