Traction and Flotation Characteristics of Earthmover Tires on Soft Soil

The problems due to the soft soil often found at job sites in Japan call for a tire superior in traction and flotation to be used on wheel-type earthmovers. We have developed several types of experimental tires by applying various theories about such influences on the characteristics of tires as configuration of the tire, internal structure, and design of the tread. Tests on such experimental tires have been conducted with a new machine for evaluating the traction and flotation of earthmover tires.

After careful experimentation and testing, we formulated a theory, which is a slight modification of Bekker's experimental formula, and this theory has been proved to be applicable to common practices in the field.