Abstract
KEYWORDS:
tractor, hydrodynamic torque converter, performance characteristics
ABSTRACT:
The paper enhances the method used in order to obtain the characteristic of the engine-hydrodynamic torque converter system common operation and the system output characteristic. By undertaking these characteristics there is elaborated an algorithm to analytically determine the traction characteristic that emphasises the tractors economical and traction performances (slipping, traction power, velocity, hourly and specific fuel consumption according to the traction force). There are presented the specific results for a crawler tractor with bulldozer blade and scarifier that has a Diesel engine of 158 kW and a 15? hydrodynamic torque converter. The paper is useful for the design of tractors with hydrodynamic torque converter and also for the design of engine-hydrodynamic torque converter systems. The calculation algorithm elaborated may be used for other types of tractors as well. The case submitted to analysis leads to the conclusion that the tractor with hydrodynamic torque converter, despite the lower efficiency as compared to the tractor with mechanical torque converter, has a traction characteristic close to the ideal one.