ANSI/ASAE S296.

5 DEC2003 (R2009)
General Terminology for Traction of Agricultural Traction
and Transport Devices and Vehicles

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ANSI/ASAE S296.5 DEC2003 (R2009)
Revision approved December 2003; reaffirmed February 2009 as an American National Standard

General Terminology for Traction of Agricultural Traction

and Transport Devices and Vehicles

Proposed by the ASAE Tractive and Transport Efficiency Committee;
approved by the ASAE Power and Machinery Division Technical
Committee; adopted by ASAE as a Recommendation June 1966; revised
February 1970; reconfirmed December 1975; revised and reclassified as
a Standard December 1976; reconfirmed December 1981; revised April
1987; reconfirmed December 1991; revised June 1995; approved as an
American National Standard December 1995; reaffirmed by ASAE for
one year January 2001; reaffirmed by ANSI January 2001; reaffirmed by
ASAE December 2001, revised December 2003, approved by ANSI
December 2003; reaffirmed by ASABE and ANSI February 2009.
Keywords: Terminology, Tire, Traction, Transport
1 Purpose and Scope
1.1 This terminology is to assist in the standardized reporting of
information on traction and transport devices and vehicles. When it is not
possible for data to be reported using this terminology, it is recommended
that new terms be clearly defined. Unless otherwise indicated, all
definitions refer to individual traction or transport devices or vehicles
operating on a horizontal surface.
2 Normative references
ASAE EP285.7 JAN01, Use of SI (Metric) Units
OECD Code 1, Standard Code for the Official Testing of Agricultural and
Forestry Tractor Performance
3 Basic terminology common to all traction and
transport devices and vehicles1)
3.1 ballast: Mass that can be added or removed for the purpose of
changing total load or load distribution.
3.2 contact area: The area of engagement of the traction and transport
surfaces, projected onto a horizontal plane at the nominal ground
surface.
3.3 flotation: The ability to resist sinkage into or deformation of a
surface being tranversed.
3.4 ground pressure: The actual pressure exerted vertically on the soil
surface by the traction and transport devices of a vehicle.
3.5 ground pressure, nominal: The static load of a vehicle divided by
the sum of the contract areas of the traction and transport devices in
contact with the ground surface.
3.6 sinkage: Deformation of the supporting surface normal to the
direction of travel of a traction or transport device. Equal to the sum of
the static sinkage and slip sinkage.
3.7 traction device: A powered device for propelling a vehicle using
reaction forces from the supporting surface; may be a wheel, tire, or
track.
3.8 transport device: A non-powered device (zero input or output
torque) that supports a vehicle on a surface during travel over that
surface.
3.9 vehicle: A traction or transport machine incorporating combinations
of traction and/or transport devices.
1)
All units should be consistent with ASAE EP285.7. Use of SI (Metric) Units.
4 Terminology for traction and transport devices
4.1 load, dynamic [Wd]: The total force normal to the undisturbed
supporting surface on which the traction or transport device is operating.
(The force is the sum of the static load and any additional forces such as
load transfer-see figure 1).
4.2 load, static [Ws]: The total force normal to the supporting surface on
which the traction or transport device is standing with zero input torque.
4.3 motion resistance of traction device [MR=GTNT]: The difference
between gross traction and net traction; accounts for all energy losses of
a traction device not attributed to travel reduction (see figure 1). Motion
resistance is the preferred term; also called rolling resistance.
4.4 motion resistance of transport device: The force required in the
direction of travel to overcome resistance from the supporting surface
and internal resistance of the device. Motion resistance is the preferred
term; also called towing force.
4.5 motion resistance ratio [ (or MRR)=MR/Wd]: The ratio of motion
resistance to dynamic load. Motion resistance ratio is the preferred term;
also called coefficient of rolling resistance or coefficient of motion
resistance.
4.6 power, input [T]: The product of input torque and angular
velocity of the driving axle of a traction device.
4.7 power, output [NTV]: The product of net traction and velocity of a
traction device.
4.8 sinkage, slip: Sinkage, that results from the motion of a traction or
transport device.
4.9 sinkage, static: Sinkage of a stationary traction or transport device
under specified zero conditions.
4.10 slip [s]: See travel reduction, the preferred term.
4.11 surface reaction force [R]: The resultant of all forces acting on the
traction or transport device at the surface-device interface (see figure 1).
4.12 torque, input [T]: The moment applied to the axle of the traction
device (see figure 1).
Figure 1 Basic velocities and forces on a wheel, including
resultant soil reaction force

