Heavy equipment is a machine that has a function to carry out soil construction or move building materials. One type of heavy equipment that is most often used is the bulldozer.
Bulldozers are tractor-type construction equipment that uses a chain and is equipped with a front blade. Serves to level the ground because it has a strong thrust power.
As for the steering system itself, it is a system that works in two ways, here are two types of steering system on a bulldozer:
Differential steering, is a system that requires additional components in the form of a pump and hydraulic motor, so that one track can rotate quickly while the other is at a slow rotation which increases maneuverability.
Clutch steering system, where this component works by using a clutch to cut off the power of one track while the other tracks keep moving.
As for its use, the bulldozer has several working mechanisms, each of which has an interrelated role. The following is an explanation of the working mechanism of the bulldozer steering system based on its components:
Bulldozer Steering System Mechanism
1. Outer Drum
The first part is called the outer drum, another name for this outer drum is the brake drum. Which is glued to the flange and forwarded to the pinion on the final drive.
This section has a function as a place to place the disc. According to the picture above, the location between the outer drum and disc is close to each other.
There is a sign when there is damage to the outer drum, usually indicated by the appearance of the error code E04, and this results in the outer drum not working properly.
What can be done is to fix and prevent this problem from recurring by carrying out operation and maintenance properly.
2. Disc
The disc has a function as a friction plate and a place for the spline inner drum. This section is made of steel covered with bronze. The location between the disc and the plate is close to each other.
If this part is damaged, it will be a problem for the friction plate and spline inner drum, because these two parts require the disc to function properly.
3. Plate
The plate has the same function as the disc, which is as a friction plate and a holder for the spline outer drum. The plate is characterized by a material that is resistant to high temperatures and is made of stainless steel. If this section is damaged problems will occur for the function of the spline outer drum.
4. Inner Drum
The inner drum has a role as a cylinder. In addition, it is also a place for the plate. The cylinder is the main component that is driven by a hydraulic system.
The way the inner drum works is that the engine rotation is channeled to the pump into fluid energy. This part is bolted with a bevel gear shaft hub and connected to the spline bevel gear shaft. If this part is damaged there will be a problem in the cylinder.
5. Bolt
The bolt is responsible for reducing the damage to the bulldozer operation. The shape of this bolt is located on top of the piston.
Damage to the bolt can result from the bolt that is not tight enough. The solution is to tighten the loose bolt.
6. Piston
The piston has a function for removal of the combustion force. This type of damage to the piston can be caused by scratches on the surface that cause oil to enter. If this part is damaged, it will have an impact on the displacement of the combustion force.
7. Piston Seal
The next part is the piston seal which has a function to hold the pressure on the rod cylinder so that the track is in optimal condition for unit operation.
Damage to the pistons can result in the absence of pressure on the cylinder rods. It can cause the unit to not work optimally.
8. Spacer
The spacers can serve as the distance between the wheel hubs and the rims. This section has an important role in the working mechanism of the bulldozer steering system.
When the spacer is damaged, it can be identified by the inconspicuous distance between the wheel hub and the rim, so repairs must be carried out immediately.
9. Spring Small
Spring small serves as a source of strength to compress the array of discs directly on a small scale. As for the problem of damage to the spring small, it can lead to weakness in pressing the disc arrangement.
10. Spring Large
Beside spring small, there is also spring large. Its function is almost the same but on a larger scale.
Signs of damage to the spring large can result in greater weakness in the disc arrangement.
11. Pressure Plate
The next part is the pressure plate, where this section has a function to push the disc directly. The way it works is this piston and pressure plate work simultaneously at the same time.
A defect mark in this section will prevent the disc from pushing directly.
12. Bolt
The bolt is responsible for reducing the damage to the bulldozer operation. The shape of this bolt is located on top of the piston.
Damage to the bolt can result from the bolt that is not tight enough. The solution is to tighten the loose bolt.
13. Bevel Gear Shaft Hub
This section has a function as a receiver for the rotation of the gear where the rotation received comes from the motor. The damage in this section makes the component rotation disturbed and unable to work with maximum results.
14. Bevel Gear Shaft
Similar to the bevel gear shaft hub, this section has the function of changing the horizontal rotation coming from the transmission into transverse rotation which is forwarded to the steering clutch so that the unit can move.
If this part is damaged it will cause rotation problems and the steering clutch cannot move as usual.
Those are some explanations of functions, working mechanisms and signs when damage occurs to the bulldozer steering system. Besides knowing about the steering system, you also need to know the type of bulldozers and bulldozers components before using it.