DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF A LOW SPEED DRAG PLOW FOR USE IN DEEP SNOW

Winter logistical operations employing wheeled vehicles are severely restricted because of traction losses in deep snow. To enable the use of wheeled vehicles for off-road winter deployment, an independent drag-plow was developed to be attached to the pintel mount of the U.S. Army's small unit support vehicle (SUSV). Small-scale testing revealed significant stability problems with a towed wedge-shaped plow model. Geometric modifications to the plow design and a 4-bar parallel motion towing linkage were developed to stabilize plow roll and pitch, respectively. A welded aluminum half-width model incorporating these modifications was successfully tested at Keweenaw Research Center in northern Michigan in January 1991. Parameters measured during testing included pitch and roll angles, drawbar forces, speed, plowed path geometry, and snow characteristics. These parameters were used to determine the feasibility of a full-scale model capable of plowing a 2.45-m path in 1-m-deep low density snow, leaving 15 cm of snow as ground cover. The model performed well in medium density snow, with drawbar forces in the 5.6-kN range. Plow penetration was limited by a geometric constraint of the 4-bar linkage, with 15 deg the approximate maximum link angle from horizontal. Pitch and roll stability in off-road applications was excellent, with the plow demonstrating an ability to right itself and dig in after encountering obstacles. Successful half-width tests have proven the concept of utilizing a SUSV-towed V-plow for clearing access roads in deep snow for off-road winter operations. Data extrapolation of half-width tests demonstrates that a full-scale plow is feasible.

• Corporate Authors:

  U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory

  72 Lyme Road
  Hanover, NH  United States  03755-1290
• Authors:
  • Walsh, M R
  • RICHMOND, P W
• Publication Date: 1992-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 59 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Access roads; All terrain vehicles; Design; Feasibility analysis; Motor vehicles; Offroad traffic; Snowplows; Stability (Mechanics)
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment; I62: Winter Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00625445
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CRREL Report 92-19
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 3 1993 12:00AM