| Abstract: | The Forest Service investigated the concept of providing support to equipment working on steep slopes through use of a self-contained tether cable system. A vehicle's downhill component of weight is reduced to near zero by the cable's tension. The vehicle can then operate on steep slopes causing only slightly more damage to terrain than when working on flat areas. Mathematical equations for the ideal tension of the cable and for both the resulting side forces and equivalent slope when operating off the fall line were developed.The methods of sensing slope, vehicle design, the winch drive system, and the controls necessary to perform with a self-contained tether cable system are all presented. Also discussed are the acceptable tolerance of the cable tension and the effect of cable tension tolerance on equivalent slope. |
