Enhancement of ride vibration environment of tracked sidewalk snowploughs: vehicle modelling and analysis

The ride dynamics of a tracked snowplough is analysed through systematic considerations of the track dynamics, track-terrain interactions, road-wheel suspension, secondary suspension and biodynamics characteristics of the human driver. Analytical models of various components are developed and integrated to realise a twelve-degree-of-freedom in-plane ride dynamic model of a tracked snowploughing vehicle. The analytical model is analysed under excitations due to different random undeformable roads and ploughing forces. The validity of the vehicle model is demonstrated by comparing its response with the field measured data acquired for a prototype vehicle with an elastic track, solid elastic wheels, and suspended road-wheels and cab. The ride quality of the prototype vehicle model is assessed using the methodology and frequency-weighting filters proposed in ISO 2631 (1997). The vehicle model is further analysed to study the influence of variations in various design and operating parameters on its ride quality performance. The results of the study are utilised to propose desirable design and operating parameters of the snowploughing vehicle for enhancement of its ride vibration environment.