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Patents granted recently to Mr. Rode have changed the industry capability to adjust and verify wheel-end bearings on trucks. Until now it was believed1 that there was nothing available to confirm or verify the most desirable settings of preload on these bearings. The new, breakthrough invention is a tool and spindle-locking nut that permit quick and accurate wheel bearing adjustment by utilizing direct reading force measurement. Bearings can be set to either SAE recommended preloads or specific endplay settings. The author has been working on bearing adjustment methods for industrial applications for over forty years, and considers these inventions to be his most important breakthrough for solving this elusive bearing adjustment problem. Consistent wheel bearing preload adjustment was not possible before, even though it was widely known to achieve the best wheel performance as noted in SAE specification J2535 and re-affirmed in 2006 by the SAE Truck and Bus Wheel Subcommittee.

Transport Canada, through its ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles program, retained the services of the National Research Council Canada to undertake a test program to examine the operational and human factors considerations concerning the removal of the side mirrors on a Class 8 tractor equipped with a 53 foot dry van semi-trailer. Full scale aerodynamic testing was performed in a 2 m by 3 m wind tunnel on a system component basis to quantify the possible fuel savings associated with the removal of the side mirrors. The mirrors on a Volvo VN780 tractor were removed and replaced with a prototype camera-based indirect vision system consisting of four cameras mounted in the front fender location; two cameras on either side of the vehicle. Four monitors mounted in the vehicle - two mounted on the right A-pillar and two mounted on the left A-pillar - provided indirect vision information to the vehicle operator.

Due to recent infrastructural development and emerging competitive automotive markets, there is seen a huge shift in customer’s demand and vehicle drivability pattern in commercial vehicle industry. Now apart from ensuring better vehicle durability and best in class tyre life and fuel mileage, a vehicle manufacturer also has to focus on other key attributes like driver’s safety and ride comfort. Thus, for ensuring enhanced drivability, key parameters for ensuring better vehicle handling includes optimization of bump steer and brake steer. Both bump steer and brake steer are vehicle’s undesirable phenomenon where a driver is forced to constantly make steering wheel correction in order to safely maneuver the vehicle in the desired path.

The flow-field around a “common” European heavy truck, equipped with several different trailer devices, is investigated using steady and unsteady simulations. This work demonstrates how with simple devices added on the trailer it is possible to strongly decrease the aerodynamic drag over 10%, with an increase of overall dimensions below 1% without any change to the load capacity of the trailer. Several devices, installed on the trailer, are tested on a target vehicle and the shape of the “airbag”, the “fin”, the “boat tail” and the “front-rear trailer device” has been optimized to achieve the maximum in drag reduction in front wind. The performance of the optimized devices are tested also in cross wind conditions with the yaw angle varying from 0° to 30°. The truck equipped with the front-rear trailer device is also investigated using time variant simulation with yaw angle of 0°, 5°, 10°.

Safety of the operators in any equipment can be achieved by both passive and active systems. Passive safety system includes Seat belt, air bag, bumper, and other structural components which protects the operator from injuries during accidents. On the other hand, Active safety systems like Braking, Steering, Collision avoidance system, operator fatigue monitoring systems, etc., minimize and eliminate the accidents among which the Brake system is primarily used to control and stop the equipment. Considering the field operating conditions of motor grader, it is very essential to provide fool proof braking system to control and stop the equipment. In order to obtain maximum productivity the equipment speed is kept substantially high. Brake systems are operated using Air, Hydraulics, etc., among which the Air brake system offers simple and easy serviceability over hydraulic system.

In order to build a useful and comfortable in-car human machine interface systems, the information presentation method should be easy to understand (low mental workload) and one should be able to respond with ease to the information presented (low response workload). We are making efforts to establish an evaluation method that would differentiate between mental workload and response workload. Here, we present the results of our trial using brain waves measurements (Eye Fixation Related Potentials). We focus on the relation between P3 latencies and drivers response workload compared to mental workload in a task involving eye movements. Previous experiments showed that P3 latency correlates strongly with the amount of information presented. The current experiment shows that P3 latencies seem to be independent to the type of response the subject is requested to perform.

