A motor grader has improved support structure for mounting the grader blade on the circle blade support arms and for controlling blade tilt. A bearing housing structure consists of a transverse structural member with integral upright bearing housings at its two ends, is slightly shorter than the space between the support arms, and is carried on pivots at the lower ends of the arms with facing bearings so the bearing housing structure reinforces the arms against lateral deflection. The grader blade support rails extend through upper and lower jaws in the bearing housings with the weight of the blade carried in bearing plates in the upper jaws and the lower rail guided between parallel upright bearing plates in the lower jaw which is otherwise free of contact with the lower jaw. Blade tilt is controlled by a single hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted on the circle midway between the arms with its piston rod pivotally connected to the transverse structural member.
Work Vehicle And Ring Gear Bearing Arrangement Therefor
Joel M. Beckham - Decatur IL Gene B. Easterling - Decatur IL Reginald K. Ringel - Decatur IL Egon E. Wolff - Forsythe IL
Assignee:
Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL
International Classification:
E02F 376
US Classification:
172781
Abstract:
A ring gear bearing arrangement for motorgraders and method for assembling the vehicle with a ring gear that is rotatably supported by a frame of the vehicle through contact only with organic plastic bearing strips which maintain the ring gear against movement in any direction other than rotationally about the ring gear axis.
Motor Grader Or The Like With Hydraulic Control System For Circle Gear
Carroll R. Cole - Decatur IL Joseph E. Dezelan - Western Springs IL Gene B. Easterling - Decatur IL
Assignee:
Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL
International Classification:
E02F 376
US Classification:
172796
Abstract:
A motor grader including a main frame mounted on steerable wheels, a drawbar frame mounted on the main frame, a working implement carried by a circle gear rotatably mounted on the drawbar frame and a hydraulic control circuit is described. An improvement in the control of the working implement is disclosed in which continuous downward force is exerted on the circle gear at all times during operation by hydraulic rams. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described wherein the force is exerted by hydraulic means including wear surfaces in contact with the circle gear and wherein the hydraulic control circuit is adapted to provide automatic operation.
Work Vehicle And Ring Bearing Arrangement Therefor
Joel M. Beckham - Decatur IL Gene B. Easterling - Decatur IL Reginald K. Ringel - Decatur IL Egon E. Wolff - Forsythe IL
Assignee:
Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL
International Classification:
E02F 376
US Classification:
172781
Abstract:
A work vehicle and method for assembling the vehicle with a ring gear that is rotatably supported by a frame of the vehicle through contact only with bearing strips which maintain the ring gear against movement in any direction other than rotationally about the ring gear axis. The bearing strips may be made of organic plastic or metal.
Circle Mounting And Circle Assembly For A Motor Grader
Robert A. Atherton - Blue Grass IA Donald R. Berchtold - Decatur IL Gene B. Easterling - Decatur IL
Assignee:
Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL
International Classification:
E02F 376
US Classification:
172796
Abstract:
An improved motor grader circle mounting and circle assembly has a mounting in which an annular upright wall with an outwardly extending integral top flange and a removable bottom flange form an outwardly open annular cavity. A circle structure of welded arcuate segments is rotatably mounted between the flanges and cooperates with the wall and flanges to form a close annular lubricant chamber, and a segmental internal ring gear is on the circle structure in the cavity. Renewable segmental lower and upper bearing plates are located between bearing surfaces of the circle mounting and the circle; and a lower oil sealing ring is so located as to permit removal of the bottom flange and lowering of the circle structure to replace all the bearing plates and a segmented upper oil seal without draining the lubricant chamber.
An implement mounting arrangement is disclosed which is operatively associated with a longitudinally oriented main frame of a vehicle such as a motor grader. The implement mounting arrangement includes a base frame assembly having an inner end and an outer end and universally secured at its inner end to the main frame, a pair of actuators interconnected between the main frame and the outer end of the base frame assembly for suspended raising, lowering and tilting thereof, an implement support assembly hingedly mounted on the outer end of the base frame assembly, and a pair of actuators interconnected between the base frame assembly and the implement support assembly for angling it relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle.
Motor Grader Drawbar Assembly With Fluid-Operated Cylinders For Restraining Circle Gear
Carroll R. Cole - Decatur IL Gene B. Easterling - Decatur IL
Assignee:
Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL
International Classification:
E02F 385
US Classification:
172796
Abstract:
The motor grader drawbar assembly has a blade mounted on a circle gear and a drive unit operatively connected to the circle gear to selectively rotate it and the blade. A plurality of radially mounted pistons operate against an upright wall of the circle gear to provide a brake and/or locking mechanism. The pistons, and their accompanying cylinders, are mounted in members which also underlie and support the circle gear. Thus, the vertical position of the circle gear is not affected by the braking operation. A hydraulic circuit is provided to alternately operate the drive unit and the braking operation.
Motor Grader Having Improved Guide Shoes For Circle-Mounted Implement
Gene B. Easterling - Decatur IL Joseph L. Strabala - Orinda CA
Assignee:
Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL
International Classification:
E02F 376
US Classification:
172796
Abstract:
A motor grader including a wheeled main frame and a drawbar structure attached thereto is disclosed wherein a circle-mounted working implement, such as a blade or the like, is supported on the drawbar by improved guide shoes. The improved guide shoes include surfaces in engagement with both upper and lower surfaces of the circle at all times and remotely controlled mechanical apparatus for varying the frictional forces exerted by such guide shoes on the circle, whereby undesirable effects due to wearing of the engaging surfaces in operation are reduced.
Gene Easterling (1986-1990), Lisa Grine (1976-1980), Krista Cogley (1985-1989), Scott Lightner (1976-1980), Jason Miller (1986-1990), Julie Venesky (1980-1984)