ASABE STANDARDS 2009 ANSIASAE S296.5 DEC2003 R2009 1

4.13 traction, gross [GT=NT+MR]: Gross traction is the sum of net
traction and motion resistance. Gross traction can be calculated from the
energy balance: [GT=NT* (1-travel reduction)/TE].
4.14 traction, net [NT]: The force parallel to the direction of travel,
developed by the traction device and transferred to the vehicle (see
figure 1).
4.15 traction ratio, gross [g=GT/Wd]: The ratio of gross traction to
dynamic load. Gross traction ratio is the preferred term; also called
coefficient of gross traction.
4.16 traction ratio, net [n=NT/Wd]: The ratio of net traction to dynamic
load. Net traction ratio is the preferred term; also called coefficient of net
traction.
4.17 tractive efficiency [TE=NTV/(T)]: The ratio of output power to
input power for a traction device.
4.18 travel ratio: The ratio of the distance advanced per revolution of
the traction device under operating conditions, to distance advanced per
revolution under the specified zero condition. Travel ratio is the preferred
term; also called velocity ratio.
4.19 travel reduction [s] One minus travel ratio. The magnitude
depends on the specified zero condition. Travel reduction is the preferred
term; slip and travel reduction are sometimes used synonymously and
are often expressed in percent. See OECD Code 1, Standard Code for
the Official Testing of Agricultural and Forestry Tractor Performance.
4.20 zero condition: The condition used to specify rolling radius. Four
possible conditions are common:
a self propelled condition on a nondeforming surface
(recommended for rolling circumference data).
a self propelled condition on the test surface.
a towed condition on a nondeforming surface.
a towed condition on the test surface.
The choice of zero condition determines the travel reduction defined
for zero pull and zero torque. The zero condition used to define rolling
radius should always be stated.
5 Terminology for Traction and Transport Vehicles
5.1 alignment: State of mutual parallelism of all traction and transport
devices on a vehicle.
5.2 load, dynamic [Wd]: The total force normal to the undistrubed
supporting surface on which a vehicle is operating. (The force is the sum
of the static load and any additional forces such as load transfer to the
vehicle.)
5.3 load, static [Ws]: The total force normal to the undisturbed
supporting surface on which a vehicle is standing.
5.4 load transfer [Wt]: The change in distribution of the force normal to
the undisturbed supporting surface on which a vehicle is operating as
compared to static vehicle forces.
5.5 power, drawbar [DP=PV]: The product of drawbar pull and vehicle
velocity in the direction of travel. Also called power, vehicle output.
5.6 power, vehicle input [PVI]: The power provided to the vehicle
traction systems at some input point. The input point should be stated.
5.7 power, vehicle output [PVO]: See power, drawbar.
5.8 pull, drawbar [P]: The force in the direction of travel produced by
the vehicle at the drawbar or hitch.
5.9 traction ratio, dynamic: The ratio of drawbar pull to dynamic load
on the vehicle traction devices.
5.10 traction ratio, vehicle: The ratio of drawbar pull to total dynamic
load.
5.11 power delivery efficiency [PDE=PVO/PVI]: The ratio of drawbar
power (vehicle output power) to vehicle input power.
5.12 vehicle zero condition: A vehicle supplied with sufficient input
torque to propel it across an operating surface while delivering zero
2 ANSIASAE S296.5 DEC2003 R2009
drawbar pull (individual devices on the vehicle may not be at zero net
traction, but the sum of all devices will be at zero).
5.13 ridging or berming: Result of vehicle operations in which soil
ridges are formed from lateral forces applied to the soil surface, such
as during tight turns or on side slopes.
5.14 rutting: Result of vehicle operations where significant sinkage
occurs and channels form in the soil.
6 Terminology for rubber and steel track traction
devices
6.1 alignment: State of mutual parallelism of the elements of an
undercarriage i.e. drive wheel, idlers, and bogies.
6.2 angle of approach: The angle between the supporting surface and
that section of track forward of the foremost load or carrying element.
6.3 angle of departure: The angle between the supporting surface and
that section of track rearward of the rearmost load carrying element.
6.4 roller, bogie wheel or midwheel: Small, non-powered wheel
located on the ground-engaging part of a track.
6.5 chordal action: The segmented bending action of a linked or hinged
entity as it approximates a smooth arc.
6.6 drive, friction: A system where the power is transmitted from the
drive wheel to the track by friction.
6.7 drive lugs: A series of lugs on the undercarriage-facing side of a
rubber track that positively engage the drive wheel. Can also act as guide
