Investigating power hop

Posted 11 November 2010

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A final year engineer at Harper Adams University College is hoping to help farmers to maximise the potential of their machines by eliminating power hop.

Power hop is an instability found in mechanical front-wheel drive and articulated tractors and results from towing an implement on the drawbar, on cultivated soil. This causes the tractor to bounce and lose traction making it difficult for the driver to maintain control.

21-year-old Luke Ward from Evesham, chose to investigate this phenomenon due to an interest in achieving the maximum potential out of tractors and hopes that by correcting the ballast and tyre pressure he can help to eliminate it.

He said: “Many smaller machines are fitted with front suspension which eliminates power hop, whereas articulated tractors that are found in America and East Anglia don’t.

“By achieving the correct ballast and tyre pressure, farmers will be able to control power hop.”

Luke, who is studying an FdSc Agricultural Engineering degree, has been conducting a series of tests and trials in the soil hall at Harper Adams and will be comparing these results to previously conducted research.

He added: “Studying at Harper has given me foundations for the future. Doing both the maths and practical hands-on research is brilliant and will hopefully prepare me well for gaining a graduate level job.

“I would like a career in the cultivation equipment industry – selling and demonstrating machines. It’s something I really enjoy and would like to pursue in the future.”