The drive wheel propels vehicles and machines, with its location varying depending on the type of vehicle. In racing, a locked differential or spool can improve speed. Four-wheel drive vehicles have different configurations for power distribution. Locomotives use a diesel power plant and electric traction motor to control the drive wheel. Push locomotives can improve fuel economy by controlling slack in the train.
The drive wheel is the wheel of a vehicle or machine that is responsible for propelling the machine. On vehicles with positive drive axles, the drive wheel is both wheels on the drive axle. On most vehicles built before 1986 around the world, the steering wheel is located at the front of the vehicle. On rear wheel drive vehicles, the drive wheel is on the right side of the rear axle. On most heavy-duty trucks, the drive wheel is located on the first axle at the rear of the truck. On trucks with a single axle in the rear, the wheel on the right side receives power under normal driving conditions.
In most performance and racing applications, the vehicle will use either a locked or coil-over rear differential. The locked differential and spool are devices that lock both sides of the driveshaft. This makes it possible for both drive wheels to have traction under hard acceleration. This is done in an attempt to gain the most speed by eliminating rim slip found in a stock or open production diff.
On most four-wheel drive vehicles, the drive wheel is on the rear axle unless the vehicle has its transfer case locked in four-wheel drive mode. In most cases, four-wheel drive is actually two wheels with one power front and one rear receiving power to propel the vehicle. On extreme off-road vehicles, both the front and rear axles are locked, sending power to all four tires. This is a true four wheel drive vehicle.
In the use of locomotives, the first locomotive in a locomotive chain usually controls the sprocket. Power is supplied to the electric traction motor by the generator mounted behind the diesel power plant on the locomotive. The electric drive wheel is controlled by the engineer who controls the amount of power directed to the traction motor. On modern locomotives the train can be run on a diesel at the front and rear of the train. The push locomotive is a diesel locomotive located at the rear of the train. The engineer in the front diesel controls the diesel pusher by remote control. The purpose is to eliminate the typical slack in a train. By controlling the slack, or amount of stretch, of the car’s hitch knuckles, the train can operate with better fuel economy. By placing the drive wheel at both ends of the train, it is pulled and pushed.
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