Hydro-mechanical powertrain for timber transport vehicles: technological relationship with the impact on the soil and plant environment

Abstract

Reducing the negative impact on the forest soil and vegetation environment of wheeled propellers of biaxial articulated forest transport vehicles, along with changing the parameters of the propellers themselves, can be effectively carried out by redistributing the power flow in the hydromechanical transmission. In order to ensure high traction performance and cross-country capability through single obstacles (root systems) in the conditions of a cutting area, it is necessary to take into account the rational parameters of the components and assemblies of the hydromechanical transmission based on new scientifically sound technical solutions. A review of the designs of hydromechanical transmissions of domestic and foreign-made forest transport vehicles revealed their advantages and disadvantages that affect the effectiveness of their use in the conditions of forest exploitation. The primary transportation of trees, which occupies a significant volume during logging, is effectively handled by forest transport vehicles with high energy saturation. The use of a promising torque converter design as part of a hydromechanical transmission unit for the separate drive of the drive axles of wheeled articulated timber vehicles will compensate for the effect of external forces and reactions to the wheel mover, as well as minimize the phenomenon of power circulation in a closed loop "wheel mover – bearing surface", which will contribute to an increase in traction performance. The technological relationship from the use of different powertrain designs is characterized by moderate differentiation (p < 0.05) according to the criteria of impact on the soil environment, based on the use of the median method in the statistical analysis of similarities and differences. Future research will answer the following questions: how will the level of loss of useful power in the hydromechanical transmission of a wheeled forest transport vehicle equipped with a new torque converter change in conditions of constantly changing external influences? How and how closely will the transmission parameters with the new torque converter affect the performance and patency of the forest transport vehicle, taking into account the characteristics of the soil and plant environment?