Multibody Modeling of a New Wheel/Track Reconfigurable Locomotion System for a Small Farming Vehicle

Tracks and wheels are the most widely used running gear for locomotion of agricultural vehicles. The main difference between two systems is contact area with ground and, consequently, pressure distribution. Evaluating distribution on important because soil damage vehicle performance depend it. This analysis especially difficult tracked vehicles, owing to their complexity compared wheeled systems. In this paper, we describe a multibody model flexible track evaluate upon soft terrain. considered in study part reconfigurable system small farming vehicle, which can vary by switching from half-tracked vehicle. aim such minimize addition optimizing its performance. characterize varying characteristic parameters, as tension, position vehicle’s center gravity, weight itself, stiffness suspension system.