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| Illustration 1 | g00759831 |
(1) Input Shaft (2) Shaft (3) Planetary Gear (4) Housing (5) Clutch Pack (6) Piston (7) Rotating Housing (8) Shaft (9) Shaft (10) Gear (11) Gear (12) Sun Gear (13) Planetary Gear (14) Sun Gear (15) Hub | |
The interaxle differential transmits drive to the front and rear axles at equal speeds when the machine is travelling straight. The interaxle differential also transmits drive to the front and rear axles at different speeds when the machine is turning. Torque input is maintained at each axle throughout each operation. The interaxle differential is equipped with a lockup clutch. The lockup clutch is activated by a floor mounted switch. The lockup clutch will neutralize normal interaxle differential operation and transfer drive to all three axles regardless of the ground conditions or the rolling resistance at each wheel.
The interaxle differential consists of an input shaft (1) which is connected to differential housing (4). Differential housing (4) contains two pairs of three evenly spaced shafts (2). The shafts are used to support two planetary gear sets (3) and (13). Both planetary gear sets are in constant mesh with each other and each of the gears is free to rotate around shafts (2) .
Planetary gear set (3) is in constant mesh with sun gear (14) which is installed onto shaft (9) for the output drive to the tractor. Planetary gear set (13) is in constant mesh with sun gear (12) which is installed onto shaft (8) for the output drive to the trailer.
When the machine is moving in a straight direction with equal ground resistance at each wheel the differential housing (4), planetary gears (3) and planetary gears (13) rotate as a unit.
When the machine is turning, the turning radius changes at the front wheels and at the rear wheels. Planetary gears (3) and (13) rotate around shafts (2) as sun gear (12) for the drive to the trailer slows down.
If wheel spin occurs at the front of the machine, drive to the center axle and drive to the rear axle would be reduced to a degree that would stop the machine. In this event, engaging the interaxle differential lock would restore drive to all axles. The differential effect is cancelled by locking the differential housing to the output shafts.
When the operator engages the differential lock, oil pressure is transmitted by the solenoid and relief valve to rotating housing (7). The oil pressure inside rotating housing (7) acts on piston (6) which forces the piston against clutch pack (5). Hub (15) and housing (4) are then connected. Both planetary gear sets and both sun gears are locked in position. The differential effect is cancelled. Shaft (8) and shaft (9) will rotate at the same speed.
When the operator disengages the differential lock, oil pressure is relieved at piston (6). This allows clutch pack (5) to disengage. Housing (4) and hub (15) are disconnected and the interaxle differential effect is restored.