Strength analysis of mechanical transmission using equivalent torque of plow tillage of an 82 kW-class tractor

The power-train is the most important component of an agricultural tractor. In this study, the strength of the driving gear transmission of an 82 kW-class tractor was analyzed using equivalent torque during plow tillage. The load measurement system consisted of an engine revolution speed sensor, torque-meters, revolution speed sensors for four axles, and pressure sensors for two hydraulic pumps. The load data were measured during plow tillage for four speed stages: F2 (2.78 km/h), F5 (5.35 km/h), F7 (7.98 km/h), and F8 (9.75 km/h). Aspects of the gear-strength such as bending stress, contact stress, and safety factors were analyzed under two torque conditions: the equivalent torque at the highest plow load for the F8 speed stage and the maximum engine torque. The simulation results using KISSsoft showed that the maximum engine torque conditions had a lower safety factor than did the highest equivalent torque condition. The bending safety factors were > 1 at all gear stages, indicating that gear breakage did not occur under actual measured operating conditions, nor under the maximum torque conditions. However, the equivalent torque condition in the contact stress safety factor was > 1, and the maximum torque condition was < 1 at the first gear pair. The method of analysis using the equivalent torque showed lower stress and higher safety factor than did the method using maximum torque. Therefore, when designing a tractor by applying actual working torque, equivalent torque method would support more reliable product development.