Performance of a Towed Implement with Electrically Driven Traction-Assist System

Highlights An electrically driven traction-assist powered axle was integrated into a triple-axle large-capacity slurry tanker. The traction-assist system reduced tractor drawbar pull, wheel slip, and drawbar power requirements. Specific fuel consumption showed no significant reduction with the implementation of the traction-assist system. Abstract. Hybrid diesel engine-generator systems represent a near-term application that precedes the widespread adoption of fully electric tractors. One such application is a traction-assist system on one or more of the axles of a towed implement. Given the scarcity of published evaluations on such applications, we investigated the effectiveness of this system on a large slurry tanker. The investigation involved testing a 36 m 3 tanker with partial and full loads (42.4 and 52.9 Mg) in conditions where traction was favorable, and field slopes were minimal. A randomized and replicated experiment was conducted involving two variables: tanker load (either full or partially full) and traction-assist (engaged or disengaged), resulting in a two-by-two design. The results indicated significant reductions in tractor drawbar pull, wheel slip, and drawbar power requirements occurred with the traction-assist system engaged. However, despite these encouraging results, no significant decrease was observed in specific fuel consumption. The favorable traction conditions might have limited the effectiveness of the traction-assist system in reducing energy consumption. The positive traction and wheel slip results suggest that the system’s greatest potential may lie in soft, wet soil environments and steep terrain. In such challenging scenarios, the traction-assist system will likely demonstrate its full utility by enhancing traction, minimizing tractor wheel slip, and ultimately boosting productivity. Future research should be conducted under these more challenging conditions. Keywords: Electric drive, Slurry, Tanker, Traction, Tractor.