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Personal injury or death can result from limited steering control. Engaging the differential lock when the machine is moving can limit steering control. Do not engage differential lock when machine is moving at high speed because steering control will be limited. |
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Do not engage the differential lock with one wheel spinning. Reduce engine rpm, until the wheel stops spinning, before depressing the differential lock pedal. |
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| Illustration 1 | g00577414 |
Differential Lock (1) Jaw (2) Jaw (3) Springs (4) Air cylinder (5) Piston | |
When one drive wheel has poor traction, the other wheel turns freely. This action causes a loss of power which is stopped by the differential lock. This is done by sending power to both wheels through a jaw clutch. The jaw clutch allows the differential to engage while the machine is using full power at any speed. Also, the jaw clutch allows the differential to release while the machine is using full power at any speed. The jaw clutch can be engaged at any speed before the wheels start to turn freely.
The operator must keep the differential lock pedal depressed in order to keep the jaw clutches engaged. When the differential lock is engaged, both wheels rotate at the same speed. The condition of the surface has no effect on the turning speed of the wheels. Power is divided and the same amount is sent to each wheel. Loss of power is prevented by not allowing one wheel to turn freely. Releasing the switch releases the differential lock.
Air pressure is allowed to go from the differential lock valve to air cylinder (4) when the differential lock pedal is pushed down. The pressure air pushes piston (5) to the inside. The piston pushes jaw (1) to the inside. Splines connect jaw (1) to the axle shaft. Jaw (1) engages jaw (2). Splines connect jaw (2) to the differential housing. The pinions can not move in relation to the differential housing. This gives the same effect as one solid axle drive.
When the pedal is released, the pressure air to air cylinder (4) is stopped. The force of the springs push piston (5) to the outside. Jaw (1) moves to the outside and jaw (1) is not engaged with jaw (2). The springs keep the jaws from being engaged, until pressure air is sent to the air cylinder. When the differential lock is not engaged, the operation of the differential is normal. For additional information concerning the air system, refer to System Operation, "Air System and Brakes".