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Lets put some numbers to it so we can check whats happening; 1] Diameter of Ring Gear = 1 foot, 2] Diameter of Drive Wheels = 4 feet, 3] Torque on Axle = 20,000 ft-lb.
,,,,In order to impart that torque to the axle the ring gear face must be pushed downward by the pinion with a force of 40K#. There is the potential for this force, but since we have not applied a load the tractor just glides forward in lo gear. No force since theres no opposition to movement. ... Now we stop and apply a resistance to tractor motion. We apply this resistance to the end of a rigidly fixed lever extending straight down to the ground from the tractor body directly below the axle. The distance from the end of the lever up to the axle is 2 feet - the wheel radius. The tether runs straight back, horizontal and at ground level.
,,,,Now as the tractor moves incrementally the force and torque builds until 20K ft-lb is being imparted to the ring gear ... and consequently the axle and onward to the wheel. Since the wheel has 2' radius the rearward force it delivers to the ground is 10,000#. The tractor tries to move forward, but the tether resists that force with 10K# pulling back. The lever it acts on is 2 feet long so the 10K# force on it produces a torque reacting into the tractor body of 20,000 ft-lb around the axle. This torque acting at the point of pinion/ring gear drive - 6" from the axle center - puts a downforce on the pinion of 40,000 lb.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,ANY other set of numbers would produce the same balanced result. Its the way it works.
larry