Drawbar Performance of Tractor Tyres with Steel Spikes At 100%-Wheel Slip

Abstract A driving wheel is a part of a tractor, which transmits forces from a tyre to the ground. Therefore, it affects the tractor movement and the pulling of an implement. The paper is aimed at a tractive performance evaluation of special driving wheels based on drawbar pull at 100%-slip. These wheels consist of steel spikes to be applied in the base or working position. The design is characterized by the spikes placed in a tyre-tread pattern. The rubber lugs of the tyre are higher than spikes, therefore, they are not in contact with the ground in the base position. The spikes in the working position exceed the tyre diameter to be in contact with the ground. Tests were performed on a grass plot at a relatively low soil moisture. The spike tyres were compared with the standard tyres using a sub-compact tractor. An increase in drawbar pull reached a statistically significant value of 15.9% in the 2nd gear and 16.7% in the 1st gear.