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Crawlers, Dozers, Loaders & Backhoes Discussion Forum

Basic Steering Operation of a dozer

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marvin

01-21-2004 11:13:55




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I have never gotten into the steering mechanism of a dozer and was wondering how it functioned and why the steering clutches? First of all are they really clutches in that they remove power from one side or are they brakes that force the power to be transmitted to the other side through the differential just like you do with a tractor when you use the brakes independently of each other? If they are clutches, then does ther not also need to be a brake so that power will be transmitted to the other side other wise it would be like a tractor with one wheel jacked up and spinning. It will not go anywhere? How are the brakes on the dozer different from the steering clutches. I have been on some smaller dozers that only had the brake pedals to steer with and the no clutch levers (JD 450). Do the smaller dozers just use the brakes to steer and the larger ones have steering clutches. The reason for all of this is that I am thinking of building a homemade dozer, very small (10 HP or less) to have fun around the property and for a project for my son and I to work on. SO how does the steering really work?

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JD dozer mike

01-22-2004 20:11:02




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 Re: Basic Steering Operation of a dozer in reply to marvin, 01-21-2004 11:13:55  
PS: have you thought about how you are gonna make the tracks?????



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marvin

01-23-2004 09:22:18




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 Re: Re: Basic Steering Operation of a dozer in reply to JD dozer mike, 01-22-2004 20:11:02  
Mike; I was planning on getting large sprockets and heavy conveyor chain like they use in sawmills and then get plate steel and bar stock to build the pads. I would still need to come up with some rollers for support in the center and top. In your other comment you told of someone that used a differential and then made the comment about not having both tracks pulling. So that is why they have the clutches on a dozer. One solution would be to put hydraulic motors on each axle with a plantetary gear set. Then you could just use hyralic valves for steering. Would you still need brakes then?

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JD dozer mike

01-22-2004 20:10:10




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 Re: Basic Steering Operation of a dozer in reply to marvin, 01-21-2004 11:13:55  
i saw a homemade small dozer about 10 hp. they usead a lawnmower rearend and put chain sprockets on the ends of axles. mounted brakes on each axle too. they used the differential , so they didnt have 2 tracks driving at the same time. but i looked like it worked for pulling a lawn kart or small fire wood.



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Bob/Ont

01-21-2004 12:52:39




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 Re: Basic Steering Operation of a dozer in reply to marvin, 01-21-2004 11:13:55  
There are a few different types Marvin. Most have clutches and brakes on each side and a solid bevelgear shaft driving the clutches, no diff. Some have levers for the clutch control and pedals for the brake control. Others may have only levers or only peddals. These types usually have the first part of the travel to release the clutch and the last of the travel to put on the brake. Some old IHC tractors used a set of planetaries some times two on each side instead of clutches. They had a big brake disc that a caliper held for the planetary to drive and let go of it to not drive. The also had a brake on each side too. The Struck mini dozed kit uses V belts you tension to drive on each side for F & R you might want to build something like that. Later Bob

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Gary Mckenzie

01-21-2004 12:50:26




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 Re: Basic Steering Operation of a dozer in reply to marvin, 01-21-2004 11:13:55  
Most older dozers use a clutch and brake system for each track... The clutch disengages power to the track for gradual turns, applying the brake causes a sharper turn. This system works because there is no differential between the tracks. Some newer ones use one lever or pedal for both functions (JD 450). The first part of lever or pedal travel releases the clutch, moving it further applies the brake. Another system is the controlled differential, it uses a brake on each side to cause power transfer to the opposite track thereby slowing one track down and speeding up the other. This system is widely used on military tracked vehicles, and some dozers. Oliver (Cletrac) used a controlled differential on the HG/OC-3 and maybe others. Caterpillar has also offered differential steering. Most new machines have gone to hydrostatic drive, where a variable speed hydraulic motor is used to drive each track. This system is very nice... until it breaks, then you need a fat wallet! For years I thought about building something using a simple V-belt clutch arrangement for each side, but after many headache I bought an OC-3. Nothing like having your toy and preserving history to boot!

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