An instrumented drive axle to measure tire tractive performance

An instrumented drive axle is introduced for a prototype tractor using in field research on tractor and implement performance. This mechanism was developed to determine whether such an instrumented drive axle is practical. The drive axle was equipped with a set of transducers to measure wheel angular velocity, rear axle torque and dynamic weight, as well as tire side forces. Measuring the drawbar pull acting on the tractor provides data for calculating net traction, motion resistance and chassis resistance for each driven wheel.

► A developed instrumented drive axle for a model tractor is usable in field research.
► The produced mechanism determined such an instrumented drive axle is practical.
► All tire forces, their application points and tire input torque are obtainable.
► This mechanism provides data for calculation of tractive performance.