Axle for tractor - uses brake lining with temperature dependent coefficient of friction selectively to lock differential

摘要

The axle for a tractor comprises a central casing (10) housing a differential which drives the wheels via two laterally extending drive shafts. The wheels incorporate brake drums which contain carbon fibre linings having a coefficient of friction which rises with temp. When one wheel slips, the brakes are lightly applied causing the linings in the rotating wheel drum to heat up so that the wheel eventually locks and all the power is transferred to the opposite wheel.