CAPACITOR 5375245 - Caterpillar

Illustration 1 g01296807
Steering clutch (1) Bevel gear shaft (2) Hub (3) Piston (4) Friction discs (5) Pressure plate (6) Clutch plates (7) Inner drum of the steering clutch (8) Inner springs (9) Outer springsThe bevel gear and the steering clutches are in the bevel gear and steering clutch case. The bevel gear case is the reservoir for the power train and steering hydraulic systems. As the bevel gear turns, lubricant is thrown on the bevel gear, on the bevel pinion and on the steering clutches. The bearings for the bevel gear shaft are lubricated from the steering control valve.The steering clutches are operated independently by the steering clutch hydraulic control valve. The machine will turn in the direction of the clutch that is released.Splines connect both ends of bevel gear shaft (1) to drive hub (2). The drive hubs are fastened to inner drums (7) of the steering clutches. Teeth connect clutch plates (6) to the inner drums. Teeth connect friction discs (4) to the outer drums that are part of the final drives.When a steering clutch is engaged, the force of springs (8) and (9) keeps pressure plate (5), clutch plates (6) and friction discs (4) against inner drum (7). The flow of power to inner drum (7) is from the bevel gear through the bevel gear shaft. The inner drum turns clutch plates (6). The clutch plates turn friction discs (4). The friction discs turn the outer drum. The steering clutches are normally engaged. The steering clutches are engaged by springs and released by hydraulic pressure.When a steering clutch is released, pressure oil from the hydraulic controls for the steering clutches moves piston (3) toward the outside of the machine. The piston pushes on the spring retainer. The spring retainer compresses springs (8) and (9). At the same time, the spring retainer pushes pressure plate (5) toward the outside of the machine. The pressure plate separates from clutch plates (6) and from friction discs (4). The clutch plates and friction discs are not held together. Power is not transmitted from the inner drum to the outer drum. Power is not transmitted through the final drive to the track.