Caterpillar Inc.

John L Bender

Richard E Livesay

Brent C Bargfrede

Chris J Stickling

Greg O Taylor

Sridhar Jaganathan

Phillip W Dawson

Accurately measuring the payload weight of dump trucks, especially off highway trucks, is important to efficient operation of most applications, such as in the mining industry. An under-loaded truck decreases efficiency in a known manner. In addition, over-loading a truck can decrease efficiency in the long run by such things as shortening truck component life due to excessive wear, such as on the drive train. The present invention seeks a more accurate payload measurement by positioning the dump body between its travel position and its dumping position. In the payload measuring position, the dump body is supported at four points, which are preferably pins equipped with shear strain gauges. After measuring the payload weight, the dump body is returned to its travel position for transport.

Dump truck with payload weight measuring system and method of using same

A mobile machine having a machine frame with a first side and a second side. A stabilizer leg is located at each of the first and second sides of the machine frame, and is movable between a first ground-engaging position and a second ground-engaging position. The stabilizer leg includes a first linkage, a second linkage, a third linkage, and a fourth linkage. A first end portion of the first linkage is pivotally connected to the machine frame, and a second end portion of the first linkage is pivotally connected to one end portion of the second linkage. A first end portion of the third linkage is connected to the machine frame via the fourth linkage, and a second end portion of the third linkage is connected to the one end portion of the second linkage. A recessed area of the third linkage is adapted to receive the first linkage when the stabilizer leg is in the first ground engaging position. The first linkage is adapted to move out of the recessed area to define a spaced relationship between top portions of the first and third linkages so that the third linkage is located at a bottom portion of the first linkage when the stabilizer leg is in the second ground-engaging position.

Multiple position stabilizer leg

Replaceable wear members used in the past have usually includes shortcomings which have caused the product to be less than desirable. The present system for attaching a wear member to a parent member provides many advantages over the past configurations. For example, the unique configuration of the mounting base and wear member include cooperating slide and place engagement elements for mounting purposes. Also, a unique low profile retainer is used to retain the wear member, which allows for more use of the wear member before replacement is required, thus resulting is less throw-away material.

Wear member attachment system

A tip assembly for an edge of an implement of a work machine includes an adapter secured to the edge of the implement. The adapter has an adapter aperture extending therethrough. The tip assembly also includes an implement tip having a tip aperture extending therethrough, the implement tip is positioned relative to the adapter such that the adapter aperture and the tip aperture align to form a passageway. The tip assembly further includes a sleeve subassembly positioned within the passageway. The sleeve subassembly includes (i) a first member, (ii) an intermediate member, and (iii) a second member. In addition, the tip assembly includes a fastener mechanically coupled to the sleeve subassembly wherein rotation of the fastener causes (i) the intermediate member to move in a first direction, and (ii) the first and second members to move in a second direction so as to tightly secure the sleeve subassembly within the adapter aperture.

Growing community of inventors

East Peoria, IL, United States of America

John L Bender