Caterpillar Inc.

David J Balzer

Darryl J Brincks

Kent D Smith

Robert L Isaia

Daniel J Schartman

Jerrold R Asal

It is desirable in many applications to have a bulldozer assembly that can be angled and/or tilted without having interference between elements of the bulldozer assembly and the machine on which it is mounted. In the subject arrangement, a bulldozer assembly has a blade connected to a U-shaped frame through a universal connector. The blade is angled by a pair of angle cylinders connected between the U-shaped frame and a pair of spaced apart angle cylinder brackets located on the blade. The universal connector is connected to the blade generally midway between the pair of spaced apart angled cylinder brackets and generally aligned therewith. The pitch of the blade is maintained at a preselected position by a pitch control mechanism and mechanically adjusted by the pitch control mechanism. Since the pair of spaced apart angle cylinder brackets and the universal connecting joint bracket are in general transverse alignment and the universal connecting bracket is located generally midway therebetween, any angling and/or tilting of the blade permits the pair of angle cylinders to remain generally along their neutral axis. The subject arrangement provides freedom of angling and tilting of the blade without interference between elements of the bulldozer assembly and the machine.

Bulldozer assembly with angle, tilt and pitch control

Links are useful for supporting and positioning spaced apart housing relative to each other. To allow for tolerance stackup the length of the link needs to be adjustable and still be strong enough to withstand high forces. The subject adjustable link includes a first end portion removably attached to a axle structure and a second end portion attached to a ripper structure. The second end portion includes an eccentric cam which is rotatable to adjust the length of the link. When the cam is properly adjusted it is moved into contact with a locking plate on the ripper structure to prevent rotation. A spacer washer is positioned between the cam and the ripper structure to prevent disengagement of the cam from the ripper structure. This arrangement of components provides for adjusting the length of a link and provides a locking structure which will withstand the high forces in the structure.

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

David J Balzer