TRACTIVE PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS BETWEEN A RUBBER BELT TRACK AND A FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE TRACTOR

Abstract

ABSTRACT Field tests were conducted to evaluate and compare the tractive performance of a rubber belt track tractor and a four-wheel drive tractor. Data were obtained by drawbar tests on each tractor operating on four ground surface conditions: untilled oats stubble, disked oats stubble, plowed oats stubble, and com stubble. Tractive performance comparisons between the two test tractors were made by comparing the relationships of dynamic traction ratio and tractive efficiency to slip. In general, the rubber belt track tractor exhibited small tractive performance advantages over the four-wheel drive tractor on firm surfaces with more significant advantages on soft surface conditions.