Design, static and dynamic analyses, manufacture, and evaluation of the tractor front bracket

Connecting the tractor engine to its front axle and maintaining the Wheel-Base (WB) distance of the tractor in its standard range is done using a part called the front bracket. It's part of the tractor's main chassis. This study was carried out to manufacture a new bracket due to the increase in engine power of a tractor from 37 to 52 kW. The WB distance of a tractor directly depends on its engine power. The bracket was designed in three-dimensional form by Catia software and analyzed in terms of mechanical strength by finite element method under static and dynamic loads in Abaqus software. Due to the need for high strength in this part, ductile cast iron (GGG40, yield strength: 250 MPa) was considered as its raw material. Static and dynamic analysis results showed that the maximum stress applied to the part (93.7 MPa) is lower than the yield strength of the designed part. Once the part's strength was verified, a casting mold was designed using Catia software and manufactured by aluminium casting and machining. Five initial samples were then cast and machined before being installed on sample tractors (RK704 model, maximum weight: 2635 kg) for field tests. The results of the tests indicated that the manufactured part maintained the WB distance, installation conditions, and mechanical strength and was reliable for use in producing this tractor.