Influence of Tire Contact Area on the Traction Performance of a 67-kW Agricultural Tractor in a Paddy Field

Highlights The tire contact area of a tractor was adjusted through a combination of four tires to improve the traction performance in a paddy field. Traction performance according to tire contact area was measured and evaluated through a traction load measurement system of the tractor. The increase in the tire contact area reduced the slip ratio of the tractor and led to high traction performance. The results of this study suggest the possibility of evaluating and improving the traction performance of a tractor by considering the tire contact area. Abstract. Agricultural tractors operate on soil, and power loss occurs due to the complex interaction between tractor tires and soil. There are various methods for minimizing the loss of power and driving the tractor efficiently, one of which is increasing the tire contact area (TCA). The aim of this study is to measure, evaluate, and optimize the traction performance of a tractor with different TCAs. A traction load measurement system of the tractor was developed to measure field data. Field experiments were conducted to measure the traction performance of the tractors on paddy fields. To improve the traction performance of the tractor, the TCA was increased through various tire combinations, and a total of four TCA conditions were used. The results showed that the slip ratio of the wheel decreased with increasing TCA, thereby reducing the power loss due to the soil and increasing the traction performance, including the traction force, traction power, tractive efficiency, and dynamic traction ratio. Therefore, it is possible to improve the performance of tractors in paddy fields through TCA adjustment, and this study can provide appropriate guidelines. Keywords: Agricultural tractor, Dynamic traction ratio, Tire contact area, Traction performance, Tractive efficiency.