As electronics is increasingly penetrating automotive subsystems for both passenger and commercial vehicle, need for providing control solutions meeting stringent automotive requirements on one hand and delivering first time right solution based on frugal implementation on another hand is increasingly being felt. Reuse of proven building blocks is one of the key design techniques automotive engineers have been adopting over the years, and automotive embedded systems are no exception. To meet such expectations, vehicle OEMs desire a common Electronic Control Unit (ECU) architecture wherever possible. However as on date, most of the tier-1 suppliers provide different ECU architectures for both 12 Volt and 24 Volt applications. Key challenges are use of common interfaces for output and input devices as well as a common power-supply design which meets 8 to 36 volt requirements. This paper describes the hurdles and solutions for meeting this requirement.

This study attempts to predict the effect of visual impairment from simulated levels of splash and spray on target vehicle identification distances. Five levels of hand held spray simulation frames were used to compare image digitization methods with visual performance (Snellen acuity or contrast sensitivity) assessment to predict a drivers ability to identify an oncoming target vehicle. The image digitization process was found to be highly correlated with actual target vehicle identification distances. Additionally, very high correlations were found between Snellen acuity and contrast sensitivity and identification distance. There did not seem to be any great difference in predictive power of either method of visual performance assessment over the other.

The Equipment Manufacturers Institute (EMI) sponsored a literature search conducted by Triodyne, Inc. which attempted to identify all “Operator Protective Zones” ever utilized in the world. This effort was intended to determine whether published information existed to define a more compact Operator Protective Zone than those of current SAE (ASAE) standards for possible utilization in developing a new standard for a more compact design of Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) for small agricultural tractors. The research has led Triodyne to conclude that the Operator Protective Zones upon which the current SAE (ASAE) ROPS standards are based are the only substantiated zones available for possible application to small agricultural tractors.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the branch of computer science committed to attaining and exceeding the intelligence of the human brain, primarily by innovative software technology. Following significant accomplishments in all phases of human endeavor are proof of its potential: medical diagnostics and treatments, military weapon and space technology, learning and teaching, plus manufacturing and expert systems, robotics, etc. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of AI applications, tools and techniques and to assist and encourage renewed initiative in research, development and applications of AI enhanced expert systems and robotics for the benefit of our industry.

This report discusses the use of specialized analytical procedures that can be used to predict the structural behavior of ROPS and machine frame systems subjected to testing as described in SAE Recommended Practice J1040. For practical reasons, these complex calculations require the use of computerized methods. Specific approaches that are thought to be essential to preparing accurate analytical predictions are described. The importance of an experienced ROPS analyst is reviewed. The use of analytical procedures to predict the performance of ROPS is especially desirable for ROPS designed for installation on very large off-road machines, where problems of testing are extraordinarily great, and for predicting the effects of changes to proven ROPS designs before retesting. This report also covers the use of these analytical techniques as ROPS design tools.

This recommended practice is specifically limited to tractor scrapers, wheel loaders, wheel tractors, graders, and dumpers (as defined in SAE J1116 (January, 1977) and J1057a (June, 1975)) which are designed to operate at a maximum rated speed in excess of 20.0 km/h (12.4 mph) and which employ power source(s) in addition to the operator control effort to effect machine steering.

Minimum performance criteria for service braking systems, emergency stopping systems, and parking systems for off-highway, rubber-tired, self-propelled loaders, dumpers, tractor scrapers, graders, cranes, excavators, and tractors with bulldozer are provided in this SAE Recommended Practice. Refer to SAE J1057 and J1116 (Sections 1.1, 1.2, and 2) for machine identification.

Minimum performance criteria for service braking systems, emergency stopping systems, and parking systems for off-highway, rubber-tired, self-propelled loaders, dumpers, tractor scrapers, graders, cranes, excavators, and tractors with dozer are provided in this SAE Recommended Practice. Refer to SAE J1057 (July, 1973) and J1116 (July, 1975) (Sections 1.1, 1.2, and 2) for machine identification.

