Vibration tests on an agricultural tractor equipped with advanced vibration control systems for different configurations

Tests were carried out on a 140 CV agricultural tractor under different operating conditions: while the tractor was ploughing, while it was moving on unploughed soil and while it was travelling at three different speeds on surfaced road. Tri-axial frequency weighted accelerations were acquired on the seat surface and on the cabin floor together with the values of the running speed. Measurements were repeated in the following machine configurations: a) original configuration; b) with the hydraulic cylinder on the front axle locked; c) replacing the two spring-loaded dampers on the cabin rear side with rigid spacers; d) substituting the semi-active seat with a pneumatic one; e) using tyres with a reduced pressure instead of the normal one. The survey showed that the best configuration is the original one: the suspensions play an important role in limiting vibrations, the semi-active seat is not particularly effective, and the use of tyres with a reduced pressure does not reduce the vibrations transmitted to the driver.