The interlock drive system generates traction by penetrating narrow articulated spikes into the ground and by using the strength of the deeper soil layers to resist horizontal draft forces. The system promises good tractive performance in low gravity environments where tires generate little traction due to low vehicle weight. Possible applications include heavy-duty vehicles for civil engineering tasks like earthmoving or mining excavation. Safe vehicle operation in complex terrain geometry requires lateral vehicle stability to prevent vehicle rollover. Good lateral stability is a particular requirement for excavation and piling operations where the margins of safety define the terrain geometry that can be worked in, and it is a major constraint in operational planning. An earthmoving vehicle that can operate at a high roll angle reduces the need to maintain ramps in pits and on piles and can shorten and simplify the paths for individual maneuvers. Here we report on several field trials on the lateral stability of an earthmoving vehicle that uses the interlock drive systems. We find that the vehicle can work well at roll angles of up to 20{\deg}, but that it needs further improvement if work at roll angles of 30{\deg} or more is required.

翻译：互锁驱动系统通过将狭窄的铰接式履刺穿透地面，并利用深层土壤强度来抵抗水平牵引力，从而产生牵引力。该系统在低重力环境下有望表现出良好的牵引性能，因为此类环境中车辆重量轻导致轮胎牵引力不足。其潜在应用包括用于土木工程（如土方搬运或采矿挖掘）的重型车辆。在复杂地形中安全操作车辆需要侧向稳定性以防止车辆侧翻。良好的侧向稳定性是挖掘和打桩作业中的特殊要求，因为安全裕度决定了可作业的地形几何形状，这也是操作规划中的主要约束条件。能够在高侧倾角下工作的土方车辆可减少在矿坑和料堆中维护坡道的需求，并缩短和简化各次操作的路径。本文报告了对采用互锁驱动系统的土方车辆进行侧向稳定性实地试验的结果。我们发现，该车辆在侧倾角达20°时能良好工作，但若需在30°及以上侧倾角下作业，则需进一步改进。