Simulation Modelling of Agricultural Tractor Performance and Mobility

Computer simulation modelling techniques are basic engineering tools to investigate and predict the performance and mobility of agricultural tractors. Analytical methodologies developed by researchers to simulate and evaluate the terrain-operator-agricultural vehicle system and its subsystems are described. The techniques are classified as models and methods describing the subsystem interactions and relationships and the overall tractor-soil-implement system. The subsystem models and methods include: soil mechanics) the soil-wheel interactions, the soil-track interactions, the vehicle mechanics relationships, the soil-implement interactions, and the power train and hitching relationships. These models and methods were developed by various researchers as a means to optimize the tractive performance of the tractor by parameter sensitivity analyses.