Drawbar pull and its effect on the weight distribution of a tractor

Abstract

This article aims to experimentally determine how the tractor's weight distribution changes during loading by drawbar pull, and how the tractor's weight affects its drawbar pull properties. Drive wheel ballasting has a significant effect on the drawbar pull and wheel slip of the tractor - travelling gear losses. To achieve these objectives, we conducted experimental measurements on the tractor Case IH Magnum 370 CVX. The results show that higher drawbar pull is achieved in tractors with a higher weight. The measured increase of drawbar pull was 15,8 kN between maximal and minimal weight (Δ 2320 kg). All variants show an equal percentage increase in the weight on the rear axle of the tractor (+ 6 %). Increasing the tractor's weight affected the drawbar pull as well as the wheel slip. As the tractor's weight increases, there is a smaller increase in wheel slip as the drawbar pull increases. The results confirmed that tractor ballasting is important in order to achieve optimum drawbar pull properties, but it is necessary to keep in mind that the higher the weight of the machine or equipment, the larger the effect on the soil.