Design and development of tractor clutch using combined field and bench tests

Abstract

Tractors, the primary component of agricultural mechanization, are actively used for maintaining agricultural activities and carrying burdens on agricultural fields under challenging conditions. Tractors are not only required to possess a high tractive force at low operating speeds but also to produce the power necessary for operating the equipment attached to them when used for agricultural purposes. It is of great importance to determine the degree of force that powertrains, especially the clutch, of the tractors are exposed to on agricultural fields and to use the data obtained in this process concerning their guarantee periods. This study measured the motor rotation speed, clutch surface temperature, and frequency and force of pushing the clutch pedal of a tractor used under five different agricultural field conditions. Furthermore, torque and transfer of the dynamometer and power take-off (PTO) were measured. Based on the data obtained from field tests, the tractor clutch development and validation processes were revised. The prototype clutch was produced and tested by completing the required 1 million rotations safely under new boundary conditions within the guarantee period.