Improving the Steyr Tractor Hitch System Using Spring Loaded U-bolt

The Side-way swings of the Steyr tractor lift system in operation has contributed to failures of some parts such as the stabilizer bracket and the axle to which it is attached. These failures often result in delays of operations and sometimes could even lead to a complete destruction of the axle. This work is aimed at reducing the impact stress on the stabilizer bracket and thereby extending its lifespan and that of the axle. A spring loaded U-bolt was designed, constructed and incorporated in the hitch system to serve as a stress reducer. The test results showed that the spring loaded U-bolt reduced the impact stress approximately by ten times making the design effective.

Autorentext

Samuel Sule graduated from The University of Agriculture Krakow, Poland with M.sc (Agric. Eng) in 1984 and later obtained a Ph.D (Prod. Eng) in 2007 from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi-Nigeria. He joined the Services of The Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi-Nigeria in 1987 as Lect II and rose to the highest rank of Chief Lect. in 1999.