Tractors are heavy-duty machines that are designed and built for heavy workloads. They are used for plowing fields, hauling heavy loads, and transporting goods from one place to another. One of the critical components of a tractor is its wheels. Tractor wheels are different from regular vehicle wheels and are designed to provide excellent traction on rough terrains. But why do tractors have big wheels at the back? This article will explore the reasons behind this design feature.
The Purpose of Tractors
Tractors are designed to perform heavy workloads, such as tilling, plowing, sowing, and reaping, among other things. These tasks require the machines to have improved traction, particularly when working on rough or uneven terrains. Tractors guarantee stability and traction by distributing their weight evenly on the ground. With this, the wheels are responsible for carrying the weight in the tractor and transferring it to the ground, making wheels an integral component of the tractor.
The Importance of Tractor Rear Wheels
Tractors are usually heavier at their front than their rear. This design difference is primarily due to the front-half weight, which houses the engine and the primary components that drive the machine. In contrast, the rear of the tractor houses lighter components, such as the transmission and the driver's seat. With this, the rear wheels have to do the most work, such as providing the necessary traction to move the machine effectively.
Factors that Determine Wheel Size
The size of the tractor wheel is dependent on several factors, including the machine's weight, engine power, the terrain it is operating on, and the task at hand. In general, the terrain and task are the essential considerations to determine wheel size. For example, tractors operating on flat terrains with minimal tilting do not require large wheels. In contrast, tractors maneuvering through steep terrains with heavy workloads require large rear wheels to prevent skidding or toppling. Also, the engine power is a vital consideration, and machines with more horsepower require big wheels for better stability and traction.
The Advantages of Big Rear Wheels
The most obvious advantage of tractors having big wheels at the back is greater stability and enhanced traction. Large rear wheels provide better weight distribution, thereby reducing soil compaction and improving overall machine performance. Second, big wheels help overcome terrains with a lot of obstacles and steep grades, which is possible because of the wheels' grip, which minimizes skidding and slipping. Finally, big wheels improve fuel economy because they reduce rolling resistance, and the engine does less work, resulting in significant fuel savings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tractors have big wheels at the back for good reason. These wheels are designed to provide enhanced stability, improved weight distribution, and better traction, among other things necessary for the efficient operation of the machine. These wheel sizes are determined by a variety of factors, including terrain, task, engine power, and payload. Through the application of big rear wheels, the tractor can operate in difficult and challenging environments, maximizing its overall efficiency and productivity.