Effect of Grouser Height on the Tractive Performance of Single Grouser Shoe under Different Soil Moisture Contents in Clay Loam Terrain

The grouser height and soil conditions have a considerable influence on the tractive performance of single-track shoe. A soil bin-based research was conducted to assess the influence of grouser height on the tractive performance of single-track shoe at different moisture contents of clay loam soil. Eight moisture contents (7.5, 12, 16.7, 21.5, 26.2, 30.7, 35.8, and 38%) and three grouser heights (45, 55, and 60 mm) were comprised during this study. The tractive performance parameters of (thrust, running resistance, and traction) were determined by penetration test. A sensor-based soil bin was designed for penetration tests, which was included penetration system (AC motor, loadcell, and displacement sensor). The test results revealed that soil cohesion was decreased, and adhesion was increased after 16.7% moisture content. Soil thrust at lateral sides and bottom of grouser were increased before 16.7%, and then decreased for all the three heights but the major decrease was observed at 45 mm height. The motion resistance was linearly decreased, the more reduction was on 45 mm at 38% moisture content. The traction of the single-track shoe was decreased with a rise in moisture content, the maximum decrease was on 45 mm grouser height at 38% moisture content. It could be concluded that an off-road tracked vehicle (crawler combine harvester) with 45 mm grouser height of single-track shoe could be operated towards a moderate moisture content range (16.7–21.5%) under paddy soil for better traction.