This SAE Standard applies to the following off-road work machines of mass greater than 700 kg that are commonly used in earthmoving, construction, logging, and mining applications as identified in SAE J1116 JUN86 and designed for an-board, seated operator: a Crawler tractors and loaders (see SAE J1057 SEP88 Sections 3.1 and 7.1 and SAE J727 JAN86 for description and nomenclature). b Graders (see SAE J1057 SEP88 Section 6 and SAE J870 JUL84 for description and nomenclature). c Wheel loaders, wheel tractors, and their modifications used for rolling or compacting, dozer equipped wheel tractors, wheel log skidders, skid steer loaders, and backhoe loaders (see SAE J1057 SEP88 Sections 3.2, 7.2, and 9 for description and nomenclature). d Wheel industrial tractors (see SAE J1092 JUN86 for description and nomenclature). e Tractor portion of semi-mounted scrapers, water wagons, articulated steer dumpers, bottom dump wagons, side dump wagons, rear dump wagons, and towed fifth wheel attachments (see SAE J1057 SEP88 Sections 4.1.1.4, 4.1.2, 4.2.1.1, 4.3.1.2, 4.3.1.3, 4.3.2, and 5 and SAE J869 JUL90 and SAE J728 JUL90 for description and nomenclature). f Rollers and compactors (see SAE J1017 JAN86 for description and nomenclature). g Rigid frame dumpers with full mounted bodies (see SAE J1057 SEP88 Sections 4.1.1.1, 4.1.1.2, 4.1.1.3, 4.1.1.5, and 4.3.1.1 and SAE J1016 JUL90 for description and nomenclature).

This standard applies to the following off-road work machines of mass greater than 700 kg that are commonly used in earthmoving, construction, logging, and mining applications as identified in SAE J1116 JUN86 and designed for an on-board, seated operator: (a) Crawler tractors and loaders (See SAE J1057 JUN81 Sections 3.1 and 7.1 and SAE J727 JAN86 for description and nomenclature.) (b) Graders (See SAE J1057 JUN81 Section 6 and SAE J870 JUL84 for description and nomenclature.) (c) Wheel loaders, wheel tractors and their modifications used for rolling or compacting, dozer equipped wheel tractors, wheel log skidders, skid steer loaders, and backhoe loaders (See SAE J1057 JUN81 Sections 3.2, 7.2 and 9 for description and nomenclature.) (d) Wheel industrial tractors (See SAE J1092 JUN86 for description and nomenclature.)

The following off-highway machines commonly used in earthmoving, construction, logging, and mining applications are included (pneumatic-tired agricultural machines and machines whose use is predominantly, or entirely, in manufacturing plants and/or warehouses are specifically excluded): (a) Crawler tractors and crawler loaders of mass greater than 700 kg (1543 lb). (b) Graders of mass greater than 700 kg (1543 lb). (c) Wheel loaders, and wheel tractors, and their modifications used for rolling and compacting, and wheel log skidders of mass greater than 700 kg (1543 lb). (d) The tractor portion of semi-mounted scrapers, dumpers, water wagons, bottom dump wagons, rear dump wagons and towed fifth wheel attachments of mass greater than 700 kg (1543 lb). (e) Dumpers with full-mounted bodies of mass greater than 700 kg (1543 lb). (f) Skid-steer loaders of mass greater than 700 kg (1543 lb). (g) Wheel loaders and wheel tractors equipped with dozers of mass greater than 700 kg (1543 lb).

The test procedures and performance criteria are directed to operation and parking of agricultural tractors equipped with braking system(s) and having a maximum design speed exceeding 6 km/h. Combinations of agricultural towing machines equipped with braking systems and towed agricultural machines without braking systems are included in this SAE Standard.

The following off-highway vehicles commonly used in earthmoving, construction, logging, and industrial applications are included (pneumatic-tired agricultural vehicles and vehicles whose use is predominantly, or entirely, in manufacturing plants and/or warehouses are specifically excluded): (a) Track-type tractors of mass greater than 700 kg (1540 lb). (b) Pneumatic-tired, self-propelled motor graders of mass greater than 700 kg (1540 lb). (c) Pneumatic-tired front-end loaders and dozers of mass greater than 700 kg (1540 lb). (d) Pneumatic-tired prime movers of mass greater than 700 kg (1540 lb). (e) Pneumatic-tired, off-highway, nontrailed hauling units, with rear or side dump bodies, of mass greater than 700 kg (1540 lb). (f) Four-wheel drive, skid steer, front-end loaders of mass greater than 700 kg (1540 lb). (g) Industrial-type, wheeled front-end loaders and dozers of mass greater than 700 kg (1540 lb).