Development of Shoe Slip Control System for Ripping Application on Bulldozers

<div class="htmlview paragraph">Operations involving excavation of bedrock in large-scale civil engineering projects, or quarrying works for limestone or crushed rock can be broadly divided into two methods: blasting, and excavation using mechanical power. Ripping operation using bulldozers is typical example of the second method, and this method is superior because it is safe and does not cause pollutions. For this reason, its applicable range is being expanded including areas where the blasting method was being used.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">However, ripping operation using bulldozers demands a high level of training from the operator, and in addition to this, shoe slippage causes premature wear of the undercarriage and low fuel economy.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">The shoe slip control system that we have developed carries out sensing of the acceleration of the machine in forward and reverse directions, and sensing of the input / output speed of the torque converter, and in this way it always knows the traction and the slip ratio of the machine. The system then acts to control the power to a suitable lever so that it always matches the ground conditions.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">The realization of this shoe slip control system has brought a dramatic improvement in the life of the the undercarriage and ease of operation in the ripping work.</div>