Browsing by Subject "Fatigue"

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Load based evaluation of machines using the example of a tractor
(2018) Balbach, Florian; Böttinger, Stefan
The estimation of tractor value requires a lot of experience and knowledge and relies mainly on to-tal operation hours and manufacturing year. Today each tractor operation hour is considered to be equal because tractor meters operate time based only and do not consider the varying loads. But tractors face multiple applications within a year. Each application puts different loads on each tractor assembly such as engine, gearbox, axles or power take-off. A more precise method is introduced to evaluate tractor operation hours on basis of real applica-tion loads of each tractor assembly within the drivetrain separately. The method relates accumulat-ed tractor loads to standard operation loads which are defined by a reference load spectrum for the specific assembly. For the load evaluation a pseudo damage calculation similar to the Miner’s rule is used. A test tractor was equipped with strain gauge sensors to measure torque flow within the drivetrain. A variety of different tractor applications were measured and load spectra for different assemblies were generated. Based on different tractor application profiles lifetime load spectra for the differ-ent assemblies can be calculated. Further consolidation of the individual load factors can be done by weighting of the assemblies. The resulting load factor brings transparent information about in-tensity of tractor usage. Results show big differences between the assemblies and between the different application profiles. This supports the demand for a new method for tractor evaluation