Title: Ride comfort simulation of a wheel loader with suspended axles

Authors: A. Rehnberg, L. Drugge

Addresses: KTH Vehicle Dynamics, Centre for ECO² Vehicle Design, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden. ' KTH Vehicle Dynamics, Centre for ECO² Vehicle Design, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: Wheel loaders are used in a variety of tasks. The traditional design of the vehicle is unfavourable from a ride comfort standpoint, as the unsuspended axles lead to high vibration levels. This study investigates the possibility to reduce driver vibrations by introducing suspended wheel axles. A multibody simulation model is used to study vibration levels with and without suspension. Results show that vertical and longitudinal vibrations are reduced significantly when comparing with the unsuspended vehicle. Less reduction is attained in the lateral direction, mainly because of high roll stiffness and the high placement of the driver seat.

Keywords: wheel loaders; front end loaders; off-road vehicles; ride comfort; MBS; multibody simulation; hydropneumatic suspension; driver vibrations; suspended wheel axles; vehicle suspensions; high roll stiffness; driver seat placement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVSMT.2008.023836

International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2008 Vol.3 No.3, pp.168 - 188

Published online: 16 Mar 2009 *

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