AGM 240 Power Frames

Locking Differentials

Mr. Conrado

Introduction
This lesson discusses methods employed to override undesirable differential action. When the differential is locked up, both of the axles will be driven at the same speed regardless of wheel conditions.

Locking Differentials
This differential can be locked or unlocked with the differential switch in the cab. The operator should lock the differential anytime the machine is being operated in a straight line. This transfers all of the torque to all wheels under all traction conditions. The differential can be unlocked for turns in order to reduce the turning radius and tire wear.

Locking Differentials
The differential has a clutch between the left side gear and the differential housing. When the differential is locked, a solenoid will allow oil flow behind the clutch piston to engage the clutch. The clutch will be engaged and left side gear will rotate at the speed of the rotating housing. The differential pinion gears will not rotate on their axes because the spider and the side gear rotate at the same speed. The differential pinion gears will hold the other side gear. Both of the axle shafts will turn at the speed of the rotating housing.

Locking Differentials
When the differential is unlocked, the solenoid will block the flow to the clutch pack and both of the side gears can turn freely. Locking differentials force one of the side gears to rotate with the differential housing. This causes the differential to act like a solid axle and transmit all of the torque to both of the wheels. This causes both wheels to rotate at the same speed, regardless of traction.

Jaw Clutch
Some locking differentials use jaw clutches. The operator engages the jaw clutch when a wheel is slipping. By using a pedal or a switch to lock the differential. Jaw Clutch The operator determines when the differential lock is needed.

Jaw Clutch
The operator should lower the engine speed and not spin the wheel while engaging the differential lock. Engaging the jaw clutch at high speeds can cause damage to the differential. The operator should not attempt to turn while the jaw clutch is engaged. Sometimes the operator will hear the jaw clutches hitting each other. If that happens, the operator should lower the engine speed to let the jaw clutches engage.

Jaw Clutch
The jaw clutch connects one of the side gears to the differential housing. The differential pinion gears will not rotate on their axes because the spider and the side gear rotate at the same speed. The differential pinion gears will hold the other side gear. Both of the axle shafts will turn at the speed of the rotating housing. When the differential is unlocked, springs will push the jaw clutch apart and both of the side gears can turn freely.

Backhoe Loaders
In Backhoe Loaders, the jaw clutch is engaged by pushing down on a foot pedal. This motion is transmitted through a mechanical linkage and results in a constant torque on a lock lever. The lock lever causes a fork to push the coupling on the side gear into the adapter on the differential housing. When the two halves of the jaw clutch are pushed together, one side gear will be locked to the differential housing.

Backhoe Loaders
After full engagement has occurred, the differential lock pedal should be released. The power that is transferred from one wheel to the other wheel results in a side force. This side force will keep the jaw clutch engaged. When the power becomes more equally distributed, the side force will reduce. The jaw clutch will disengage automatically due to the reduced side force.

Wheel Tractor Scrapers

In Wheel Tractor Scrapers, air is used to engage the jaw clutch. One half of the jaw clutch is splined to the differential housing. The other half of the jaw clutch is fastened to the left axle shaft. In older Wheel Tractor Scrapers, the operator can engage the jaw clutch by pushing down on a foot pedal. In newer Wheel Tractor Scrapers, the operator engages the jaw clutch by pushing a switch. When the pedal or switch is released, the jaw clutch will release.

Wheel Tractor Scrapers

When the pedal is depressed or the switch is pushed, a differential lock valve will allow air to flow behind a piston. The piston will push the jaw that is connected to the axle shaft so that it contacts the jaw that is connected to the differential housing. When the two halves of the jaw clutch are pushed together, one axle shaft will be locked to the differential housing. When the pedal is released or when the switch is released, the pressure air will not flow behind the piston. The spring will push the two halves of the jaw clutch apart.

Limited Slip Differential

A limited slip differential is designed to provide equal power to both wheels until the ground conditions cause a variance in traction between the left and right wheel. It contains two multidisc clutches. Each clutch connects a side gear to the rotating housing. A small clearance is specified during the assembly of the limited slip differential to ensure proper clutch engagement. Both wheels will be driven at equal torque and speed during straight operation if good traction is available beneath both wheels.

Limited Slip Differential

In a standard differential, if the machine is jacked up and one wheel is held or braked, the other wheel turns correspondingly faster. With a limited slip differential, the clutches make this more difficult by a factor that increases proportionally to the input torque. The locking effect happens due to internal friction of the differential. When a speed difference at the axles occurs, the separating forces inside the differential will cause the compression of the clutch packs. This causes torque in the faster wheel to be redirected to the wheel with better traction.

Limited Slip Differential

When a turn is needed, the forces from the wheels are sufficient to overcome the clutch packs. This design is used due to space limitations. In this design, the gear tooth separating forces are used to apply the clutches.

Spider
The spider shown consists of three shafts. The long shaft holds two differential pinion gears. Two half length shafts each hold one differential pinion gear.

Connector
The ends of the three shafts meet at a connector. Internal slack is present because this type of connection is used instead of a direct connection, and allows gear tooth separating forces to be felt.

Spider
Each spider shaft is inserted into the connector through the rotating housing and through the differential pinion gears. Three dowels are used to fasten the shafts to the rotating housing.

Side Gear
One side gear sits on top of the connector and differential pinion gears. The other sits below the connector and differential pinion gears. The differential pinion gears mesh with the side gears. The face of the side gear shown is the contact surface for the clutch pack. When a speed difference is present, gear tooth separating forces push the side gears axially toward the clutch packs. The axial forces compress the clutch packs.

Discs and Plates

The discs are splined to the side gears. The plates are connected to the rotating housing. The amount of torque used to compress the clutch packs is called the braking torque. The braking torque is load dependent and is proportional to the amount of input torque. When the clutch is engaged on the faster axle, the total input torque will increase. All torque above the braking torque is transferred to the slower wheel. Therefore, the limited slip differential provides a torque split when the clutches are engaged.

Shims
Shims are used to set clearance when necessary.

Lab Homework