Chapter 2. Traction Mechanics. Part I. Basic Traction Mechanics

Abstract [First paragraph]: Tractive effort developed by off-road vehicles has been of interest to people engaged in agricultural, forestry, military, and mining operations. Most research conducted in off-road traction mechanics has focused on either agricultural or military equipment. From agricultural (and forestry) viewpoints the main emphasis has been on efficiently providing sufficient pull for tillage and transport equipment while reducing or minimizing the damage done to the soil and plants. The prime concern of military research has been the mobility of military vehicles, although more recently some emphasis has been made towards reducing environmental damage by military equipment. This review emphasizes agricultural and forestry applications, but other off-the-road uses, including construction equipment and military uses, are also considered. It builds on the pioneering work done by the USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory (NSDL), Waterways Experiments Station (WES), Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Command (TACOM), and the National Institute of Agricultural Engineering (NIAE).