Our customer is a manufacturer of agricultural tractors. Its tractors were showing premature wear on several components, especially in the suspension and linkage systems. The demands of modern farming were wearing these parts out early, and that meant higher maintenance costs and more downtime for the farmers using the machines.
Objective
The goal was to improve the durability and performance of the tractors with custom extension springs, concentrating on the components exposed to the highest stress and the harshest conditions.
Our Solution
Analysis and Consultation
We started with an analysis of how the tractors are actually used. Working alongside the customer’s engineers, we identified the specific stress points and the environmental conditions that were affecting the machinery.
Material and Design
We chose high-tensile, corrosion-resistant materials for the springs, so they can carry constant heavy loads while exposed to moisture and dirt. On a farm, corrosion is a fatigue problem as well as a cosmetic one: wet soil and fertilizer attack the wire surface, and a pitted surface is where fatigue cracks begin. The spring geometry was also reworked to spread stress more evenly, which extends the life of the spring.
Manufacturing and Testing
The extension springs were manufactured to the agreed specification and then tested, including load tests and fatigue tests, to confirm they meet the standard that agricultural machinery requires.
Results
- The suspension and linkage systems lasted longer, with fewer repairs and replacements.
- The customer reported lower maintenance costs and less machine downtime.
- End users noted that the tractors were more reliable.
Follow-Up
After delivery we stayed in contact with the customer to collect feedback from the field. The two teams plan to work together again on future tractor models.
What This Project Shows
Springs on farm machinery have to be chosen for the worst day in the field. Starting from the real operating conditions, and treating corrosion protection as part of the fatigue design, is what made the difference here.
If you build agricultural or off-road equipment and need springs that last, contact us through the contact page, or read about our custom extension springs.