lugs.
6.8 drive, positive: A system where the power is transmitted from the
drive wheel or sprocket to the track by mechanical engagement.
6.9 drive wheel, drive sprocket, or drive pulley: The driving
component of a track undercarriage. It transmits power from the drive
axle(s) into the track.
6.10 flat length or circumferential length: The length (circumference)
of a track at the neutral axis. It equals the length of a track if it were cut
and laid out flat.
6.11 friction drive: See drive, friction.
6.12 grouser or tread lug: The portion of a track that extends into the
soil for the purpose of developing traction. Grouser is generally
associated with steel track systems. Lug is generally associated with
rubber track systems. See figure 2.
6.13 grouser or trend lug angle: The angle between the centerline of
the grouser or lug and the normal to the circumferential centerline of the
track. Grouser angle is typically zero. See figure 2.
6.14 grouser or tread lug height: The perpendicular distance from the
track shoe to the tip of the grouser, or perpendicular distance from the
track undertread fact to the lug face. See figure 2, section A-A.
6.15 grouser or tread lug length: The distance measured along the
grouser centerline from end to end along the longitudinal dimension. See
figure 2.
6.16 grouser or tread lug spacing or pitch: The distance between
corresponding points on adjacent grousers or lugs in the direction of
track circumferential centerline when the track surface is in the same
plane. See figure 2.
6.17 guide lugs or guide blocks: A series of lugs or blocks located on
the undercarriage-facing side of a rubber track that prevent detracking.
6.18 idler: A non-driven wheel in a track system.
6.19 inside length: The length (circumference) of a track at the
undercarriage-facing surface.
6.20 net-to-gross area ratio: The ratio of net surface area of the
grouser or lug faces in contact with the ground to gross contact area.
6.21 nominal ground contact length: The longitudinal distance
between centers of foremost and rearmost wheels, sprockets, bogies, or
idlers that carry vehicle vertical load.
ASABE STANDARDS 2009
 Figure 2 Lug and tread diagram
6.22 gross contact area: The product of track width and nominal
ground contact length.
6.23 positive drive: See drive, positive.
6.24 rolling radius, track: The distance advanced per revolution of the
drive axle divided by 2 under the specified zero condition (see 4.20 for
possible zero conditions). The zero condition used to define rolling radius
should always be stated.
6.25 nominal track tension: Track tension present with the machine at
rest and with zero axle torque.
6.26 track: A band whose exterior surface is designed for ground
engagement and whose interior surface is designed for undercarriage
engagement. May be constructed primarily of steel, rubber or other
materials. Rubber tracks are sometimes referred to as belts.
6.27 track width: The overall width of an individual track.
6.28 track tension: The total tensile force supported by a given span of
track.
6.29 tracking: The ability of a track to remain engaged with its guiding
system.
6.30 undertread face: The outermost surface of a rubber track where
no lugs are located.
7 Terminology for tractor tires and rims
7.1 aspect ratio: The ratio of tire section height to section width.
7.2 belt: The plies of cord material under the tread area of a tire having
the cords nearly parallel, or diagonal, to the centerline of the tire. These
cords do not tie into the tire beads but furnish circumferential strength for
the tire.
7.3 bias-ply tire: A tire in which the cords of the body plies run
diagonally from bead to bead.
7.4 breaker plies: Plies of cord material, in bias-ply tires, that do not tie
into the beads.
7.5 deflection, percent tire: Tire deflection divided by the portion of the
tire section height beyond the rim flange, expressed as a percentage.
7.6 deflection, tire [=(OD/2)-(SLR)]: The difference between unloaded
and loaded section heights of a tire at a given load and inflation pressure.
7.7 end-of-lug clearance: The distance from the trailing side of a lug to
the end of the lug that follows (see figure 2).
ASABE STANDARDS 2009 ANSIASAE S296.5 DEC2003 R2009
7.8 inflation pressure: For air-filled tires, it is the gauge pressure
measured with the valve in any position. For tires containing liquid, it is
the gauge pressure measured with an air-water gauge and with the valve
in the bottom of the tire.
7.9 low section height tire: A tire with an aspect ratio less than 0.75.
Also called low profile tire.
7.10 lug angle: The average angle between the centerline of the lug
face and the normal to the circumferential centerline of the tire (see figure
2).
7.11 lug base: The projected thickness of width of the lug at the points
where the projected planes of the leading and trailing sides meet the
