STUDYING THE TOWING CHARACTERISTICS AND EFFICIENCY OF DIFFERENTIAL AND MOVING PARTS OF THE GAZ-3302 AUTOMOBILE

The authors have analyzed the main disadvantages of using simple gear differentials in the conditions of low load bearing surfaces characteristic of the agricultural transport network. The imperfect design of such differentials leads to various negative consequences when driving in diffi cult road conditions. Using the GAZ-3302 truck as an example, the authors consider the infl uence of the automobile slipping degree on the effi ciency of its use in terms of the effi ciency of a differential and pneumatic wheel propulsion parts. Using a special set of devices, the authors have established that, under the same test conditions, a decrease
in the vertical axle load leads to an increase in the split slip ratio. The use of a patented automatic differential locking mechanism in the GAZ-3302 truck makes it possible to reduce the value of the separate slipping coeffi cient on various types of bearing surfaces from 15 to 22%, on the average. It has been established that the effi ciency loss of the propulsion parts, with reference to the GAZ-3302, is 11.6…18.4%, depending on the operating conditions of the clutch and the vehicle workload. Analyzing the results of experimental studies, the authors conclude that the effi ciency loss of the propulsion parts of a wheeled vehicle is inextricably linked with the amount of separate slipping of the driving wheels. The conclusion is made about the necessity for further improvement of systems and devices to analyze skidding and effi ciency of propulsion parts to provide for their more accurate design.