Testing Load Cart Redesign Final Design Report
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Date
2018-12-05
Authors
Krisko, Cole
Krisko, Carson
Davis, Ethan
Grossart, Ethan
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Abstract
This report summarizes the project assigned to our team by the Prairie Agriculture Machinery Institute (PAMI), describes the final design, and includes all project deliverables. The project goal is to redesign a testing load cart that is currently used to measure loads applied to a towing machine by an implement. The current load cart has a few major flaws: the load cart wheels cannot track the drawbar of the towing machine through turns, the load cart does not accommodate all necessary hitch categories, and installation and removal of the load cell is time consuming and puts significant strain on the employees. The main client needs include compatibility with category 3-5 hitches on the front and rear hitch as per ASABE standards, height adjustability of the load cart, the implementation of a PowerPin hitch and two swivel castor wheels, and compatibility with three different load cells. The load cart must be transportable and use standard off-the-shelf materials and parts. The deliverables for the project are Computer Automated Design (CAD) models, preliminary Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of the load cart, a bill of materials, and cost analysis. Design of the load cart satisfies all needs outlined by the client. The swivel casters have been integrated with and added locking mechanism to allow the load cart to reverse without the wheels interfering with the frame. The casters mount to a horizontal support that extends outside of the frame to allow the casters to rotate 45 degrees. Two weld-on trailer jacks are mounted between the frame and the horizontal support to adjust the height of the rear hitch from 13 to 25 inches. PTFE sheets are used in the rear of the load cart to support a PowerPin hitch while acting as a bearing to mitigate the affect of hitch movement on load cell measurements. The load cell connects the rear hitch to the front of the frame with a vertical installation process to improve operator ergonomics. Once installed vertically, screw adjusters align the load cell connectors with the load cart brackets before the load cell is pinned into place for ease of installation...