INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENTIAL LOCKING ON TRACTOR WORK RATE .1. SIMULATIONOF A SINGLE AXLE VEHICLE

By means of a simulation model, an analysis is made of the influence o f differential locking and tyre deflection on the work rate of a tract or as a function of the load distribution on the left and right-hand w heels. In most cases, the highest travel speed and hence the maximum w ork rate is attained when the differential is locked. Only when tyre d eflection is extremely high, can an ideal differential achieve a highe r work rate. With a controlled differential, a more effective power di stribution than that of a locked differential is possible, only when t he tyres are non-rigid. Although a controlled differential can deliver a higher work rate, the improvement is too small to justify the devel opment of such a system.