Function of Front Axle 1. Steering Please see “Steering System”. 2. Reduce the angle of scraper blade and the variation of ascend and descend displacement The front axle is installed in the center of frame, so it can swing 16 degrees. As the swing of balanced housing, when front wheel gets across one object or falls into one pit, the front axle can limit the ascend and descend displacement variation of scraper blade to minimum. Please see the figure. When the front wheel gets across one object (Height = H), the middle point of front axle increases by 2/H. due to the swing of front axle, the scraper blade just increases by 4/H while keeping flat.
Just because the front axle can swing from left to right (16°), then the scraper blade can be kept in stable status. 3. Prevent the front wheel from side sliding (Side Incline System) The front wheel can incline left and right, namely the incline system, which can protect the front wheel from sliding to side and reducing the turning radius. Use the operation of scraper blade with propulsive angle is the often practice in the operation of grader. The side slid force result from the propulsive angle applies into the scraper blade, which will result in the side sliding. The ratio of distributed weight in the front and rear axle is about 3:7.
When the scraper blade cuts into the ground, the load of front wheel increases, which is easy to result in the side slid of front wheel. To react such side slid, the side incline of front wheel makes them more rigid. The change of load center of front axle and center of gravity of machine can prevent the side sliding. 20-61