University of Technology

Building & Construction Department

Construction Engineering Management

Advanced Construction Management

Methods
Rimpull
Supervised By

Prepared by
Ali Hassan
2017-2018

1
Rim pull
Rim pull is a term that is used to designate the tractive force between the tires of a machines driving
wheels and the surface on which they travel. If the coefficient of traction is sufficiently high there will
be no tire slipping , in which case maximum rim pull is a function of the power of the engine and the
gear ratios between the engine and the driving wheels. If the driving wheels slip on the supporting
surface , the maximum effective rim pull will be equal to the total pressure the tire exert on the surface
multiplied by the coefficient of traction.

Rim pull is expressed in pounds.

Rim pull can be determined from the equation :-

𝟑𝟕𝟓∗𝒉𝒑∗𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚
Rim pull = (𝑰𝒃)
𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒆𝒅

 The efficiency of most tractors and trucks will range from 0.80 to 0.85 .
 Recommends using 0.85 when the efficiency is not known .

Coefficient of traction :- is the factor that determines the maximum possible tractive force between
the powered running gear of a machine and the surface on which it travels.

Example- assuming that the coefficient of traction is sufficient such that the machines total power can
be developed , calculate the rim pull of a pneumatic-tired truck with a 140-hp engine .the tractor is
operating at a speed of 3.3 mph in the first gear. Use the SAE recommended efficiency .

𝟑𝟕𝟓∗𝟏𝟒𝟎∗𝟎.𝟖𝟓
Rim pull = = 𝟏𝟑𝟓𝟐𝟑 𝑰𝒃
𝟑.𝟑

In computing the pull that a tractor can exert on a towed load (speed the machine can attain), it is
necessary to deduct from the rim pull of the tractor the force required to overcome the total
resistance – the combination of rolling and grade.

2
Example- consider a tractor that weight 12.4 tons and whose maximum rim pull in the first gear is
13730 Ib. if it operated on a haul road with a positive slope of 2% and a rolling resistance of 100 Ib/ton,
the full 13523 Ib of rim pull will not be available for towing , as a portion will be required for
overcoming the total resistance arising from the haul condition. Given the stated conditions,the pull
available for towing a load will be ?

Maximum rim pull = 13523 Ib

Force required to overcome grade resistance = 12.4 ton *(20 Ib /ton *2%)

= 496 Ib

Force required to overcome rolling resistance = 12.4 ton * 100 Ib/ton

= 1240 Ib

Total resistance = 496 +1240 = 1736 Ib

Power available for towing a load = 13523- 1736 = 11787 Ib

Reference

Construction planning ,equipment , and methods by Robert L. Peurifoy

(seventh edition) ,page 153.