BELTS VS TIRES, BELTS VS BELTS, TIRES VS TIRES

Abstract

Tractive performance comparisons among two different width rubber belt tracks, 46 cm (18 in.) and 81 cm(32 in.) wide, and two different size rear tires, 710/70R38 and 18.4R46, were made on two different surface conditions.The belts were tested on a Caterpillar 55 tractor equipped with the Mobil-trac system and the tires on a John Deere8400 mechanical front-wheel-drive (MFWD) tractor. The performance tests were completed on two surfaces, one being anon-tilled wheat stubble field and the second, the wheat stubble field tilled approximately 23 cm (9 in.) deep with a Nobleblade sweep. Performance comparisons using tractive efficiency, dynamic traction ratio, and slip were made. Results ofthese performance comparisons between the belts and tires indicate that, in general, the belts performed better. Theperformance differences between the two belt widths were less defined. The performance differences between the two tiressuggests that the narrower tire had a slight traction advantage.