projected undertread face (see figure 2, sec. A-A).
7.12 lug bracing angle (for the leading or trailing side of the lug):
The angle the lug side makes with a normal line projected from the
curved surface defining the undertread face through the edge of the lug
face (see figure 2, sec. A-A).
7.13 lug face: The outermost surface of a lug (see figure 2, sec. A-A).
7.14 lug fillet: The curved section which blends the lug sides into the
undertread face (see figure 2, sec. A-A).
7.15 lug height: The distance measured from the undertread face to the
lug face (see figure 2, sec. A-A). Also known as tread depth.
7.16 lug length: The distance measured from end to end along the
centerline of the lug face (see figure 2).
7.17 lug pitch: Center-to-center circumferential spacing of similar lugs
on one side of the centerline of the tire as measured at the lug face (see
figure 2).
7.18 lug side: The lug surface extending between the undertread face
and the lug face (see figure 2, sec. A-A).
7.19 lug spacing, circumferential: The distance from the leading side
of a lug to the trailing side of the lug ahead of it, measured parallel to the
centerline of the tire at the lug face (see figure 2).
7.20 lug spacing, perpendicular: The perpendicular distance from the
leading side of a lug to the trailing side of the lug ahead, measured at the
lug face (see figure 2, sec. A-A).
7.21 lug width: The width of the lug face as measured perpendicular to
the centerline of the lug face (see figure 2, sec. A-A).
3
 Figure 3 Tire and Rim Dimensions
7.22 Net-to-gross ratio: The ratio of net surface area of the lug faces in
contact with the ground to the gross surface area of the total footprint.
7.23 overall diameter [OD]: The tire circumference divided by .
Circumference is measured over the lugs in the center plane with the tire
mounted on its recommended rim and inflated to the maximum rated
inflation pressure in an unloaded condition following a 24-hour waiting
period (see figure 3).
7.24 overall width: The undeflected width of a new tire, including
growth resulting from inflation for 24 hours, and including protective side
ribs and decorations (see figure 3).
7.25 ply rating: A bias-ply tire identification noting maximum
recommended load in a specific type service. It is an index of tire
strength and does not necessarily represent the number of cord plies in
the tire.
7.26 radial-ply tire: A tire in which the cords of the body plies run
substantially in the radial direction from bead to bead.
7.27 rim diameter: The nominal diameter at the intersection of the bead
seat and vertical portion of the rim flange (see figure 3).
7.28 rolling circumference: The distance advanced per revolution of
the wheel under the specified zero condition (see 4.20 for possible zero
conditions). The zero condition used should always be stated.
7.29 rolling radius [r0]: The distance advanced per revolution of the
wheel divided by 2 under the specific zero condition (see 4.20 for
possible zero conditions). The zero condition used should always be
stated.
7.30 section height [H]: The height of a new tire, including normal
growth caused by inflation following a 24 hour waiting period, measured
from the rim diameter to the point of maximum radius, on the lug face
(see figure 3).
4 ANSIASAE S296.5 DEC2003 R2009
7.31 section width: The undeflected width of a new tire, including
normal growth caused by inflation following a 24 hour waiting period and
including normal side walls, but excluding protective side ribs, bars, and
decorations (see figure 3).
7.32 static loaded radius (SLR): The distance from the axle center to
the supporting surface for a tire mounted on an approved rim and
carrying a load at a specific inflation pressure.
7.33 static loaded radius, rated: The distance from the center of the
axle to the supporting surface for a tire mounted on an approved rim and
carrying the recommended load after being inflated to the corresponding
recommended inflation pressure for 24 hours, but without running time on
the tire.2)
7.34 tangential pull value: Maximum horizontal pull that the tire can
continously withstand, excluding momentary and occasional peak loads
(a durability rating).
7.35 tread arc width: The arc length from shoulder to shoulder (see
figure 3).
7.36 tread radius: The radius of curvature of the lug faces measured at
right angles to the center plane of the tire with the tire mounted on an
approved rim after being inflated to the recommended pressure for 24
hours, but without running time on the tire.
7.37 tread width: The chord distance from shoulder to shoulder (see
figure 3).
7.38 undertread face: The outermost surface of the rubber on the
carcass where no lugs are located (see figure 2, sec A-A).
2)
This is the SLR value published by tire manufacturers.
ASABE STANDARDS 2009