MECHANICAL LEAD CALCULATOR
To fully harness your vehicle’s power, that power must be effectively transferred to the ground.
Doing so requires a thorough understanding of the importance of the mechanical ratio in four-wheel-drive vehicles.
When selecting tires—and during daily use—it is crucial to pay close attention to the relationship between the rolling circumferences of the front and rear wheels, especially when altering operating parameters such as pressure, wear, and load.
The Mechanical Ratio is typically provided by the tractor manufacturer and, on four-wheel drive vehicles, defines the ratio between the axles, or the number of revolutions the front tire makes relative to the larger rear tire.
However, this is not sufficient to achieve optimal traction.
With this type of machinery, the front axle must slightly act as a pulling force for the rear axle during four-wheel drive operations.
This difference in traction is called MECHANICAL LEAD.
The MECHANICAL LEAD values must be between 0.5% and 5%.
If the lead exceeds 5%, it means the rear axle is rotating too slowly in comparison to the front axle; consequently, the rear axle is holding back the front axle.
In both cases, the following will occur:
– Vehicle handling issues;
– High noise levels;
– Tire slippage;
– Excessive fuel and tire consumption;
– Potential failure of drivetrain components.
If, on the other hand, the MECHANICAL LEAD is less than 0.5%, the front axle is rotating too slowly in comparison to the rear axle.