Caterpillar Inc.

Todd M Weier

Corwin Eugene Storer

Douglas James Carlton

Steven A Daniel

Norval P Thomson

Daniel Peter Sergison

Robert E Stone

A rear wheel drive assist for an articulated machine such as a wheel tractor scraper, the machine including a first frame section having a first longitudinal axis, a second frame section with a second longitudinal axis, the first and second frame sections being pivotally connected to an articulation hitch, and an articulation sensor configured to provide an articulation angle signal indicative of an articulation angle formed between the first and second longitudinal axes. The rear wheel drive assist includes a drive motor operatively connected to the rear wheel of the machine, and a controller configured to control operation of the rear wheel drive assist based upon the articulation angle signal.

Rear wheel drive assist with articulation based speed modulation

A wheel tractor scraper having a rear wheel drive assist, the wheel tractor scraper includes a tractor portion pivotally coupled to a rear scraper portion, the rear scraper portion having a bowl for hauling material and a fluid powered work tool configured to assist in loading the bowl, the work tool powered by a fluid pump connected to a fluid operated work tool motor. The rear wheel drive assist includes a fluid operated drive motor coupled to the rear wheels of the machine, a diverter valve having a first position at which fluid flow is delivered from the pump to the work tool motor and a second position at which fluid flow is delivered from the pump to the drive motor, and a controller being configured to control the diverter valve to engage the rear wheel drive assist. The machine may be operated by engaging the pump and work tool motor, and then actuating the diverter valve to the second position to divert flow from the work tool motor to the drive motor.

Wheel tractor scraper rear wheel drive assist and method of operation

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Todd M Weier