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This paper summarizes the techniques and guidelines which were used to reduce the driver perceived noise level of a 145-210 HP series of agricultural tractors. Graphs of case study test results and comments on subjective noise quality are provided to guide the acoustic novice through the complexities of the vehicle sound environment in a methodical problem solving format.

The potential contributions of acoustical technology to manufacturing companies pervade nearly all of its functions from marketing and product planning to design engineering and quality control. Despite this, however, companies generally feel uneasy when they embark on programs to use acoustics in their operations because the technology seems complicated and somehow harder to “get a handle on” than it is in other cases. But the issues of product sound, and the benefits of acoustics on a diagnostic tool are too important to ignore, so in this paper we discuss these issues in a “20 questions” format to help planners, engineers and managers as they proceed to implement acoustical technology in their organizations.

J I Case Company has produced four-wheel-drive agricultural tractors since 1964. In 1984 however, the flagship of the Case fleet changed hands. Rising labor costs and larger farming operations spearheaded the need for a more efficient larger tractor. January 1984 marked the introduction of the largest four-wheel-drive tractor in the history of Case, the 4994, a 400-gross engine horsepower tractor, Figure 1. Sheer horsepower alone however, would not meet the requirements of today's farming operations. Case Engineering realized that tomorrows tractors must have sufficient power to handle the wide variety of attachments available. They also realized that along with the unmatched power must come precise control of the attachment. These advancements in farming have required improvements to the tractor hydraulic system. This paper describes the hydraulic system of the 4994, Case's new flagship.

The 70 Series 4WD tractors offered by John Deere has been replaced by a new 9000 product line as part of the continuous improvement process to meet customer needs and provide a product with maximum value to our customers. The new model lineup is 260, 310, 360, and 425 engine HP. All models are powered by John Deere engines with the largest 3 models using the new 10.5L and 12.5L engines. The new line of 9000 Series tractors is a styled tractor family which uses many of the 8000 Series Row Crop tractor concepts and designs. This new product line provides improved operator comfort, enhanced operator conveniences, and simplified serviceability.

A 3-dimensional procedure has been developed to apply the Driver's Eye Range standard and the interior environment section of the Field of View standards. The procedure uses line-of-sight as a more accurate method of locating and creating the information required. This method produces a truer representation of what is seen and allows for expansion into other obstructions. The procedure can be enhanced with computer macros to shorten the time required to produce these studies.

A braking force distribution strategy in integrated braking system composed of the main braking system and the auxiliary braking system based on braking pad wear control and hitch force control under non-emergency braking condition is proposed based on the Electronically Controlled Braking System (EBS) to reduce the difference in braking pad wear between different axles and to decrease hitch force between tractors and trailers. The proposed strategy distributes the braking force based on the desired braking intensity, the degree of the braking pad wear and the limits of certain braking regulations to solve the coupling problems between braking safety, economical efficiency of braking and the comfort of drivers. Computer co-simulations of the proposed strategy are performed.

Current trends in application technology indicate an increasing realization on the part of manufacturers and users of agricultural chemicals of the important role that application techniques and/or equipment play in the overall success of pesticide application. The trends that are most significantly influencing the way chemicals are currently applied include: increased emphasis on improving the accuracy of application increased use of low volume application (3-8 GPA) renewed interest in use of granular application increased use of conservation tillage increased emphasis on reduction in environmental contamination, both within and outside the target area increased use of highly active cam-pounds

Close-range photogrammetry (CRP) is traditionally based on a network captured with the camera lens at a fixed focal length. A zoom lens is not desirable without solving the intrinsic camera parameters for varying focal length and lens distortion. When using a zoom lens camera, multiple focal lengths can be used if the camera is calibrated for each varying focal length, but most consumer grade lenses are not designed to accurately return to (or stay at) mid-range focal lengths. Similarly, using close-range photogrammetric software systems to accurately recover three-dimensional (XYZ) data from Point and Shoot (PAS) digital cameras has been problematic when the images were not intended for CRP. PAS cameras are automatically refocused and easily zoomed so the focal length and lens distortion are typically unknown for CRP mensuration purposes. In such circumstances, traditional CRP analysis can be both laborious and difficult without the correct camera parameters.

This paper focus on some of the fatigue methodologies based on the frequency domain and how they can be used on the heavy vehicle industry. A calculation flow was developed which consist of two steps. At first the stresses on the desired frequency bandwidth are calculated using a finite element software and those are then used as inputs on a Matlab script that estimate the expected life using two different theories, Bendat’s narrow band and Dirlik. The proposed methodology is then compared with more established time domain calculations. At first a plain hand calculation with a simpler input is performed on both domains before evaluating the differences with a more complex random stress signal input. Finally, test data from a rig test is used to validate the frequency domain fatigue methods using real life data.

Frequency domain testing has had limited use in the past for durability evaluations of automotive components. Recent advances and new perspectives now make it a viable option. Using frequency domain testing for components, test times can be greatly reduced, resulting in considerable savings of time, money, and resources. Quality can be built into the component, thus making real-time subsystem and full vehicle testing and development more meaningful. Time domain testing historically started with block cycle histogram tests. Improved capabilities of computers, controllers, math procedures, and algorithms have led to real time simulation in the laboratory. Real time simulation is a time domain technique for duplicating real world environments using computer controlled multi-axial load inputs. It contains all phase information as in the recorded proving ground data. However, normal equipment limitations prevent the operation at higher frequencies.

