A New Model to Predict the Slippage Coefficient of Tracked Vehicles During Steering

Tracked vehicles during steering are always subjected to track slippage relative to the ground. Studies show that an excessive slippage coefficient reduces the steering ability of tracked vehicles and increases the risk of soil shear failure. Accordingly, fast and accurate tests of the slippage coefficient of tracked vehicles under different ground conditions can be effectively referenced to select track parameters and reach optimal operation. Aiming to resolve shortcomings of the conventional testing method in determining the slippage coefficient of tracked vehicles, a novel method is proposed in the present study. Then the trajectory of an arbitrary point on the tracked vehicle during steering was analyzed. Moreover, the time of vehicles steering around and the speed of track sprocket were measured, and the slippage coefficient of tracked vehicles steering on the specific ground condition was determined. Meanwhile, the slippage coefficient of the tracked combined harvester steering under different ground conditions was explored using the conventional method. The obtained results were compared quantitatively, and the accuracy of the established model was verified. The performed analyses demonstrate that the proposed method has a simple structure and can be effectively applied to various complicated working conditions. This method is expected to lay a theoretical basis to establish an online testing system for the slippage coefficient of tracked vehicles during steering.