Citation

Muhaemin M, Koike M, Takigawa T, Yoda A. Trans. ASAE/ASABE 1999; 42(5): 1229-1238.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In order to reduce tractor mass, an aluminum alloy was adopted for a tractor frame model instead of steel. To investigate its strength characteristics, numerical approach using the finite element method (FEM) and the experimental 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% lighter, 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, however, it exhibited 12% higher deflection for vertical loading. These FEM results encouraged practical potentiality for design improvement as far as these loading tests are concerned. Safety issues are discussed.