Dynamic behaviour of a tractor/quadaxle trailer with variable length drawbar Online publication date: Tue, 27-May-2014
by M. El-Gindy
International Journal of Vehicle Design (IJVD), Vol. 13, No. 2, 1992
Abstract: This paper describes the results of a study of the directional performance of a common Canadian log-hauling truck making use of a tridem-axle tractor, equipped both with and without a forced-steering tag-axle or pusher-axle, in comparison to the conventional fixed tandem-axle tractor. The entire vehicle chosen for analysis consists of a tractor/quadaxle trailer combination; it includes a tractor, a dolly, and a trailer joined to the tractor by a long payload (logs). The dolly, too, is joined to the tractor by a variable length drawbar. The objective is to develop and apply a mathematical model to examine the influence on the vehicle's directional performance of different steering ratios between the tractor's front wheels and the tag-axle or pusher-axle. Different methods for selecting the steering ratios are discussed. The vehicle's directional performance is evaluated against selected performance measures, namely, friction demand at the tractor drive axles, degree of understeer, offtracking, and rearward amplification.
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