Traction: summary

["Jerry FIELDS" <Jerry.Fields@ccmail.adp.wisc.edu>]

     I had no idea this thread would take on such a life of it's own. :)
     
     There have been 2 definitions of "traction" presented; 1 theoretical 
     and 1 practical. Glen Powell represents the practical viewpoint, I 
     have presented the theoretical as an alternate view. 
     
     In the practical view, locked differentials increase traction by 
     controlling, or minimizing, factors that cause power to be wasted on 
     spinning wheels: wheel hop, weight transfer, and other factors. By 
     forcing better power distribution, more power gets transfered to the 
     road surface, with the attendent increase in performance.
     
     In the theoretical view, traction is a function of ideal surface / 
     tire interaction, which results in a finite amount of "traction" 
     available. This amount is not increased by the use of a locked 
     differential; the amount of deviance from the ideal is less with a 
     locked diff than an open diff under some situations. 
     
     My original post was not to side with either definition, as they 
     coexist, normally, without problems. I did want to point out the 
     subtle, but real, differences that exist between the two, just as food 
     for thought and as a discussion topic. 
     
     Jerry Fields