Regulatory requirements in the European Union (EU) for off-road machines and road vehicles are different. Vehicles which transport passengers and goods, along with attached trailers, as well as road motorcycles must meet EEC type-approval requirements. All other types of self-propelled machines must meet the requirements of the Machinery Directive (Council Directive 98/37/EC), and the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive (Council Directive 89/336/EEC) and possibly other directives. This includes such categories as agriculture and forestry machines, construction machines, industrial trucks and similar products. The various directives outline the different processes for demonstrating compliance with the EU requirements. The intent of this paper is to summarize a few of the requirements that are of interest to off-highway equipment manufacturers and to identify some sources of information about the regulatory requirements.

“Today, wearing parts are regularly subjected to abnormal loading conditions. They must be able to accept these conditions without failure. In continuous operations, unscheduled downtime greatly increases maintenance costs, not to mention the cost of lost production. White iron castings offer premium abrasion resistance for many of these applications, but are often not used due to the possibility of brittle failure and the difficulty of mechanical attachment. This paper discusses the properties and applications of a composite of martensitic white iron and mild steel. This laminate will accept medium to high impact without loss of service failure, and can be installed by mechanical means or with welded attachment.”

A class of heavy truck vehicles, characterized primarily by high centers of gravity, was studied using analysis and computer simulation to identify and understand the relationship between directional and roll stability of such vehicles during steady turning maneuvers. Findings of the computer-based study suggest: (1) directional instability (yaw divergence) is possible for such vehicles during steady turning while operating at elevated speeds on horizontal road surfaces, (2) yaw divergence will lead to rollover in the absence of corrective steering action and/or reduced speed, and (3) the primary mechanism responsible for precipitating yaw divergent behavior in such vehicles is the nonlinear sensitivity of truck tire cornering stiffness to vertical load acting in combination with typical heavy truck fore/aft roll stiffness distributions. In addition, the influences of roadway superelevation and driver steering control as contributors to vehicle stabilization are examined and discussed.

A software tool has been developed to aid designers and process engineers in the development and improvement of heat treat processes. This tool, DANTE™, combines metallurgical phase transformation models with mass diffusion, thermal and mechanical models to simulate the heating, carburization, quenching and tempering of steel parts. The technology behind the DANTE software and some applications are presented in this paper.

On January 10th, 1972, an S. A. E. Paper “Lighting System Performance and the Computer as a Maintenance Tool” (720087) was presented by Charles J. Owen. This was a paper presented on the causes, effects, corrections and a study in good and bad electrical wiring, presented pictorially as well as editorially. We recommend that paper to you for reading. On November 4th, 1974, S. A. E. Paper “A Case for Standardization” (741143) was presented by Charles J. Owen. The purpose of this paper was intent on “improving the breed”. The recommendations and specifications were very specific. In view of the two previous papers, this paper is presented specifically for the designer with back-up data involving recommendations that the industry have generally accepted as applied to the electrical wiring systems The practical data included, is a first in relating indexes of performance and indexes to cost comparisons. The usefulness of this paper in aiding a Designer is the target of the authors.

Diesel powered vehicles are characterized by two distinctives, of particulate, sensed by sight, and odor, sensed by smell. Dramatically reducing these distinctives would result in a “clean diesel”. A joint program of Yellow Freight System, Inc. (YFS) and the author's employer (DCI) has addressed one distinctive (particulate) and has resulted in an exhaust filtering system for the diesel forklift trucks YFS use to move freight at their terminals. This paper covers design, installation, and testing of the system to filter the particulate emissions emanating from these forklifts. The filters, designed to operate for one programmed maintenance (PM) cycle, are then cleaned in off-board equipment and returned to service for another cycle. All filter materials utilized are compatible with the 200°C normal maximum operating temperature, although short excursions to 260°C have not been detrimental.

Commercial vehicle operators and governments around the world are looking for ways to cut down on fuel consumption for economic and environmental reasons. Two main factors affecting the fuel consumption of a vehicle are the drive route and the driver behavior. The drive route can be specified by information such as speed limit, road grade, road curvature, traffic etc. The driver behavior, on the other hand, is difficult to classify and can be responsible for as much as 35% variation in fuel consumption. In this work, nearly 600,000 miles of drive data is utilized to identify driving behaviors that significantly affect fuel consumption. Based on this analysis, driving scenarios and related driver behaviors are identified that result in the most efficient vehicle operation. A driver assistance system is presented in this paper that assists the driver in driving more efficiently by issuing scenario specific advice.

A new sensing technology has been developed by the U.S. Department of Energy that makes possible non-mechanical means of position sensing, fluid level measurement, occupant sensing, distance measurement, and materials analysis. This technology is called Micropowered Impulse Radar or MIR. MIR technology can be used for direct measurements using a probe, or remote measurements with an antenna. Although many new and unique sensor applications are possible using MIR, this paper covers the description, design and characteristics of a time domain reflectometer (TDR) fuel/fluid level sensor using MIR technology. A comparison with other non-mechanical fuel level measurement technologies will be made.