Studies on aluminum-made chassis-type frame model of a tractor I: Comparative static strength analysis and mass reduction

In order to reduce tractor mass, an aluminum alloy was adopted for a tracto r frame model instead of steel. To investigate its strength characteristics , numerical approach using the finite element method (FEM) and the experime ntal trial frame with a scale factor of 1:2 were conducted. The FEM results showed that the aluminum frame in this specific model, which is 20% lighte r; is capable of providing higher strength than that of steel. In terms of stiffness, the aluminum model was 60% and 33% better compared with that of steel in lateral and torsional loading, respectively. Despite these data, h owever it exhibited 12% higher deflection for vertical loading. These FEM r esults encouraged practical potentiality for design improvement as far as t hese loading tests are concerned.