Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the bump crossing and loading stability of a proto-type mini-forwarder under development. The evaluation was performed by computer simulation using a multi-body dynamic analysis program, Recur- Dyn 5.21. The proto-type was modeled and its properties such as mass, mass center, and mass moment of inertia were determined using 3D CAD modeler, Solid Edge 8.0. The $\%$ errors of masses, mass center, mass moment of inertia, and vertical motion of the model were within less than $10\%$ and the model's behavior agreed relatively well with those of the proto-type when traversing over a rectangular bump. Using the validated model, bump crossing of the proto-type was simulated and the loading limit was determined. It was found that effects of the shapes of bump on the bump crossing performance was insignificant within the practical heights of bumps. Stability of bump crossing increased with loading. However, loading of longer logs than 2.7 m made the crossing unstable because the ends of logs contacted ground when traversing over the bump. The maximum loading capacity of the proto-type was estimated to be 7.8 kN of 2.7 m long logs.
