Improving the efficiency of using tractors by equipping the drive wheels with a built-in differential

.Relevance. The efficiency of the use of agricultural wheel units, the process of interaction of the wheel mover with the support surface is influenced by structural parameters, the properties of the support surface and the tire tread, the ratio of vertical load and longitudinal pushing force. In order to reduce wheel slipping, a built-in differential with an off-center application of external knobs and a driving torque is proposedMethods. For a quantitative and qualitative description of the operation of the wheel, methods of analytical, comparative, information-logical and system analysis of factors that have a causal relationship with the performance of mobile units, wheel propellers were used. The analysis of the propeller operation was carried out by the methods of theoretical mechanics on the provisions of the theory of rolling of a deformable wheel on a deformable supporting surface. The subject of the study is a two-stage process of interaction between the surface and the drive wheel during acceleration. At the first stage, the sprung mass of the tractor moves with a stationary wheel rim within its radius. At the second stage, the movement of the tractor masses occurs with a rotating wheel, the wheel gear operates in differential mode, preventing its external slip.Results. The wheel differential contributes to maintaining the maximum value of the friction coefficient and the rational ratio of the driving moment and the moment of resistance to rolling. The use of a built-in differential in wheel propellers is a promising option for their improvement, it helps to maintain a high specific longitudinal reaction, preventing slipping and, thereby, destruction of the soil structure. As a result, the productivity of wheeled mobile units increases, fuel consumption and tire wear decrease, soil compaction decreases.