TRAFFIC PERFORMANCES OF A TRACTOR CARRYING UP AND DOWN ASPHALT PAVEMENT ROAD

To investigate a most suitable grouser shape to obtain a maximum optimum effective driving and braking force, the tractive and braking performances of a 40kN rubber tracked tractor carrying up and down the asphalt pavement road of various slope angles have been analysed. As a result, it is clarified that the most suitable shape of rubber grouser is equilateral trapezoid type of contact length 5cm and the effective tractive effort and the effective braking force decrease with the increment of slope angle, and the normal contact pressure tends to increase toward the rear part of track belt for larger slope angle at driving state and vice versa at braking state.